Above: San Juan (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Puerto Rico’s tourism sector is showing strong growth in 2015, according to new data from the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

In February, hotel occupancy grew by 4.8 percent compared to the same period in 2014, rising to 86.1 percent.

Average daily rates also increased by 1.4 percent to an average of $189.59, while revenue per available room rose to $163.24.

“This increase in hotel occupancy, based on our preliminary numbers, combined with the record number of cruise ship visitors to the island, encourage us as we continue our efforts to increase visitors, strengthen maritime and air access, and offer a varied and attractive destination as well as maximize our efforts to promote Puerto Rico as a unique five-star destination,” said Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

Overall, a total of 12,384 more hotel rooms were sold in February than the previous year, according to the PRTC.

The data is based on daily surveys conducted by the tourism company.