Royal Caribbean just inked a deal to build a $30 million extension to
the island's cruise terminal, while Carnival is spending $50 million on
its own port of call, which it says can handle as many as 7,000
passengers daily when it opens in 2009. Near the port will be new developed real estate featuring condos, shopping centers, and more!
Following the lead of other Caribbean islands, Roatán is now a duty-free zone -- a huge draw for hotel developers. Last winter, Continental launched a nonstop flight from Newark, N.J., cutting a 10-hour-plus trip with several connections to about five hours.
For now, Roatan remains a throwback. There are no major chain hotels. Most resorts have two dozen rooms or fewer, and many are locally owned. Stay on the island more than a few days and you'll probably start to recognize the people huddled around Sundowners beachside bar around 6 p.m., drinking frozen Monkey La Las, a blend of Kahlua, ice cream, coconut cream and usually vodka.
John Tercek, vice president of commercial development for Royal Caribbean, says a major factor for the company was that other ports in the western Caribbean, like Cozumel, are nearing capacity, with 15 ships on busy days, compared with one or two in Roatan. Also, he says, "people like to be able to brag at a cocktail party, 'I've been to some place that you haven't.' "
courtesy of Candace Jackson
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