Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
House advances plan to create public corporation for tourism with oversight and reporting requirements
Loading...
Summary
Lawmakers approved House Bill 822 on Nov. 3, 2025, to convert tourism functions into a public corporation with strategic planning, an OMD contract framework and quarterly reporting; supporters said autonomy will increase agility while critics sought stronger oversight language and safeguards in drafting.
The House on Nov. 3 approved legislation (House Bill 822, as amended) to establish a public corporation to oversee tourism promotion and marketing in Puerto Rico. Sponsors said the change aims to give the tourism agency greater operational autonomy, allow strategic marketing contracts and improve international competitiveness.
Representative Axel “Chino” Roque Gracia summarized the committee process, saying two public hearings were held and stakeholders including the tourism company, the Department of Economic Development and hotel associations supplied written memoranda. The bill’s text, as amended on the floor, includes requirements for a five‑year strategic plan, quarterly statistical reporting to the legislature, public posting of tourism research and a process for oversight of any organization‑of‑marketing‑destination (OMD) contract. The floor amendments also specified corporate objectives in the incorporation certificate and tightened prohibited uses of funds.
Supporters argued the corporation model allows faster decision‑making and better positioning for investment and global promotion; opponents asked for stronger administrative controls and clearer fiscal guardrails. The House approved the bill by roll call; the measure will return to the Senate with the House amendments.
