Puerto Rico Events Sector Grows, Fueled by First Hotel Launch in El Distrito
Photo Credit: Aloft San Juan in Puerto Rico. El Distrito's first hotel opened its doors last week. Aloft San Juan
Skift Take
Puerto Rico has seen its share of setbacks recently, but a fresh approach to experiential events paired with the launch of a tech-centered complex make the island an emerging leader for destination events.
Despite challenges from earthquakes and the loss of a major event in early 2020, Puerto Rico’s efforts to become a premier event destination are finally coming to fruition. Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean largely credits a new approach to event planner site visits as one of the catalysts to the island’s flurry of leads.
Estimates project a potential $320 million in economic impact for the meetings and events sector alone over the next six years. The Puerto Rico Convention Center closed its most successful year in 2019: A 21 percent increase in total events, based on a 13-year average, is paving the way for more growth in 2020 and beyond.
Rather than focusing solely on venue and hospitality features during site-visit trips, event planners coming to Puerto Rico can expect a more experiential approach to get a taste of the island’s cultural a
