Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) has published plans to launch a new tourism region, named Porte Atlantico, on the north coast of the Caribbean island.

The region will capitalise on its major tourism attractions, the Rio Camuy Cave Park, the third-largest cave system in the world, and the Arecibo Observatory (pictured), home to the planet’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope and a filming location for Bond movie Goldeneye.

It will also be home to the first six star hotel on the island, the Dorado Beach Ritz Carlton Reserve, which opens in December 2012.

Announced by PRTC executive director, Mario Gonzalez Lafuente, the tourist region comprises of the Camuy, Hatillo, Arecibo, Barceloneta, Manati, Vega Baja, Vega Alta, Dorado and Toa Alta municipalities.

“The process of launching a tourism region like Porta Atlantico was a coordinated effort between the municipalities.

“It guarantees job creation and long-term economic development for the region,” indicated Gonzalez Lafuente.

“The municipal support, in partnership with the private sector, represents millions of dollars invested into new hotel projects and tourist attractions.”

The private sector has also committed to investing in Porta Atlantico, with the Holiday Inn Travel Plaza in Arecibo investing $18 million, The Hyatt Place in Manati a total of $37 million, the Wyndham Barceloneta close to the Premium Outlets an investment of $35 million. 

These investments have been further boosted by the development of the Dorado Beach Ritz Carlton Reserve, the first six star hotel in Puerto Rico.

“The Ritz Carlton Reserve represents an investment of $342 million and will be one of the largest hotel developments in Puerto Rico, further improving the tourism offer for the municipal of Dorado,” concluded Gonzalez Lafuente.