Storm-hit Puerto Rico starving for tourists
Fajardo, Puerto Rico, (MILLAT ONLINE):Until Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, Jose Figueroa did brisk business renting kayaks to tourists itching to see a lagoon that lights up by night thanks to millions of microorganisms.
Today, things are so dire he’s considering selling water to motorists stopped at red lights.
“Now we are trying to survive,” the 46-year-old tour guide said.
It used to be that visitors had to reserve a month in advance to get one of his kayaks and paddle around in the dark on the enchanting, bioluminescent body of water called Laguna Grande.
But tourists are scarce these days as the Caribbean island tries to recover from the ravages of the storm back in September.
“We do not know if we will have any work tonight,” Figueroa said. “Last week, we worked only one day.”
He and another employee of a company called Glass Bottom PR are cleaning kayaks on the seaside promenade of Fajardo, a tourist town in eastern Puerto Rico whose main attraction is the so-called Bio Bay.
The year started off well for Puerto Rico, with the global success of the song “Despacito” by local musicians Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.
The catchy tune helped promote the US commonwealth island of 3.4 million people, which is saddled with huge debts and declared bankruptcy in May.
But the hurricane turned what should be an island bustling with tourists into one with deserted beaches, shuttered restaurants and hotels full of mainland US officials working on the rebuilding of the island.
“What few tourists we have are the federal officials themselves,” said Figueroa.