Updates by Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Puerto Rico Welcomes Vacationers Post-Hurricane Irma and Becomes Transient Hub for Tourists from Nearby Caribbean Islands
- Puerto Rico resumes regular operation of hotels, sites and attractions.
- Strong tourism infrastructure has helped the tourism industry go undisrupted and serve as a transient hub for travelers across the Caribbean.
- Over 3,000 travelers have been diverted to Puerto Rico.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—Puerto Rico’s tourism infrastructure has allowed the Island to resume regular operations of hotels, sites and attractions beginning this week. The Island is continuing to welcome travelers with planned vacations in September and beyond, and has also become a transient hub for travelers across the Caribbean. Efforts over the past week have helped over 3,000 tourists from neighboring Caribbean islands be diverted to Puerto Rico, in addition to mobilizing industry partners to coordinate collections of supplies and donations.
“Today, nearly all hotels in Puerto Rico are operational and apt to continue receiving guests. We’re very fortunate that it’s business as usual across the Island and we’re already back on our feet,” said Jose Izquierdo, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC). “Our Caribbean neighbors need support so we’ve been mobilizing our industry to not only take in travelers who have had their vacations disrupted to serve as a transient hub for them, but also help with relief efforts being conducted by local and U.S. authorities.”
In addition to welcoming new vacationers and resuming regular operations, following are examples of industry partners who have opened their doors to transient travelers and mobilized support efforts:
- Marriott hotels including San Juan Marriott, Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel and AC Hotel by Marriott welcomed approximately 700 guests from St. Thomas, St. Maarten and St. John.
- Wyndham Grand Rio Mar in Rio Grande, has welcomed approximately 300 guests from St. Thomas. Additionally, crew from the St. Thomas air traffic control center are staying on the property, who travel daily to and from St. Thomas.
- The staff members of FEMA are staying at the InterContinental San Juan, where they have found suitable facilities and services to lead the disaster response and recovery efforts of the areas in need.
- Hotels in the San Juan area, including The Verdanza Hotel, Condado Plaza and Caribe Hilton have mobilized the local community to gather donations for neighbor islands.
El Conquistador Resort, The Meliá Coco Beach, Hotel El Convento and all Marriott and Hilton properties on the island, among others, are also in full operation, taking reservations for future travelers, and welcoming new guests.
To date, the Government of Puerto Rico with support from the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the Puerto Rico Department of State, the National Guard, the Puerto Rico State Agency for Emergency and Disaster Management, among others, has set up operational bases at the San Juan International Airport in order to assist transient passengers arriving in C-130 aircrafts and get them safely to hotels on the island. The U.S. National Guard has picked up over a two thousand tourists from neighboring islands and brought them to Puerto Rico for lodging, food and any medical assistance.
While some power outages are present throughout the Island, most of the Island has their power back and the majority of the hotels, as well as essential services on the island such as hospitals and supermarkets, have electric service and are fully operational.
For those interested in setting home base in Puerto Rico to help with post-hurricane Irma efforts for neighboring Caribbean islands, please contact the Puerto Rico State Agency for Emergency and Disaster Management at 787.724.0124 or visit http://www2.pr.gov/agencias/aemead/Pages/Home.aspx.
Visitors with questions about travel to Puerto Rico can call the PRTC hotline at 877.976.2400 or call their hotels directly for more information.
For more information on emergency services, resources and information about hurricane Irma in Puerto Rico visit http://puertoriconow.seepuertorico.com/.
“After an early assessment this morning, we can attest to the fact that nearly all hotels in Puerto Rico are operational and apt to continue receiving guests. The public and private sectors worked together to implement emergency plans. Hotels and tourist attractions across the Island implemented safety measures before the storm that have allowed them to recover quickly. Travelers planning to visit Puerto Rico can be confident in that their travel plans should not be affected, and that our industry is ready to continue providing the quality experience that distinguishes us. Our thoughts are with our Caribbean neighbors who have also been impacted by this storm and those on the U.S. mainland who may still be in harm’s way,” Jose Izquierdo, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.”
While the assessment of impact across the Island continues, preliminary reports show that major tourism infrastructure and attractions are operational and the Island can continue to welcome new visitors. Please find information on travel to the Island and the status of Puerto Rico’s hotels, services, and attractions below.
Recovery Efforts
Continued recovery efforts are underway as Puerto Rico works to ensure the safety of residents and guests.
For information on response and recovery efforts, please contact the Puerto Rico State Agency for Emergency and Disaster Management at 787.724.0124 or through their Spanish-language website.
Hotels Updates
The majority of hotels throughout mainland Puerto Rico are operational and ready to welcome guests.
Those with questions about accommodations can call our Tourist Hotline at 877.976.2400
Flight and Cruise Status
It is expected that flights at Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport will resume Friday after an initial assessment has been completed. Airport services, including car rentals, will resume when the airport reopens.
Flight delays are to be expected. Passengers should contact their airlines for information on flight status.
Puerto Rico’s port is being assessed, and cruises to the Island are expected to resume shortly.
Island Attractions
Attractions such as parks and beaches are currently being assessed to ensure a committed focus on quick clean up in the coming days.
We continue to work with all tourism partners to further assess damage and ensure attractions can resume full operations as soon as it is safe to do so.
Visitors can also call the Puerto Rico Tourism Company hotline at 877.976.2400for information on specific attractions.