Puerto Rico is hoping to secure direct flights from the UK to the Caribbean island by 2009/2010.
Visiting the UK to meet with tour operators and industry partners this week, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), Terestella González Denton, said it needed direct flights to boost its UK visitor numbers.
“We have already grown by 17% in the last year and will be increasing our marketing budget for next year,” she added.
“I cannot tell you by how much but we will know in a few weeks.
“We are targeting the European markets, particularly the UK, and will be inviting tour operators and wholesalers to come and experience our product.”
The destination hopes to attract European visitors as part of a five-year plan, focusing on hotel development, product development, quality and service, transportation, and marketing and branding.
At present, 2,308 hotel rooms are in the process of being built, representing over 50% of the Government’s goal of 5,000 new rooms by 2008.
The island is hosting the first Puerto Rico Hospitality Investment Conference in May 2007 to promote Puerto Rico as a destination for tourism investment and development.
By Bev Fearis
