Puerto Rico. Milton Segarra President at ‘Meet Puerto Rico’ appreciate the continued outpouring of concern and support from our partners, clients and media colleagues.
Our goal to keep you updated on our news and plans continues.
San Juan’s hotels are opening. Power (by generator) is keeping the lights on in many of our hotels, gas lines are now at a normal level, the port is fully operational with Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean already sailing this month and Norwegian Cruise Line returning November 12, the airport is fully operational and open 24 hours – by the end of November we will have more than 700 domestic and international flights daily.
And our popular attractions will be announcing their official opening dates from now to the end of December.
We are pleased that the Puerto Rico Convention Center, which did not withstand any significant damage, will continue as the command center of operations for the Government of Puerto Rico, The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 600 FEMA workers, contractors and National Guard members directing relief efforts until the end of 2017. Starting January 1, 2018, following FEMA’s departure, the Puerto Rico Convention Center will resume its schedule of conventions. Three January conferences are already confirmed.
We are now entering our engagement phase – interacting with the industry and media on a consistent basis – starting with IMEX – where we met personally with approximately 30 media and over 300 potential clients. The response was supportive and positive. We shared our updates and asked for their input on new ideas, new approaches and new commitments that we can work on together and share in the anticipation of relaunching and rediscovering Puerto Rico.
Our calendar of events remains intact and you will have the opportunity to hear personally from us at upcoming trade shows, conferences, and events.
Many continue to ask how they can help or contribute. We continue to provide the link to United for Puerto Rico, an initiative brought forth by the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló, in collaboration with the private sector, with the purpose of providing aid and support to those affected in Puerto Rico by the passage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane María.
We intend to keep you updated on our progress in real time – keeping you informed, engaged and connected. As you know, Puerto Rico has always been one of the most desired meetings and convention destinations and we intend to continue the same tradition soon.
