55 resorts reopen for weekend tourism in La Guaira after earthquakes

The La Guaira governorship in Venezuela approved a proposal from the Coastal Tourism Chamber to reopen 55 resorts along 80 percent of the state's coastline for weekend service.

This pilot program began on October 31 and November 1, four months after a sequence of earthquakes hit the region on June 24. The reopening aims to provide economic relief and recreation for the community while allowing reconstruction to continue during the week.

To ensure safety and order, resort owners signed a 12-point commitment agreement. These rules require businesses to operate only from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends. The regulations prohibit high-powered sound equipment, mandate that staff wear uniforms with identification, and require that beach chairs be removed from the shore by 5:00 or 5:30 p.m.

Additionally, businesses must calculate prices based on the daily exchange rate from the Central Bank of Venezuela and are forbidden from using structures still under technical evaluation due to earthquake damage. The move restores jobs to more than 4,000 tourism-sector workers. While businesses serve the public on weekends, workers use Monday through Friday to repair damaged facilities and attend training. Local vendors in areas like Camurichico have already adapted their stalls to receive visitors.

The government also reported delivering 564 new homes to families affected by the earthquakes as part of a broader recovery effort that includes humanitarian aid from China.