The first flight of the Canadian airline WestJet arrived a few days ago in Roatán with more than 130 tourists from Canada, thus inaugurating a direct route that will boost tourism in this paradisiacal island of the Honduran Caribbean.
Government ministers of President Juan Orlando Hernández, local authorities and tourism businessmen received the inaugural WestJet flight at Juan Manuel Gálvez de Roatán Airport. The more than 130 tourists from Canada, who were received to the rhythm of Garifuna music, during their stay will enjoy the Honduran cuisine and the natural beauties that Roatán offers.
Being proud of Honduras
“We are very excited to be here and we are very proud that Honduras is because this is the first flight from Canada and we are very happy to bring Canadians here”, said WestJet representative Robert Palmer.
He stressed that “Roatán is a wonderful earthly paradise” and that “you have a rich culture, white sand beaches; Canadians love to get out of the cold weather and you also have a rich history”. “We are proud to be the first area to bring Canadians here”, Palmer commented.
One of the passengers on the flight, Toronto-based Honduran Wilmer Avila, said it was “an excellent 4 hour-flight” . “Roatán is beautiful. Well, all of Honduras is beautiful. Canadians are happy, even on the plane they put on top music”, he added.
A dream come true
Tourism Minister Nicole Marrder said that “we are very happy to see this dream come true. It has been a teamwork of many institutions; the private company has played an important role and we also recognize the work of Civil Aviation to facilitate the arrival of WestJet”.
“This is a good injection of new tourists. This is the first direct flight from Canada to Honduras. We will be making efforts so that they not only know Roatán Island but also know Utila Island”, he added.
Grand opening in tourism
The Presidential Commissioner of Social Tourism and Air Connectivity, Emilio Silvestri, who represented President Hernández in welcoming WestJet, said this is Canada’s first regular flight to Honduras.
He emphasized that “this moment fills us with satisfaction and joy. We have to congratulate the private sector that has worked in recent months and closed the deal, making alliances between hotels and the airline”. The official said that this initiative represents a great opening of the tourism market with Canadians, “which, in recent years, has had spectacular growth”.
The mayor of Roatán, Jerry Hynds, pointed out that the presence of WestJet sends a powerful message to Roatán regarding tourism. “It is a positive impact, we have always had Canadian tourists, but with connections from all over the world, but this direct flight sends a positive message”, said the mayor.
Roatán: Destination in the Caribbean
The airline is covering the route between Toronto and Roatán with 1 weekly flight, from December 15th, 2019, to April 19th, 2020; It will leave Toronto Pearson International Airport at 9:30 am (Canadian time) and land on the Honduran island paradise about 4 hours later, adding one more destination to its 14 Caribbean routes.
WestJet will operate the route with a Boeing 737 airplane with a premium and economic section; it will provide the accumulation and redemption of WestJet Rewards along with additional benefits for first-rate WestJet Rewards members.
WestJet Airlines Ltd. is a Canadian low-cost airline, based in Calgary (Alberta). It operates regular and charter flights to 90 destinations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. In the inaugural event of the flight also participated the Minister of Investments, Luis Mata, and the president of the National Chamber of Tourism of Honduras, a chapter of Bay Islands, Synthia Solomon, among others.
Tourism is a priority for the Government of President Hernández, for which the conditions have been created to boost the area with better infrastructure and security, in addition to financing the creation of local capacities and welfare for the communities.