The Mexican Independence Day was not just a holiday Baja California residents spent in civic ceremonies or at home, but a day to visit other places of the state.
State Secretary of Tourism Óscar Escobedo said hotel occupancy rates increased 19 percent in 2016 during the weekend compared to the same period of last year.
Ensenada and Tijuana observed the largest climb with 29 and 11 percent, respectively, he said.
Rosarito and Tecate reported hotel occupancy rates of 74 percent, while San Quintín had 62 percent. Although its low rates, this southern port registered the largest increase with 45 percent, Escobedo said.
The agency said 138,550 vehicles were reported at the state’s main highways during Friday the 15 and Saturday the 16.
The secretary reported over 135,000 tourists statewide who spent around 162 million pesos or $9 million.
“These figures show visitors are interested in the great touristic offer in the state,” Escobedo said. “Without a doubt we will continue working for the tourist potential of Baja California is known not just in Mexico, but in the world.”
PAN Caucus chair announced
Elected Assemblyman Carlos Torres was appointed as Leader of the National Action Party (PAN in Spanish) Caucus in the State Assembly.
PAN state Chair José Luis Ovando said the 13 members of the legislative caucus met to nominate candidates and elect their leader.
New lawmakers are scheduled to take office Oct. 1.
“This decision is based on (Torres’) wide experience in politics, a proven history of results delivery and his structured political work in conciliation and agreements,” Ovando said.
Torres, a former state appointed official in charge of a healthcare program, said his first job will be to pave paths of communication with other political parties in the upcoming XXII Legislature in order to seek for common issues.
At the end, Torres defeated other candidates like former Secretary of Health Sergio Tolento, former Mexicali City Clerk José Arango and former Congressman Andrés De La Rosa.
The party’s legislative agenda includes four issues — attack on corruption, strengthening family economy, prevention, safety and justice, as well as education for life and citizens’ wellbeing.
Caucus members met with state Secretary of Government Francisco Rueda and other state officials.
College celebrates 55 years
Private college Cetys Universidad celebrated 55 years Tuesday with the opening of a new state-of-the-art Innovation and Design Center Complex.
Governor Francisco Vega, an alumni himself of the Tijuana campus, led the opening ceremony.
The $1.89 million new center, built with funds from the state and the federal government, as well as from the institution and private sector, seeks to promote research and development in the state.
Gov. Vega said the goal of the center is to strengthen aerospace and advanced manufacturing clusters, which are strategic sectors the state has identified and defined in the innovation agenda.
The center, first of its kind in Mexico, also seeks to increase competitiveness and development of new employees and researchers.
“The state is proud of having this center of innovation and design because we are sure new instructed women and men will use their talents and imagination to provide the state and the country a major push to required technologies,” he said.
Cetys Universidad Dean Fernando León said the institution has distinguished for being a learning community with vision of future and borderless, with innovating spirit and committed with our society.
Among others, the opening ceremony included attendants like U.S. Consul in Tijuana William Ostick, International Association of University Presidents Chair Toyoshi Satow and Association Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges Vice-President Richard Osborn.
The college held the first International Seminar on Innovation in Higher Education with over 30 speakers including journalist and anchor Andrés Oppenheimer, Institute of the Americas Vice-President Carlos Martínez Vela, San Diego State University Provost Chukuka Enwemeka and Higher Education Institute of Brasilia President Eda Machado de Souza.
