The mayor of Corozal, Sergio Luis Torres Torres, has inaugurated the Ruta Platanera (Banana Route) in an effort to expand tourism services and to highlight gastronomy in Puerto Rico’s city of Corozal. This initiative has also received the full support of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC).
“Ruta Platanera will be the spearhead for tourism development in Corozal. This is just the beginning of an economic development and tourism plan which we are working on achieving by 2020,” expressed a Corozal executive. The Ruta Platanera will feature a variety of Puerto Rican dishes which highlight Corozal’s main agricultural product, the banana. The menu, designed exclusively for Ruta Platanera by a group of Corozal merchants, consists of fifteen different dishes all featuring the banana. Some of these dishes include mamposteao mofongo stuffed with rice, mofongo relleno with guinea meat, mofonboli, three meats mofongo with cheese, banana cakes with smoked meat and smoked rabbit served with tostones, among others.
“The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is thrilled to support this initiative to increase the promotion of niche markets on the island. This not only increases tourism offerings but also promotes economic development in the region,” said PRTC Executive Director Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort.
The restaurants participating in Ruta Platanera include El Jíbaro, Willy’s BBQ, La Senda de Maná, Gustazo Grill, Limo Viejo, El Tigre, La Generala, Don Rubios, Muralla de Cibuco, Café Museo El Yagrumo, La Guinea, Aki E Keta, El Rancho, Platanéalo, Balaika #2 and Pa’ Dónde. With visits from both locals and international tourists, this project has the potential to positively impact the economy of Corozal by encouraging a sales increase at participating shops and other local businesses.
Additionally, on Thursday, October 22 the first Ruta Platanera Gastronomy Festival will take place at the public square in Corozal at 6 p.m. The festival will feature music, crafts and food for sale. For more information please call (787) 859-3060 ext. 115 and 118 or visit www.municipiodecorozal.com.
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