As a result of the rating given to Playa Punta Astilleros, in Piojó, as the eighth most beautiful in the world among those with a rural vocation registered in the International Center for Training in Beach Management and Certification, the Governor of Atlántico, Eduardo Verano, sees in This is a historic opportunity for Piojó with the purpose of valuing the natural wealth of the department and its great potential for ecotourism.
The president maintained that the Punta Astilleros Comprehensive Plan will include interventions in the village’s educational center, the health of its inhabitants, road connectivity and improvement of public services, among other actions.
“We are going to have a great work plan so that we can have public services in optimal conditions and all the support they require because we want tourism of a different quality, beach observation, offers in ecological tourism and rest, that is the real vocation of this pleasant space that God gave us in our apartment”he expressed.
Governor Verano listened to the communities of Punta Astilleros with whom he will seek to work together on a sustainable action plan with an ecotourism approach with a view to continuing to strengthen the strong points and, on the other hand, correct and improve the weak areas to give priority. to the rural and sustainable character of the beach.
“We are going to accompany them, we will be with them, providing training and whatever is needed. This is a place that deserves all our efforts in a systematized and orderly manner. For a reason, it has been chosen among the 10 most beautiful beaches in Latin America”he explained.
Verano reported that at this time, the departmental administration is carrying out interventions on the Atlantic beaches because one of the goals of this four-year period is focused on sustainability and tourism, which is one of the characteristics that the department of Atlántico has.
“We have had to study and analyze each of the different beaches. Each of them has a role, has a design and a complete rescue and recovery process has been carried out. Salgar has had a series of important investments, which “the same as Puerto Colombia with the Gastronomic Development Center, the Pier and the Plaza of Puerto Colombia, and now the turn is for Punta Astilleros in Piojó”he stressed.
What’s coming for Punta Astilleros?
Governor Verano assured that a macro investment is needed in terms of one of the most important components, such as achieving access to drinking water and basic sanitation for this community.
“With the investments that are being made in the coastal aqueduct, it will allow us to have a guarantee of water service to Punta Astilleros as well as cover the entire north of the department. So they are not only isolated investments, but it is a package of investments. But Here, specifically, we are going to work on health, on education, on beach design and on supporting people so that they can have the economic activity of attending to this contemplation tourism.”he explained.
The locals met with the governor this Monday and assured that 90% of the tourists who come to Punta Astilleros are foreigners, who seek this place for its silence, tranquility and unmatched landscapes.
They have a great gastronomic and lodging offer. With approximately 120 rooms distributed in hostels and cabins.
“They don’t want to grow a lot, but rather maintain that rudimentary and attractive tourism for many people. So that is their style, that is their vocation and that is what we are really working on with them”he sentenced.
In alliance with the Mayor’s Office of Piojó, work will be done to protect this environmental and tourist asset that projects the Atlantic as a unique destination in the world in its Territorial Planning Plan.
Pedro Lemus, secretary general of the Atlantic Government, explained that the inclusion of Punta Astilleros in the world ranking of the Evaluation of the best beaches 2024 is not only a source of pride, it is also a great responsibility for everyone.
“We must keep this beach free of pollution, without garbage, respecting its environment and that the only trace we leave is the good behavior of Atlantic residents and visitors”said.
He added that the Government will provide support and training to the community and leaders of the area so that they are the first to defend and maintain the beach in a sustainable and attractive way in order to continue climbing the world ranking of rural beaches.
“We must avoid the use of single-use plastics and promote recreational, sports and contemplation activities that make people have a connection with nature and inner well-being”Lemus indicated.
The official explained that Punta Astilleros is the best example of an Atlantic for the world and a reference for other rural beaches in the department to follow the path towards internationalization.
Jaime Alfaro, Undersecretary of Tourism, assured that before the 2024 Beach Ranking emerged, the departmental administration had financed, during the second Government of Eduardo Verano, in 2019, a Beach Planning Plan that included Punta Astilleros as a destination for contemplation and well-being and with a maximum capacity for 600 visitors.
“This is a beach where people come to connect with nature, with themselves and finally all the activities that should be done on this beach are along those lines and from the Undersecretariat of Tourism we have been working precisely to ensure that this happens with the operators, with the Vice Ministry of Tourism, with the Municipal Mayor’s Office to provide the necessary tools that this beach needs to be number one nationally and internationally.”he pointed out.
Roxana Herrera, president of the Punta Astilleros Community Action Board, assured that this beach has had a very strong boom since it was included in the international ranking.
“What we want is to conserve the beach in this way. That is why we will work with the entire community and the departmental administration so that it is conserved, but at the same time it is enhanced as a great eco-sustainable destination,” he expressed.
Armando de la Hoz, office advisor on health matters, confirmed that an order was issued from the Atlantic Government to carry out joint work on health matters where 26 families have been identified.
A characterization process will be generated to identify the children who are on the sidewalk.
“We will bring the entire offer from the Departmental Health Secretariat in such a way that we can carry out the vaccination processes, check the houses and all the elements that may generate any medical situation. Very soon we will be here doing all this activity and generating a whole process of health in this population of Punta Astilleros”he reported.
Dick Acuña, expert in beach planning and evaluator of the department, said that these beaches were classified as the best in Latin America for their conservation, natural environment, water quality, since there are no stormwater discharges, as well as the quality of the sand.
“With this work that the community does for its conservation and the administration in all the support and inter-institutional work, the natural and rural vocation of this sector will be enhanced. The idea is that this specialized tourism continues to arrive, which will in turn allow more generation to be generated. employability for these people”accurate.
Finally, Governor Eduardo Verano expressed that his dream is to ensure that the department has comprehensive development in every corner. “Then we have to fight intensely so that it is not all of Barranquilla, Tubará or Santa Verónica, but rather that the entire Atlantic has the opportunity to develop. That is the main task of the Atlantic Government”he pointed out.
*With information from the Atlantic Government
