Puerto Rico Updates Press On Eve of CTC-30

The Puerto Rican Tourism Company (PRTC) gave an update to the New York travel media, as the island prepares to host the 30th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference scheduled from October 19 to 24.

According to Mary Jo Laborde, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) has driven Caribbean tourists without passports to Puerto Rico, which as part of the U.S. Commonwealth does not require them.

Puerto Rico is also positioning itself as the “hub of the Caribbean” due to the heavy concentration of connections in San Juan's International Airport. Puerto Rico is investing $425 million in its three major airports through 2011. Also a cruise hub, Puerto Rico's port of San Juan received 1.3 million cruise passengers in 2006.

The PRTC hopes to emphasize a broad range of special interests to distinguish itself from its Caribbean neighbors. Special self-drive routes emphasizing culture, gastronomy, history and eco-tourism have been developed to diversify the island's image.

Coming hotels include a new St. Regis in 2008 at the Bahia Resort and Golf Club development; the Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel in 2010; the Condado Vanderbilt House in 2009; the Fairmont CoCo Beach Resort and Residences in 2009; the Courtyard by Marriott in November; and the InterContinental Cayo Largo Beach Resort & Golf in 2010 among others.

Puerto Rico reeled in more than 5 million visitors in 2006 and is reporting growth for the first half of 2007. About 80 percent of Puerto Rico's visitors are U.S. citizens.