P.R. Laws tit. 1, § 580
(a) The Tourism Medal of Merit is hereby created, to be granted by the Tourism Company to reward those who render eminent services or perform extraordinary deeds in behalf of tourism in any of its branches, thus constituting models worthy of emulation by the community, and which in turn promote educational campaigns in behalf of tourist activities and the good image of the country; which may include individuals, communities, institutions or local businesses located or established in Puerto Rico.
(b) The Tourism Medal of Merit shall have three (3) categories: gold, silver and bronze, and shall be limited to one per year in each category. The Company shall approve regulations to establish the requirements to be met by the recipients of these medals. Likewise, the parameters, criteria and procedures for the selection of the jurors who shall recommend potential candidates for this award shall be established thereby.
(c) The Tourism Company is hereby empowered to grant the medals of merit in tourism through a resolution to such effect of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Company of Puerto Rico as the official tourism entity, pursuant to the procedures established in regulations that shall be adopted to such effects.
(d) The selection of the most outstanding activity in municipal or regional tourism committees, or the best news article in the media on the tourist attractions of Puerto Rico, or the outstanding employee of the year of the tourism sector for his/her dedication, efforts and exceptional work, or the most valuable tourism business initiative, among many others, are among the deeds which could be included, but not limited thereto, for being acknowledged as eminent or worthy of this distinction.
(e) All proposals and recommendations of the jurors shall be based on and shall include the reports, testimonials, background and data deemed to have merit for the proposed objective.
(f) The Tourism Company shall award the Tourism Medal of Merit and certificates of recognition to the recipients of these awards in a ceremony of recognition before the communications media, which shall take place during the same week in which the World Tourism Day established by the International Tourism Organization, is held.
(g) The Tourism Company shall keep an official register of the persons who have received these medals and recognitions since they were establish.
History —Mar. 13, 2004, No. 78, §§ 1—7.