Municipal groups urge gov’t to promote tourism in towns

Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez

By The Star Staff

Organizations representing mayors and city officials in Puerto Rico are urging government agencies to promote tourism across all 78 towns and cities on the island.

After concluding a week of activities at the Conference on Community Empowerment and Opportunities in the Municipal Tourism Industry in Puerto Rico held in New York, members of the Puerto Rico Mayors Federation and Mayors Association expressed the need for a shift in the public policy of the Tourism Company. They emphasized the importance of targeted promotion that showcases the unique offerings and attractions of each municipality.

“The promotion of the island should not be limited to beaches and hotels; it must encompass all types of tourist attractions and facilities available across the seventy-eight towns,” Aguada Mayor Christian Cortés Feliciano, who represented the Mayors Association at the forum. “Each municipality has something valuable to offer, from delightful culinary experiences and museums to historical sites and unique accommodations like inns and guesthouses. For instance, in Aguada, we have the Central Coloso, a historic sugar mill, and the story of the discovery of Puerto Rico. There are countless places for tourists to visit in each municipality that should be promoted by the Tourism Authority [sic], particularly by the Discover Puerto Rico Department of Tourism (DMO), which manages the majority of the budget for promoting Puerto Rico overseas. In this context, the marketers behind various campaigns should seek our input to ensure that all towns can benefit.”

The Municipal Tourism event recognized the CAMPOFRESCO company, producer of time-honored Lotus Juice, and celebrated Piña Colada Day in New York.

Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez highlighted her city’s diverse tourist attractions that cater to various visitor interests.

“In addition to the Ponce Pumping Station and the prestigious Ponce Art Museum, we have countless locations that draw tourists,” she said. “Ponce’s greatest asset is its people, contributing to a collaborative effort that encourages visitors to return. Notable attractions include Serrallés Castle, Caja de Muertos Island, La Cruceta del Vigía, La Guancha, Hacienda Buena Vista, and Plaza de las Delicias, among many others.”

Mayors Federation President and Camuy Mayor Gabriel “Gaby” Hernández Rodríguez added that island mayors “are committed to enhancing the attractions in their respective municipalities.”

“Camuy is known for promoting ecotourism, highlighted by the Camuy River Cave Park and the Peñón Amador beach area, alongside sites like Cueva Clara, the Old Bazaar, Los Almendros Beach, and El Calvario Church,” he said. “Our administration has officials dedicated to managing groups who come to explore the town. We are also working on several infrastructure projects that will further enrich Camuy’s tourism offerings. However, I must note that all neighboring towns are attractive destinations for any tourist or convention group visiting us.”

Entrepreneur María Vann Reyes, owner of Tienda Sesto -- the oldest craft store in Puerto Rico, located in Aguadilla -- advocated for increased government support to help artisans market their products. Meanwhile, Jorge Echevarría, a community environmental leader in Puerto Rico, urged mayors and legislators to reconsider their support for projects that threaten sites of significant archaeological value and the habitats of endangered species. He cited the rapid deterioration of the environmental significance of La Parguera de Lajas, where the Phosphorescent Bay is at risk of vanishing. He also expressed concern about the development of the Esencia Project in Cabo Rojo, which he said could devastate an area rich in archaeological and ecological importance.

The travel company A & A Tours emphasized the necessity of providing convention groups interested in visiting the island with comprehensive information about all municipalities’ offerings.

“The thousands of conventioneers who come to us share a common desire: they want to explore the rest of the island beyond San Juan,” stated Carlos Castellano, A & A’s director of corporate development. “We must expand our attractions for tourists and engage the entire community to ensure that visitors feel welcomed during their stay.”