Spiritual values and a yen for development
FISHING IS THE MAINSTAY OF THE ECONOMY, BUT THE COASTAL STATE OF SUCRE HAS AN OLD-WORLD CHARM THAT MAKES IT AN IDEAL VACATION DESTINATION

The north-east coastal state of Sucre was the first place on the mainland to be settled by Spanish conquistadors, who built up a town founded by Franciscan friars in 1515, now known as Cumana. Appropriately, nearly five centuries later, Sucre is one of the Venezuelan states most focused on links with the outside world, not just with Spain and the rest of Europe, but with the Americas, including the U.S.

RAMÓN MARTÍNEZ Governor of the State of Sucre

Fishing has traditionally been the mainstay of the local economy. “We’re the number one fishing state, and we have the biggest tuna fleet in Latin America,” State Governor Ramón Martínez declares proudly. “Our annual exports in this sector are in the order of $350 million, and we have 14,300 workers canning and packaging the fish, notably sardines.”
Sucre accounts for almost half of Venezuela’s fish products. The state government believes output could be boosted significantly with sufficient investment, probably in association with a foreign partner. Forestry is another sector earmarked for development.

Governor Martínez, who is now in his fourth term of office, takes a hands-on approach to attracting foreign investment, as well as stressing the need for closer U.S.-Venezuelan relations. In March, he was part of a small delegation to Washington D.C. visiting the U.S. State Department to promote Venezuela as a safe and worthwhile destination for foreign investment.

“Our law protecting investments is very important,” he says. “And in the case of five states – Sucre, Apure, Guarico, Cojedes and Trujillo – a decree is in force offering tax exemption for investment. That can then be transformed into jobs, production and productivity.”
Among the foreign companies that have taken root in Sucre is Toyota, which has set up its biggest automobile plant in Latin America there. “Toyota is going to expand its business to the tune of $300 million,” Mr. Martínez says, “and will be exporting vehicles throughout Latin America.”

MOCHIMA offers the time-tested formula of sun and sea, but the state government is also keen to promote eco-tourism

During Mr. Martínez’s time in office, Sucre has ceased to be a rather sleepy backwater. But it still has an old-world charm that has considerable potential for tourism. The historic center of Cumana is one of the best-preserved colonial districts in the country, nestled at the foot of a hill dominated by the San Antonio fortress. The cathedral is a popular place of pilgrimage, largely because it houses a cross, which, legend says, will grant a pardon for wrongdoings for anyone who manages to embrace it.

There are plenty of fine beaches in Sucre, but the state government is keen to promote eco-tourism, rather than just sun-and-sea resorts. “We have four nature parks – Paria, Turuepano, Mochima and Turimiquire – as well as sharing another with Monagas state,” says Mr. Martínez. “We also have four tourist trails. There is a great diversity in landscape here in Sucre. But we need to develop human resources in the sector.”
One of the trails is known as the Humboldt, after the German naturalist and traveller Alexander von Humboldt, who explored Latin America in the early 19th century. It takes in the famous Guacharo Cave, which is the home to blind nocturnal oilbirds called guacharos.

Tourism offers many opportunities for smaller enterprises. There are more than 200 inns in Sucre, many family-run affairs in delightful buildings and settings that give a real flavor of local life.
Governor Martínez, while championing development and investment, is determined that change should not harm Sucre’s soul. Revealing that his thinking has been influenced by that of Mahatma Gandhi, he says: “Spiritual values interest me more than material ones.”