As part of efforts to promote the development of sustainable tourism on the Island, Deputy Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), Luis D. Muñiz Martínez, presented the Green Hotel Certificate of Sustainable Tourism to La Jamaca Guest House in La Parguera and the Agrotourism Certification to La Hacienda Muñoz.

“We congratulate these companies for their efforts in sustainable development on the Island. In order to achieve these certifications one must demonstrate genuine commitment to the environment and the community around them,” said Muñiz Martínez. “We want to spread the message of sustainable development in the tourism industry among companies that serve our visitors. Tourists appreciate when a company cares about its environment, which generally results in benefits for all parties and conservation of the environment.”

Sustainable tourism, as defined by the World Tourism Organization, satisfies the needs of tourists and regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities in the future. These efforts lead to the management of all resources to ensure economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes and biological diversity.

La Jamaca Guest House is located in the rural area of La Parguera in Lajas. It has 12 rooms and a natural environment that allows direct interaction with nature. La Hacienda Muñoz offers agrotourism tours, focusing on the history and production of coffee. The tour illustrates the coffee process from the beginning as a seed to a finished cup of coffee. The hacienda is located in the municipality of San Lorenzo and has 10 acres of land.