The challenges Puerto Rico has faced during the past few years include the Zika virus, Hurricane Maria, and more recently the seismic events that occurred in the southwestern region of the island in early 2020.
Yet, according to Alejandro Caicedo Benet, the chief development officer for air, maritime and hospitality for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Puerto Rico "has managed to stand up and defend its status as a premier destination. In fact, San Juan airport is expected to reach more than 10 million passengers in 2020, a figure not seen in the last 10 years".
'Discover Puerto Rico', a newly established destination marketing organisation (DMO), recently declared: "From air access being at an all time high to witnessing notable advancements in the lodging industry, tourism numbers in 2019 surpassed the island's past high".
The DMO has concluded that Puerto Rico's meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector had shown a tremendous increase in leads during 2019 - which could possibly provide Puerto Rico with an economic impact of approximately USD320 billion during the next six years.
Mr Benet explained that Discover Puerto Rico has a dedicated team to attract the MICE segment, and said that the 600,000 square foot Puerto Rico Convention Centre is the largest and most technologically advanced in the region. The centre also features a 20,000 panel solar array and has other initiatives under way to promote sustainability.
There is also a vibrant urban area around the convention centre. The new District San Juan complex will feature a new micro distillery, a world class restaurant, and an outdoor stage for live music. "More than just a venue, the Puerto Rico Convention Centre is the anchor of a fast growing convention centre district", Mr Benet added.
"It is important to consider that the island is metaphorical bridge between the US mainland and Latin American markets, strategically located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean", Mr Benet explained.
Mr Benet said that some attributes that could drive Puerto Rico's meetings and conventions sector include: no passport requirements for US citizens; the USD is used throughout the island; English and Spanish are official languages; and Puerto Rico is a relatively short flight from many major US cities.
Puerto Rico's ambition to build up visitor numbers to the island has not been dented by the challenges it has faced during the last few years, and Mr Benet believes the spirit of Puerto Rico's residents is a major factor contributing to its resiliency.
"We know how to overcome adversity, and we face the challenges," he said. That grit will continue to serve Puerto Rico well in 2020 and beyond.
The Blue Swan Daily's regular weekly accommodation features - CHECK-IN! and CHECK-OUT! - recently highlighted that Marriott International is boosting its Aloft Hotels portfolio, its innovation incubator brand for global travellers, with a new Puerto Rico property.
The latest opening is the Aloft San Juan, the first Aloft hotel in the Caribbean. With 177 rooms, this vibrant new boutique hotel features a loft-inspired design at a location near Isla Grande airport and Miramar, Old San Juan.
The property hopes to appeal to "next generation" travellers, while its convenient location near Puerto Rico Convention Centre and open spaces and terraces overlooking the fountains of the Convention Centre are sure to make it popular for events and the business travellers attending them.
CAPA - Centre for Aviation analysis of OAG schedules highlights how strongly Puerto Rico relies on air connectivity with the US mainland. More than 85% of its seat capacity (for the week commencing 24-Feb-2020) is linked directly to the US with Orlando, New York, For Lauderdale, Newark and Miami its largest destination markets.
The Caribbean island is an unincorporated territory of the US and Puerto Ricans have been citizens of the US for just over 100 years, and can move freely between the island and the mainland.
CHART - The largest airlines in Puerto Rico are a mix of US majors and LCCs, but it is JetBlue Airways that has the strongest presence
Source: CAPA - Centre for Aviation and OAG (data: w/c 24-Feb-2020)