Recent High-Profile Meetings Include International Dairy Queen and UBM Aviation Routes

The 2016 winter season was a success for the groups and convention market in Puerto Rico.  A total of 92 groups visited the island from January through March providing a positive effect on the local economy, Milton Segarra, president & CEO of Meet Puerto Rico (MPR-Puerto Rico Convention Bureau), announced. Those included the high profile UBM Aviation Routes, Ltd., , Latin America & Caribbean Air Transport Association, Association for Equality and Excellence in Education and International Dairy Queen's Expo and the VII International Congress of the Spanish Language currently taking place on the Island.

"Puerto Rico continues to position itself as the ideal destination for meetings and conventions, especially during the winter months, our high season," Segarra said. "This year we had several groups conducting their winter meetings on the island and their responses were enthusiastic and complimentary. They cited our temperate climate and one-of-a-kind experiences that make our meetings memorable. That includes "El Monstruo", the newest attraction in Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park which the Guinness World Records has certified as the world's highest and longest zipline, our historic Old San Juan city and El Yunque, the only rainforest in the U.S. National Park System."

In February, the peak high season month, Puerto Rico played host to Routes Americas 2016 (Puerto Rico Tourism Company in partnership with Aerostar Airport Holdings LLC and Meet Puerto Rico). The event took place in the Puerto Rico Convention Center and attracted a record number of 750 delegates, an increase of 80% over the last two years. International Dairy Queen's 2,000 attendees enjoyed five days in San Juan, "We just held our 2018 Dairy Queen Expo in San Juan, Puerto Rico," said Missy Schrupp, CMP director of Meetings, Events & Travel, International Dairy Queen, Inc. "Our attendance spoke to the excitement of the destination with our attendees." And Meredith Martini, Founder of Playworks Group said, "Our group had an incredible stay in Puerto Rico. We were there for five days and we were able to spend time in several different areas of the island including Old San Juan, Carolina/Isla Verde, Luquillo and Fajardo. The people are so lovely, friendly and welcoming. The service was exceptional, the views and landscape are breathtaking and the food was delicious. And the weather! You can't beat the breezes and sunshine. As a bonus we saw multiple rainbows during our trip." 

Segarra stated that the experiences these groups take awayfrom their visit to Puerto Rico are vital to the ongoing positioning of the destination. "One of the trends that continues to remain true is the meetings and conventions delegates who want to experience the destination beyond the meeting room.  In Puerto Rico, they can experience a new culture and environment through touring Old San Juan, eating authentic cuisine in a local restaurant, visiting historical sites or enjoying the beach or shopping. They often extend their stay - and there are a variety of accommodations for every budget with the added benefit that No Passport is required for U.S. Citizens. All this has a direct positive impact on the local economy, which is important because we are all part of that positive experience with the visitor," Segarra concluded.

In Puerto Rico, one in four rooms occupied in hotels that can accommodate large-scale meetings belongs to the groups and conventions segment.