PCM-062-2021

This decree establishes the "Caribbean Emerald" Tourist District in the departments of Atlántida and Colón to promote tourism, create jobs, and protect the cultural and natural heritage of the northern region. It directs the Tourism Secretary to develop a strategic plan with local governments, public entities, and private companies to build sustainable tourist centers.

That in accordance with Article 245, numerals 2, 11, and 45 of the Constitution of the Republic, it corresponds to the President of the Republic the General Administration of the State, being among other his attributions, to direct the General Policy of the State and represent it, issue Agreements, Decrees and issue Regulations and Resolutions in accordance with the Law, as well as the others conferred upon him by the Constitution and the Laws.

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

That in accordance with what is established in Article 11 of the General Law of Public Administration, the President of the Republic has in his charge the supreme direction and coordination of the 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.

That in accordance with Article 117 of the General Law of Public Administration, acts 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 Secretaries of State shall be issued by Decree.

That 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.

That in our country there exists a set of towns and localities with high tourism potential that can be harnessed through public policies founded on inter-institutional coordination among different institutions, both public and private.

That through Executive Decree number PCM-011-2014 published in the Official Gazette "La Gaceta" on May 3, 2014, Edition number 33,417, the tourism industry was declared as a priority factor for the country's development, as a socioeconomic activity that promotes development through the conservation, protection, and comprehensive use of national tourism resources.

That the Tourism Industry is declared as a priority factor for the country's development through Executive Decree Number PCM-011-2014, published in the Official Gazette "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.

That through Executive Decree Number PCM-14-2018, published in the Official Gazette "La Gaceta" on April 10, 2018, Edition number 34,612, the Secretariat of State in the Office of Tourism was created, which is responsible for policies and activities related to tourism as an economic activity that promotes the country's development.

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

That the Department of Atlántida possesses a coastline with incomparable natural beauty, protected areas, natural, cultural and gastronomic attractions of its living cultures. WHEREAS: 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 cultures, ways of life and their own institutions, guarantees the right to decide their own priorities with respect to the development process, beliefs and spiritual well-being and to the lands they occupy to the extent possible their own economic, social and cultural development, which provides in article 6 subsection b) "To establish the means through which the interested peoples 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 bodies and other bodies responsible for policies and programs that concern them". WHEREAS: Honduras subscribed to and adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as it is an opportunity for the country and its societies to embark on a new path to improve the defense of our environment, or 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 the search for sustainable development as it has full sovereignty over its riches, resources and economic activity; and setting its own goals by redoubling efforts to protect and safeguard the cultural and natural heritage of the world".

That in Article 2 of the Plan for Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples (PPIAH), governments shall assume the responsibility of developing, with the participation of the interested peoples, a coordinated and systematic action aimed at protecting the rights of those peoples and ensuring respect for their integrity. This action shall include measures: a) that ensure the members of said peoples enjoy, on an equal footing, 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 members of the interested peoples 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.