Discover Puerto Rico announced record-breaking milestones at IMEX America in Las Vegas, just a year after the formation of the destination marketing organisation and only two years after Hurricane Maria laid waste to the island.
Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, announced a record high for accommodation expenditure in July this year while bookings for the first half of 2020 show a 36 per cent increase on 2019. There were 2.6 million arrivals, an all-time high, this year until June at the island’s three main airports in San Juan, Aguadilla and Ponce. The Puerto Rico Convention Centre, claimed to be the most technically-advanced convention centre in the Caribbean, saw the most successful year in its 14-year history.
Puerto Rico dominated the list of the top 10 Airbnb world destinations this summer and the addition of new luxury hotels will drive more arrivals. The remainder of 2019 will see hotel openings such as the Dreams Resort and Spa in Guánica, Hyatt Hacienda del Mar in Vega Alta and the ALOFT Hotel in Ponce. Beyond 2019 will see the unveilings of The Ritz Carlton San Juan and El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo.
In 2020, Puerto Rico will open an unparalleled five-acre hospitality and entertainment district, District San Juan. The plaza is billed to become the most vibrant in the region and will include a showroom for 6,000 guests, eight premium movie theatres, restaurants, bars, lounges and a day/night disco.
New developments in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico welcomes four million visitors each year, and its tourism industry – with year-to-date revenue and passenger arrivals that have the Island on a record-breaking path – has never been stronger.
“To see the continued success of Puerto Rico is incredibly rewarding, because tourism impacts the remarkable local community in many ways and helps the economy prosper,” said Brad Dean, CEO of
Discover Puerto Rico. “We have received great growth data from our public and private sector partners, together with the addition of new and exciting offerings that are sure to impress both leisure and business travellers.”
Next year will shine a light on the island’s history with the celebration of San Juan’s 500th anniversary and the island will be the host destination for the
World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) 2020 Global Summit.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
