By The Star Staff
The island House of Representatives this week unanimously approved (45-0) House Bill 1896, authored by Rep. Víctor Parés Otero, which declares Paraná and Winston Churchill avenues in San Juan as a “Gastronomic Tourism Route.”
“This is an advanced measure, which is aimed at supporting our small and medium-sized merchants, particularly those who are dedicated to preparing food, our restaurants,” the San Juan District 4 lawmaker said. “Paraná and Winston Churchill avenues, located in the Municipality of San Juan, have been characterized by the large number of restaurants that provide a varied gastronomic offering. Visiting these businesses has become a must-stop to enjoy the culinary delights. This bill is to market that offering to all Puerto Ricans, as well as to those who visit us from the nation and other countries.”
The bill also directs the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, alone or in conjunction with other public agencies or private entities, to develop the necessary marketing, promotion and regulatory plans to encourage the flow of visitors to the two avenues, which are among the busiest in the island capital.
The bill, which now goes to the Senate, is co-authored by the House Majority Leader Ángel Matos García.
Gastronomic tourism continues to grow steadily in jurisdictions where the government is developing routes that can become tourist circuits to be marketed by the private and public sectors.
Gastronomic tourism activities include, but are not limited to, dining at traditional food restaurants, visiting markets, visiting the local community, participating in local festivals, and participating in local cooking workshops. One of the objectives of the tourism strategy is to get to know and experience new flavors, aromas and culinary preparations.