The Honduras Institute of Tourism is vying to solidify the country as a leading Central American destination for meeting planners.
The country’s newest convention center will debut in Copan next year, combining business with the very cultural Copan Maya Ruins, dubbed the “Athens of the Maya World” and named a UNESCO World Heritage site. This ancient Maya city is situated in the mountains and features neoclassical architecture and narrow cobblestone streets in addition to its popular location along the Honduran Coffee Route. Groups meeting here will be able to not only get a sense of the country’s history, but also tour local coffee farms and even spot exotic birds at Macaw Mountain Bird Park.
“With its location in charming and tranquil Copan, filled with culture and traditions, [Copan] is the ideal place in Latin America to host meetings and conventions,” says Maria Fernanda Welchez, marketing and sales director at Hotel Marina Copan. “For companies with offices in Central America, Copan is conveniently located a three-hour drive from San Salvador and Guatemala City and 2.5 hours from Honduras’ industrial capital: San Pedro Sula.”
Of course, the big news for meetings is the opening of the Marina Copan Convention Center in early 2019. With a capacity of up to 800 guests, the convention center will boast approximately 9,690 sf of air-conditioned, flexible meeting space as well as an outside area measuring 3,770 sf.
Groups visiting this cultural mecca can stay at the 49-room Hotel Marina Copan in addition to the Clarion Hotel Copan Ruinas and the Hotel Camino Maya. The convention center will offer transportation to and from the Hotel Marina Copan and will be located just minutes away from the ruins.
“The Marina Copan Convention Center’s unique design blends traditional Copan architectural elements and contemporary traits to bring a unique backdrop to any event,” concludes Welchez.
