Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine January 2018 | Page 436

Puerto
Rico is
OPEN
Major milestones important for leisure
and business travellers:
P
uerto Rico is open for tourism and it kicked off its
winter season on December 20th, just in time for
the holidays. More than 100 hotels are open and
operating. More than four thousand restaurants
are taking orders and serving up delicious cuisine. Major tourism
attractions, island-wide have been cleaned up and restored. All
this just in time for travellers to experience the longest holiday
season in the world, one which is being celebrated stronger than
ever this year.
T h i s announcement was made by the Puerto Rico Tourism
Company (PRTC), the official governing body of the tourism
industry. “It’s been the continued collaboration with Governor
Ricardo Rosselló’s team and tourism industry partners that has
resulted in tremendous progress and we’re thrilled to be officially open
for tourism,” said José Izquierdo, Executive Director of the PRTC.
“Tourism is a vital contributor to the Island’s economy, so reaching
these milestones not only will help build a stronger, better Puerto
Rico, but showcases the resiliency in our people and destination.”
CRUISES: Close to 60 cruise shore AIRPORTS: All airports are fully operational. There are
excursions are available for enjoyment.
These excursions have helped San
Juan secure over 70 transit calls from
cruise lines through the end of January
2018. Furthermore, 80,000 homeport
passengers have embarked from San Juan
over the last two months, and 85,000 more
are expected to do so through January 31,
2018, proving once again the importance
of Puerto Rico as a major Caribbean hub
and sightseeing destination. approximately 70 flights per day across 27 different major
commercial airlines. San Juan International airport (SJU)
continues to have daily nonstop service from 17 major airports
in mainland U.S. Additional nonstop flights are operating from
Canada, Germany, Panama, Colombia, Dominican Republic and
other islands from the Caribbean.
HOTELS: Over 75 percent of hotels are operational and taking
reservations. As first-responders staying at hotels in San Juan
prepare to depart, this frees up rooms for travellers. Not only are
iconic hotels like El San Juan Hotel re-opening, but new hotels are
also opening, like Solace by the Sea in Ponce.
TOURISM ATTRACTIONS:
There are 107 operating tourist attractions across the Island, including major sites like Old San Juan, the Castillo
San Felipe del Morro, Cueva Ventana, among others.
RESTAURANTS: The restaurant industry leads with a total of 1,673 open restaurants in the San Juan area
and thousands more across the Island. So whether you’re looking for a bar, lounge or restaurant, there’s plenty to
choose from.
GETTING AROUND: Ground transportation is operating as usual. If arriving by air or sea, taxis and public
transportation are at your fingertips. And, 24 major car rental companies are open, with dealers across the Island,
should travellers want to venture off and explore.