This five-year project focuses on the development of sustainable strategies for tourism development and management in the El Yunque region, in collaboration with local institutions and actors. As El Yunque National Forest plans for future long-term tourism and recreational opportunities for Route 186 in the northwest section of the forest, Cornell’s Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Program (STAMP) will provide technical assistance and training to tourism professionals and Puerto Rican businesses to develop a regional destination management plan that fosters a new generation of sustainable business opportunities and a measurable long-term plan for the sustainable development of the region.
To achieve this, in 2025 Cornell will launch several sustainable tourism assessments in the Northeast region that combine geospatial planning, sustainable infrastructure analysis, alternative tourism markets and supply chain analysis, and tourism policy and governance research. This will give a series of reports that will guide the planning of tourism development in the region in the future.
The program will be forming a Collaborative Steering Committee with local actors from key organizations to guide this work. Para la Naturaleza has been invited to be part of this Steering Committee as an active collaborator with significant interests in the eastern area of Puerto Rico and El Yunque National Forest, including the Palo Colorado Station.
Para la Naturaleza will be represented by Kathy Rodríguez from the Development Unit and Cristian Ortega, Interpretation Coordinator for the Palo Colorado Station. The Collaborative Steering Committee will provide strategic insight, feedback, and guidance as sustainable tourism assessments are conducted. Their collective experiences and perspectives will help shape and guide the work, ensuring that each report reflects local needs. This approach will also help streamline interaction with local actors. The objective of the Steering Committee is that the input of the members and communities of the El Yunque Forest is valued and integrated into the work.
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