Centroamérica Travel Market is the region’s most important tourism trade fair. It was held for its second year on October 10 and 11 in Panama, gathering representatives from the tourism industry throughout Central America. As part of a new strategy launched by the Central American Integration System, regional participants have agreed to present a joint multi-destinational tourism supply to European, Asian and other Latin American markets.

Each of the Tourism Ministers of Central America was present at the event, as was their Spanish counterpart Raimon Martinez.

The booth of the Honduran delegation was a hit with new offerings like the Lenca Route and packages in and around Tegucigalpa. The booth also featured performances of Caribbean dance by the Honduran National School of Dance – a style of dance that is growing increasingly popular, especially since CARIBFEST was held on Roatan in August, leaving thousands of visitors, local and foreign alike, wanting more of these Caribbean rhythms.

It was also announced that Honduras has been selected to host next year’s Centroamerica Travel Market. During the first week of October of 2006 more than 150 wholesalers and buyers of tourism packages will visit Honduras to explore first hand the country’s tourist destinations and the benefits offered by Honduras, said Kenia Lima, Marketing Manager at the Honduran Institute of Tourism.

Lima added that it is currently being decided whether to hold the event in San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa. The first Centroamerica Travel Market was held in Guatemala City in 2004.