Workshop on National Tourism Registry and Hotel Certification
By José Antonio Pérez
Aug. 17, 2017. Representatives from the Sonora Tourism Promotion Commission (COFETUR) led a training workshop this past week on the importance of the National Tourism Registry and Hotel Classification as a tool to establish communication among businesses while providing more information about the tourism market. Registered businesses become part of a Digital Platform of a public catalog of tourist service providers, promoted worldwide by the Secretary of Tourism. Registry is free though obligatory for hotels and businesses who provide tourism services. More information at: Registro Nacional de Turismo
Preparations for Firefighters Day Celebrations
By José Antonio Pérez
Aug. 16, 2017. The more than 60 members of the Puerto Peñasco Fire Department are readying plans to celebrate Día del Bombero between Aug. 21st – 22nd. Activities include delivery of a new ambulance, firefighter competitions, and a friendly gathering, along with public recognition of those who are part of the Fire Department. This will be the 43rd anniversary of the Fire Department in Puerto Peñasco, and will also be celebrated with a simple program to include a mass of thanksgiving, along with a breakfast put on for the department and their families.
Funds from Rio Colorado Bridge Trust to Benefit Puerto Peñasco
By José Antonio Pérez
August, 2017. The municipal administration has in mind at least four projects stemming from the 18 million pesos authorized from the Rio Colorado Bridge Trust, reported Terencio Gutiérrez Valenzuela, Coordinator of Public Works, Urban Development, Ecology, and Public Services. These include the repaving of Ave. Sinaloa, city signage, remodeling of the malecón, and complete rehabilitation of the pedestrian bridge located at the intersection of Calle 13 and Blvd, Juarez, along with rehabilitating part of Blvd. Josefa Ortiz. Gutiérrez Valenzuela believed funds from the Bridge Trust would be available by October in order to proceed with the bidding process for the projects, with sights set on beginning work before the end of the year.
Harbor Master reports on 2017 Summer season
By José Antonio Pérez
August, 2017. With only two minor incidents between seafaring vehicles, without serious injuries to report, Harbor Master Luis Castro Galán stated the 2017 Summer tourism season unfolded without any serious mishaps. From June through the beginning of August, the two incident reports included an accident between two jetskis and one between a jetski and a panga (small fishing boat), though fortunately neither with serious consequences. Given the high volume of tourism throughout the summer, he added, steps were taken to ensure service providers complied with requirements to guarantee the safety of boat passengers. Additional steps included that of allowing operation of jetskis, banana boats, etc. only between 8 am – 7 pm, and enforcing security measures at sea.
Mexico – US – China to strategize on combating totoaba trafficking
By José Antonio Pérez
Aug. 16, 2017. The fist Trilateral Meeting between China, the United States, and Mexico to combat trafficking of the endangered totoaba is scheduled to take place Aug. 23 – 25 in Ensenada, Baja California. The session, organized by the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), Federal Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), and the Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR), anticipates more than 40 governmental officials and authorities from the fields of the environment, fishing, customs, trade, and national security in seeking to enforce strategies coordinated by the three nations. The bladder of the endangered totoaba continues to be a highly sought commodity on the Chinese black market.