The executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), Terestella Gonzalez Denton, on behalf of Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila, announced that 10 historic coffee plantations, known as haciendas, will form part of the Island’s newly designated Coffee Zone following certification by the Department of Agriculture and the PRTC. The plantations are in the towns of Jayuya, San Sebastian, Ponce, Adjuntas, Las Marias and Lares. Mrs. Gonzalez Denton also introduced a new seal of quality for the island’s coffee. The designation of the new Coffee Zone is intended to stimulate agro-tourism and draw attention to a local industry that generates 60 million dollars a year for the island’s gross domestic product. Further, the new Coffee Zone offers tourists an alternative attraction to visit in the Island where they can commune with nature and explore a lush, mountainous region. “Puerto Rico’s coffee growers are now an integral part of our agro-tourism offering as they will welcome tourists to their plantations and offer them an authentic experience,” said Gonzalez Denton. The Executive Director also pointed out that the Coffee Zone will form part of PRTC marketing efforts for the island’s Porta del Sol (West Coast) and Porta Caribe (South) regions and there is a plan in place to promote coffee tourism in upcoming events. |