Utila – Managing Its Tourism Challenges

Just 11 miles long and two miles wide, Utila is the smallest of Honduras' Caribbean Bay Islands.

Because the world's second longest reef runs along Utila, it's a major destination for scuba divers.

Whale sharks are protected in Honduras, and Utila is one of the few places that they can be seen year round.

A former pirates' refuge, Utila retains a small-town feel. But that's threatened by the growth of tourism and plans for new resort hotels.

We are helping Utila and other members of the Sustainable Destinations Alliance of the Americas to manage challenges posed by tourism.

Recycling, rainwater catchment, a coastal erosion study and improved access to tourist attractions are Utila's immediate priorities.