Discover Puerto Rico says that together with the island's vibrant and diversified culture, Puerto Rico's expanding infrastructure and noteworthy value propositions make it an alluring MICE location
The United States territory of Puerto Rico has reported a robust recovery in its tourism industry in the year 2022, with segments like Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) registering a record performance in the year, having fully recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic and establishing new high highs in revenues.
In a press statement, Discover Puerto Rico, the territory’s tourism promotion board, says that together with the island’s vibrant and diversified culture, Puerto Rico’s expanding infrastructure and noteworthy value propositions, such as the absence of passport or currency conversion requirements for visitors from the United States, make it an alluring MICE location.
The statement says that the island has seen a successful year in travel and group bookings with notable figures including the following, speaking to the efforts that inspire planners to “Make Your Meeting Boricua.”
Among its most important highlights include the economic impact of fiscal year 22-23 is USD 129.5 million, 16 pc higher than the same timeframe in fiscal year 21-22, and 57 pc higher than fiscal year 18-19, says the statement, adding that booked group room nights in 2022 doubled those from 2021, and the number of events currently booked for the remainder of 2023 are 41 pc higher versus the same time last year and 89 pc higher than the 2019 benchmark.
It says that travel spending increased by 26.7 pc as of January 2023, compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. A 26.2 pc increase in air passengers as of January 2023, when compared to same time in 2019.
Ed Carey
The board goes on to say that a 24.4 pc increase in hotel demand was recorded as of January 2023, when compared to the same time in 2019 and the Island has more than 16,750 short-term rentals available with services such as Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO, and Join a Join as of March 2023. Further, hotels and rentals generated more than USD 500 million in revenue in Q1 2023; 24 pc higher than 2022 and 78 pc higher than pre-pandemic revenue. Total air arrivals into SJU are 21 pc higher for Q1 than a year ago.
“On top of a record-breaking year for Puerto Rico in MICE in 2022, this year is continuing strong with the Island hosting a wide variety of events, and bookings for venues on the rise. Our booking statistics in MICE demonstrate that the Island’s meetings spaces continue to drive record-breaking success. We look forward to keeping the momentum into the next fiscal year and maintaining our presence as a premier hosting destination,” says Ed Carey, Chief Sales Officer at Discover Puerto Rico.
Ending fiscal year 2022–2023 with record numbers in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), Discover Puerto Rico, the island’s destination marketing organisation reports a strong roster of hosted events and an impressive lineup of events forthcoming this year and the following.
