As a result of Partnership efforts to develop the infrastructure and services for tourism and to get tourist information on the Reserve widely disseminated, visitor numbers in the Reserve have almost doubled during the past year, the quality of the visitor experience has dramatically improved, and local people are deriving direct financial benefits from a fledgling ecotourism industry. Following a drop in tourism as a result of Hurricane Mitch, DOI worked with the IHT to promote the Reserve as an adventure travel destination, and provided information to international tour operators and guides. A Partnership architect designed the structure in accordance with local tradition, materials and skills. The Partnership led negotiations on establishing a telecommunications system for the Reserve. Small lending and savings banks have been established in the villages of Cocobila, Batalla and Brus Laguna.
Businesses financed by loans from the banks include food and clothing stores.
Under terms of the program, women repay portions of the loans each week. New donors are assisting conservation in the Reserve. The Partnership has significantly improved inter-agency coordination and communication among the NGOs active in the Reserve and the Government of Honduras agencies responsible for its management. In November 1997, for example, representatives of the Partnership and the other projects in the Reserve agreed to a collaborative 1998 work plan for the Reserve. The work plan shows actions by all collaborators, combining the activities of the individual projects into a single cooperative strategy.