From hotel occupancy to new flights to cruise ship arrivals, Puerto Rico is breaking many of its tourism records, according to Carlos Mercado Santiago, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
The destination’s numbers from the just-closed fiscal year show new records for hotel occupancy, room tax collection, cruise ship arrivals, direct air routes and air passenger traffic.
Hotel occupancy was 80 percent in the most recent fiscal year, up 5 recent compared to the pervious fiscal year, according to Mercado Santiago.
It’s the continuation of a trend that largely began during the summer of 2020, when travelers were drawn to Puerto Rico thanks to its lack of a passport requirement — and they haven’t stoped traveling to Puerto Rico.
“We are very pleased with the excellent performance of tourist activity during the past 12 months” Mercado Santiago. “All indicators point to a sector in full growth and generating substantial economic activity.”
Passenger traffic at Puerto Rico’s primary air hub, Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, is projected to reach 11 million at the end of the fiscal year, while Ponce Airport is seeing a 67 percent increase in traffic.
On the cruise side, another 12 new cruise ships are expected to call on Puerto Rico next year, including Virgin Voyages’ new Brilliant Lady and NCL’s new Viva ship.