The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-12-09
PORTO RICO WANTS TOURISTS.

Horolulu and Hawaii may not con-
side tourist travel worth going after
and catering TO. but in taking this po-
sltiou It is in direct variance with more
progressive communities. The Repub-
ncan mas. on several occasions. pointed
out the work done by Florida and Arl-
zoua and Southern California in reach
Ing afte- tourist travel and the result
ing benefits. Porto Rico saw what win
ter tourists meant FOR Cuba last year,
and now san Juan and the other cities
OF that new AmericanTerritory propose
to throw out inducements TO the tour
lists 70 visits their land. Jamaica, the
British possession. also wants TO at
tract American travel.
Porto Rican newspapers are keeping
n very close watch on the progress of
yellow fever in Cuba. They realize
that the existence OF the disease in
Cuba's capital may be turned TO their
own profit during the coming winter.
They expect that some OF the thousands
OF people Who visited Cuba last year in
January. February and March because
there was no yellow fever in Havana
may this winter be diverted TO other
Islands IN the West Indies, through fear
OF infection. The San Juan News. 1n
American newspaper published in
Porto Rico's capital. suggests that spe-
cial inducements should be made TO at
tract tourists to Porto Rico. 1t favors
the holding Of a winter carnival Of
sor.e sort in San Juan. or an exhibition
OF Porto Riean products that would call
the attention OF travellers to the new
American island.
The British island of Jamaica viii
probably make an effort to divert part
OF this travel to herself. and so will the
Bermudas. While Porto Rico is little
further away. there is no reason why
II should not get the bulk of the bust
ness IL an organized effort is made 10
secure it. says the New York sun. Now
that Ii is a part OF the United States IL
is natural that a great many people
should want 10 see it, and no one who
goes there will be disappointed. 1t is
probably the pTettiest island in the
West Indies. There are few railroads
and these are along the coast. so that
travel is mostly in carriages or on
horseback. There are some magnificent
roads across the island. and the drive
from San Juan to Ponce on the south
coast is well worth the trip from NeS
York TO Porto Rico. II can be made in
n day. although it is ninety miles long.
There are livery stables which make 4
business OF driving tourists from the
north to the south coast, and relays OF
horses are kept at the necessary points.
so that one may take an early breakfast
in San Juan. a lunch on the way and 4
dinner in Ponce The road leads up
through the mountain TO Aibonito, and
then down again to the Caribbean Sea.
The scenery is beautiful beyond de-
scription. One advantage OF Porto Rico
is the non-existence of yellow fever
there. Strangely enough. although the
island has had the same kind of sani-
tary administration as Cuba. there has
been very little Of the disease in Porto
Rico.
nNNAA, Win It's ANAuS NO4SAAos thS
highest mountain on an island in the
world. its splendid winter surf bathing.
and its tropical verdure. fully as grand
and beautiful as that of Porto Rico.
ought TO be far more attractive OBJ
iectiye point for tourists than Porto
Rico or any other OF the West Indies.
But the beauties and attractions of Ha-
wall nust be set before the people OF
the States il we would hope to draw the
tourists 20 us. There must be some
sort OF organized effort 10 &c, them 10
come here. and. considering the value
60 city or community that tourist
travel is. it behooves the people OF Ho-
noluln to take steps toward diyertias
the tourists in this direction.