Cataño wants to create gastronomic tourism zone

Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo

By The Star Staff

Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo has passionately voiced his support for transforming the picturesque waterfront of his municipality into a designated “Gastronomic Tourism Zone.”

The ambitious proposal, detailed in House Bill 335, is currently under careful scrutiny by the island House of Representatives. During a public hearing held on Thursday, Alicea Vasallo appeared before the House Tourism Committee, chaired by Rep. Axel “Chino” Roque Gracia, to advocate for the transformative measure. He characterized the initiative as a “logical and strategic” move designed to propel economic development in the area, which attracts some 6,500 visitors every weekend.

“The concept is already in place,” Alicea Vasallo emphasized. “Gaining approval from this committee will grant the waterfront a distinct identity and encourage the Tourism Company and other state entities to approach this project with the seriousness it deserves, bolstered by the weight of law.”

The waterfront, known as the Edwin Rivera Sierra Malecón, is a vibrant hub of cultural activity, home to over 25 diverse restaurants offering a variety of culinary styles. It boasts a commanding view of the Bay of San Juan, complemented by historic infrastructure.

Alicea Vasallo highlighted the safety of the area, declaring it “one of the safest places in Puerto Rico,” which he said has seen no criminal incidents during the multitude of festivals and events held there. The mayor pointed out that the waterfront is under constant surveillance, monitored round-the-clock by a network of cameras linked to the Municipal Police Barracks, reinforcing crime prevention measures and ensuring peace of mind for visitors.

The legislation behind this initiative was introduced by Rep. Pedro “Pellé” Santiago Guzmán last February, with the aim of creating incentives and effecting structural improvements in the gastronomic sector, gaining the backing of the Tourism Company and the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC). The legislative effort also seeks to deliver substantial economic benefits to culinary entrepreneurs in the area, fostering investment in new business ventures while strengthening existing establishments.