Puerto Rico to host 49 events worth $14.3M for economy
Meet Puerto Rico recently announced it reached its annual goal by ensuring 409 groups and more than 100,000 delegates who, in the next few years, will visit the island either for a meeting, conference, convention or incentive travel producing some $110 million to the local economy.
Puerto Rico was selected to host 49 events including, conferences, annual meetings and sports activities for this fall season, representing an estimated 25,509 room nights and a total direct spending of $14.3 million into the local economy, Milton Segarra, president of Meet Puerto Rico, said Tuesday.
Meet Puerto Rico is a private organization responsible for attracting meetings, conventions, trade shows and incentive groups to Puerto Rico.
“One in four rooms occupied in hotels that can accommodate large-scale meetings belongs to the groups and conventions segment,” said Segarra. Groups range from multinational companies, to medical, educational conferences and sporting events, among others.
Segarra said for August there are 13 groups for a total of 2,718 room nights with an impact of $1.5 million in direct spending for the benefit of the tourism industry. As an example, he mentioned the Caribbean Golf Merchandise Show 2014, the Conference of the Association of Electoral Organizations of Central America and the Caribbean and the Latin America Federation Bonsai Championship.
During the month of September the island will host 14 groups for an estimated total of 11,921 room nights and a direct expenditure of $6.6 million. One of the groups is a citywide using the Puerto Rico Convention Center and more than two hotels to accommodate participants. Is the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum,which will generate an approximate of 4,000 room nights and over 1,500 participants.
Twenty-two groups are scheduled for October with a total of 10,870 hotel nights and a contribution of $6.0 million. Groups include the American Society of Clinical Oncologist 2014 Annual Meeting and the USA Training Center Professional Showcase, a forum for where 360 quality baseball players to demonstrate their skills in front of Major League Baseballand independent baseball scouts.
If, Puerto Rico thinks it’s a “tourist destination,” then
these numbers aren’t enough. In fact, at this point,
they’re mediocre. Whomever is responsible is doing
an extremely poor job and should be replaced ASAP.