The acrobatic sky diving show, which for nearly 21 years has been held here locally, was cancelled for 2008 due to issues concerning permits for the holding of the event, explained Oscar Palacio Soto, President of the local Convention and Visitors Bureau.
During a press conference, Palacio Soto stated that the event, which has included the participation of more than 60 professional skydivers, had been announced to take place on April 26th. However, it was not possible to carry this out. He explained that event organizers did not request the necessary permits in time, nor the insurance for the plane to be used, or for the divers, and therefore they were not allowed to put on the exhibition due to the extreme risks entailed.
The OCV President assured that charges at the local airport had nothing to do with the cancellation of the acrobatic skydiving event. The situation arose as a result of organizational problems by the event promoters.
Palacio stated that the event, which has been a tradition for over 20 years now, has an important multiplying effect, both in the numbers of visitors, as well as on the local economy, and gave assurances that next year it would surely continue.
He stated that, in fact, based on the experience this year, they are already working on the paperwork to guarantee the same situation does not arise in 2009, so that the tradition of skydiving in Puerto Penasco can continue.
He reiterated that his office is very clear that it is necessary to coordinate and carry out events such as the skydiving exhibition, in order to provide greater occupation rates at hotels and rental agencies, particularly over weekends that do not coincide with holidays.