Bay Islands to get free port status..

[booth22]

Heard something about this the other day- guessing its a good thing?

 

[Doc]

If you are among the monied class of Roatan residents.

For everyone else, eventually it will suck.

Have a look: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=182582

 

[booth22]

I'm wondering what will happen on places like Utila where there isn't a cruise ship dock?

 

[Doc]

There is no monied power base there. It will not be a free port.

Look- if you are pondering the future, look at what happened to the Bahamas, but put it in Y2k Hyperdrive.

Look at Nassau and Grand Bahama. These islands have felt the brunt of US Commercialization since the 50's. Look at what it has done.

Then consider the out islands. The effects are not as obvious- but they sure have gotten expensive in terms of real estate and living costs. But- then again, many of them didn't even have electricity 20 years ago.

Roatan, right now- has very spotty electricity. "Better" resorts have automated generator back up so your computers and hi-tech stuff barely flutters while you are in paradise.

Utila? I would go now. Soon, it will be too late. The "other" island, Guanaja? It was lucky to have been clobbered by Huricane Mitch in 1998... it set it forward ten years... into the stoneage. It got a repreive.

Go now!

 

[booth22]

We've been to both Roatan and Utila so we're taking advantage while we can. As for Utila not becoming a free port, I've heard different from folks on Roatan and Utila to the contrary, so we'll see what happens.

We enjoy Utila and hope it stays just how it is.

Perhaps you have some info on how this will affect daily life on the islands, I've heard once the free port status takes shape, the Bay Islands will become even more self sufficient than they are in regards to schools, police, etc. Not as much involvement from the mainland?

 

[adjuster-jd]

What is "free port status"?

 

[itsjustme0770]

We've been to both Roatan and Utila so we're taking advantage while we can. As for Utila not becoming a free port, I've heard different from folks on Roatan and Utila to the contrary, so we'll see what happens.

We enjoy Utila and hope it stays just how it is.

Perhaps you have some info on how this will affect daily life on the islands, I've heard once the free port status takes shape, the Bay Islands will become even more self sufficient than they are in regards to schools, police, etc. Not as much involvement from the mainland?

Certainly Utila will see effects from the Free Port status. This status has been conveyed to all of the Bay Islands, not just Roatan. I discussed this with Alton Cooper, the mayor of Utila in December. The political leaders of the Bay Islands are enthusiastic for, among many reasons, the ability to take greater control on the islands with less influence from the mainland and the fact that they will have direct contact with the president via a new ministerial position as opposed to competing with other locations in Honduras for attention from a single minister.

While Utila does not have a cruise ship dock (and hopefully never will), there are a number of projects underway which will benefit from the free port status. Utila will never be Roatan, but the above posts are right, it will change, the real question is how it is managed. Stay tuned.

 

[Doc]

What is "free port status"?

Like a TIF district, tax/duty exempt zones.

This can also apply to otherwise country-wide (national, universal) fees, such as landing fees, docking, wharfage, piloting and all of the other ways governments increase their booty.