Esta ley establece la Medalla al Mérito Turístico, otorgada por la Compañía de Turismo de Puerto Rico a individuos, comunidades, instituciones o negocios que se destaquen por sus servicios o acciones extraordinarias en beneficio del turismo, promoviendo campañas educativas y la buena imagen del país. La medalla tiene tres categorías (oro, plata y bronce) y se otorga una por año en cada categoría. La Compañía de Turismo establecerá los requisitos, parámetros y procedimientos para la selección de los galardonados.
(Approved March 13, 2004)
To establish the Tourism Medal of Merit to be granted by the Tourism Company to Puerto Ricans or foreigners who distinguish themselves through initiatives by rendering eminent services or extraordinary deeds in behalf of tourism, becoming models worthy of emulation by the community, and in turn, promote educational campaigns in behalf of tourist activities, and of the good image of the country.
Tourism is an important economic activity for Puerto Rico that generates more than sixty thousand $(60,000)$ direct and indirect jobs created by more than three million $(3,000,000)$ visitors from abroad who spend more than two billion $(2,000,000,000)$ dollars into our economy. Local tourism, in turn, contributes to improve of our life style by patronizing more than twelve thousand $(12,000)$ hotel rooms and inns, as well as restaurants and other local tourist attractions.
Education is essential to promote high quality tourism services. Training programs and educational campaigns contribute to create awareness in the citizenry of the importance of tourism, and are essential for the preservation of our natural resources and the development of sustainable tourism.
It is the responsibility of the State to highlight the deeds and initiatives of the citizens that contribute to the successful development of tourism.
In leading world tourism countries, such as Spain, medals, placards and other types of recognitions have been established through legislation that prescribes
criteria and procedures addressed to reward outstanding deeds in behalf of tourism. Therefore, it is the unavoidable duty of the Legislature of Puerto Rico to promote and adopt initiatives that stimulate the use of additional resources for a greater development of our local and external tourism.
The successful use of public relations initiatives such as the official recognition of persons and institutions for their great contribution to national and international tourism by countries that compete with our own in the tourist market makes it necessary to establish this resource in Puerto Rico.
Therefore, the Tourism Medal of Merit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is hereby established through this Act.
Section 1.- The "Tourism Medal of Merit" is hereby created, to be granted by the Tourism Company to reward those who render eminent services or perform extraordinary deeds in behalf of tourism in any of its branches, thus constituting models worthy of emulation by the community, and which in turn promote educational campaigns in behalf of tourist activities and the good image of the country; which may include individuals, communities, institutions or local businesses located or established in Puerto Rico.
Section 2.- The "Tourism Medal of Merit" shall have three (3) categories: gold, silver and bronze, and shall be limited to one per year in each category. The Company shall approve regulations to establish the requirements to be met by the recipients of these medals. Likewise, the parameters, criteria and procedures for the selection of the jurors who shall recommend potential candidates for this award shall be established thereby.
Section 3.- The Tourism Company is hereby empowered to grant the Medals of Merit in Tourism through a resolution to such effect of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Company of Puerto Rico as the official tourism entity, pursuant to the
procedures established in regulations that shall be adopted to such effects. Section 4.- The selection of the most outstanding activity in Municipal or Regional Tourism Committees, or the best news article in the media on the tourist attractions of Puerto Rico, or the outstanding employee of the year of the tourism sector for his/her dedication, efforts and exceptional work, or the most valuable tourism business initiative, among many others, are among the deeds which could be included, but not limited thereto, for being acknowledged as eminent or worthy of this distinction.
Section 5.- All proposals and recommendations of the jurors shall be based on and shall include the reports, testimonials, background and data deemed to have merit for the proposed objective.
Section 6.- The Tourism Company shall award the "Tourism Medal of Merit" and certificates of recognition to the recipients of these awards in a ceremony of recognition before the communications media, which shall take place during the same week in which the World Tourism Day established by the International Tourism Organization, is held.
Section 7.- The Tourism Company shall keep an official register of the persons who have received these medals and recognitions since they were establish.
Section 8.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 78 (H.B. 3711) of the $7^{ ext {th }}$ Session of the $14^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to establish the Tourism Medal of Merit to be granted by the Tourism Company to Puerto Ricans or foreigners who distinguish themselves through initiatives by rendering eminent services or extraordinary deeds in behalf of tourism, becoming models worthy of emulation by the community, and in turn, promote educational campaigns in behalf of tourist activities, and of the good image of the country, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $17^{ ext {th }}$ of June of 2005.
Luis E. Fusté-Lacourt Director
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