Puerto Rico Expects Surge of Cruise Visitors

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) and the Puerto Rico Port Authority expect close to 20,000 visitors in the coming months, with a spending power of up to $15 million. The figures were revealed at a press conference hosted by the two government entities recently in San Juan.

It was also revealed during the press conference that two vessels, the Caribbean Princess from Princess Cruises and the Carnival Victory from Carnival Cruises, will be making San Juan their home port, which will further stimulate hotel occupancy in the city as a pre- and post-tour destination.

“The combined efforts of the PRTC and the Port Authority to energize and support the growth of the cruise industry in Puerto Rico have resulted in monumental strides in this sector over the past three fiscal years,” said Fernando J. Bonilla, secretary of state of Puerto Rico and executive director of the Puerto Rico Port Authority.

“This year (2007-2008) the Port of San Juan welcomed 1,496,853 visitors which represent an 8.9 percent increase over last year, with 118,161 more visitors to San Juan than the year before. Further, from 2005 through 2008, we have experienced a 15 percent increase in the cruise sector with over 198,000 additional travelers making their way to San Juan. This increase has brought in an additional 13.8 million dollars to our economy,” Mr. Bonilla added.

Mr. Bonilla also highlighted that the 8.9 percent increase experienced by Puerto Rico’s cruise industry surpasses global growth figures in this sector. The latest figures provided by the Cruise Line Industry Association cite a 5 percent increase in the global cruise industry, with 2 percent growth in North America and 1.7 percent growth in the Eastern Caribbean.

“The PRTC and the Puerto Rico Port Authority have worked together to secure substantial investment in the Port of San Juan and in the improvement of its infrastructure. These efforts have resulted in the addition of new cruise lines, new routes, and the signing of a $10 million incentive program that was recently put into effect by the Governor and include an aggressive Promotion and Marketing Program implemented by the PRTC,” said Terestella Gonzalez Denton, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

In June of this year, the governor of Puerto Rico announced the passing of a law to expand his administration’s Cruise Incentive Program, which allocates a yearly $10 million fund for the development of Puerto Rico’s maritime industry.