The manager of La Pausa lodge in Mar, Emmanuel Monforte, criticised the blockage of 48th Street during the third edition of the Coastal Empanada Festival, which prevented vehicle access to the establishment and affected tourists and people with reduced mobility.
Emmanuel Monforte, the concessionaire of La Pausa lodge in Reta, reported that the closure of 48th Street during the third edition of the Coastal Empanada Festival left his establishment without vehicle access, resulting in economic losses and dissatisfaction among visitors.
In statements to the programme Cosas que pasan, Monforte explained that the only direct access to the lodge was blocked by the event's operation. Customers had to walk about 250 metres through the sand dune or look for an alternative entrance that, as he described, was impassable due to mud.
“We like to showcase the beauty of Reta. We always promote the area because we have a strong sense of belonging and want more people to know our town,” said Monforte, who assured that he supports local initiatives but that the organisation should have considered access to the only lodge that operates year-round.
The manager recounted that upon realising the situation, he went to the site and spoke with police officers, traffic inspectors, the municipal delegate, and the director of Tourism. However, he did not obtain an immediate solution, and the street was only reopened after the event had concluded.
“We do not ask for privileges, only equal conditions to be able to work. We do not ask for help, but we also do not want to be complicated,” he stated.
The situation particularly affected tourists who had made reservations for lunch and people with reduced mobility who could not access the lodge to enjoy the sea view. Monforte also expressed his concern about the economic impact, as keeping the establishment open year-round involves a significant investment.
“Many weekends we operate at a loss. We bet on maintaining a service all year round and look forward to winter holidays or long weekends to recover part of that investment,” he explained.
Monforte emphasised that the tourist development of Reta does not only depend on its natural resources but also on the quality of services. “For me, we have one of the best beaches in the country, but a tourist destination is also built with services. We work every day in that direction and hope that situations like this do not happen again,” he concluded.
Despite the inconvenience, Monforte highlighted that the sea conditions remain excellent during the winter holidays and invited locals and visitors to come to the lodge to enjoy the cuisine and the coastal scenery of Reta.
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