PCM-061-2021

This decree creates the "Caribbean Fortress" Tourist District on Honduras' northern coast, integrating the municipalities of San Pedro Sula, Puerto Cortés, and Omoa. It instructs the Tourism Ministry to develop a strategic plan to boost tourism, employment, and economic development while protecting the area's cultural and natural heritage.

Whereas, in accordance with Article 245, sections 2, 11, and 45 of the Constitution of the Republic, it is incumbent upon the President of the Republic to exercise the General Administration of the State, and among his other powers, to direct the General Policy of the State and represent it, to issue Agreements, Decrees, and to enact Regulations and Resolutions in accordance with the Law, as well as the other powers conferred upon him by the Constitution and the Laws.

Whereas, in accordance with Article 6, third paragraph of the General Law of Public Administration as reformed by Legislative Decree No. 266-2013, the President of the Republic must take the measures that are necessary to ensure that the plans, policies, projects, and programs are fulfilled, for which purpose he may create or modify the instances of strategic direction that he deems necessary and, when appropriate, may utilize pertinent private law organizations to achieve the objectives of the nation plan and the strategic plans derived from it, as well as the continuity of the policies, projects, and programs that are mandatory for successive governments.

Whereas, in accordance with what is established in Article 11 of the General Law of Public Administration, the President of the Republic has under his charge the supreme direction and coordination of Centralized and Decentralized Public Administration. The President of the Republic, in the exercise of his functions, may act by himself or in Council of Ministers.

Whereas, in accordance with Article 117 of the General Law of Public Administration, acts shall be issued by Decree that, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic, secondary laws, or regulations, are exclusive to the President of the Republic or must be issued in Council of State Secretaries.

Whereas, Honduras is a country founded on its cultural and historical wealth, which manifests the natural and architectural beauty of its peoples and communities, as well as the diversity of its tangible and intangible cultural offerings.

Whereas, in our country there exists a set of peoples and localities with high tourism potential that can be utilized through public policies based on inter-institutional coordination among the different institutions, both public and private.

Whereas, the Tourism Industry is declared as a priority factor for the development of the country, by Executive Decree Number PCM-011-2014 published in the Official Journal "La Gaceta" on May 3, 2014, Edition number 33,417, as a Socio-Economic activity that promotes development through the conservation, protection, and comprehensive use of national tourism resources.

Whereas, by Executive Decree Number PCM-14-2018, published in the Official Journal "La Gaceta" on April 10, 2018, Edition number 34,612, the Secretariat of State in the Office of Tourism was created, which has charge of the policies and activities related to tourism as an economic activity that promotes the development of the country.

Whereas, it is an inescapable purpose of the Government of the Republic to promote and encourage tourist activity in the Northern zone of the country, with the objective of conserving and protecting cultural and natural heritage, converting this zone into a pole of tourism development and job creation.

Whereas, the Department of Cortés possesses tourist destinations such as San Pedro Sula with a broad offer of business and event tourism, Puerto Cortés and Omoa with sun and beach, natural, historical, and cultural wealth. Given that: The State of Honduras ratified ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, in which the right of indigenous peoples to maintain and strengthen their own cultures, ways of life, and institutions guarantees the right to decide their own priorities regarding the development process, beliefs and spiritual well-being, and the lands they occupy, to the extent possible, their own economic, social, and cultural development, which provides in Article 6(b) "To establish the means through which the peoples concerned may participate freely, at least to the same extent as other sectors of the population and at all levels in the adoption of decisions in elective institutions and administrative and other bodies responsible for policies and programs that concern them." Given that: Honduras subscribed to and adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, since it is an opportunity for the country and its societies to embark on a new path to improve the defense of our environment and the design of our cities, as provided in objective 11 "Sustainable Cities and Communities," implying a common and universal commitment since the country faces specific challenges in pursuit of sustainable development as it has full sovereignty over its wealth, resources, and economic activity; and setting its own goals by redoubling efforts to protect and safeguard the cultural and natural heritage of the world.

Whereas, in Article 2 of the Plan for Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples (PPIAH), governments must assume the responsibility of developing, with the participation of the peoples concerned, a coordinated and systematic action with a view to protecting the rights of those peoples and ensuring respect for their integrity. This action shall include measures: a) that ensure the members of such peoples enjoy, on an equal basis, the rights and opportunities that national legislation grants to other members of the population; b) that promote the full effectiveness of the social, economic, and cultural rights of those peoples, respecting their social and cultural identity, their customs and traditions, and their institutions; c) that help the members of the peoples concerned to eliminate the socioeconomic differences that may exist between indigenous members and other members of the national community, in a manner compatible with their aspirations and ways of life.