Puerto Rico Welcome

Transcript

Pedro Pierluisi:Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Muchas gracias a todas y a todos por estar aquí. It is indeed a pleasure to be with all of you today in this CAPA Americas Aviation and LCC Summit 2022. First of all, I would like to thank the CAPA Center for Aviation and Aviation Week Network, as well as their marketing and logistics team, for bringing this premier aviation industry event to Puerto Rico for the first time. I'm happy to be here to share with you my vision for Puerto Rico, its tourism industry, and our path to the future. I'm excited to talk to you about what's happening on the islands tourism sector, its impact on our economic development, and about how well we're bouncing back from the COVID pandemic. I also want to let you in on some of tourism-specific opportunities on the horizon here in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is just coming out of its— of the most significant period of challenges in its modern history. An economic recession, a government financial default, and a debt restructuring quandary were only made worse by devastating natural disasters, including hurricanes and earthquakes, and the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, the strength, resiliency, and fighting spirit of the people of Puerto Rico have allowed us to face and overcome these challenges. We have already restructured the government's debt and come out of bankruptcy and are steadfastly dedicated to disaster recovery, curbing the impact of COVID retaking the path to economic growth, recovering Puerto Rico's credibility in the financial markets, and reestablishing a favorable business climate that fosters investment and job creation. My confidence is not based on aspirations, but on facts. And the recent performance of our economy, specifically our tourism industry, despite the COVID pandemic, is a good example. Despite such a historic challenge, Puerto Rico's potential has been on full display for the world to see. The island has become a shining example of resiliency and recovery in tourism. Our administration's focus on health and safety and our success in communicating our COVID protocols by our destination marketing organization, Discover Puerto Rico, our tourism company, and indeed every member of this industry have led to record-breaking numbers in tourism. Let me highlight some of the most impressive Statistics. 2021 set a record highest ever year-to-date lodging revenue, including both hotel and independent rental revenue, and 2022 is on its way to beat it. Lodging demand was 12% higher last year, actually higher than the previous record in 2019. And this year's numbers are also setting records. Hotels generated $100 million in lodging taxes for the first time ever here in Puerto Rico, and rentals added another $55 million. Nonresident visitors in Puerto Rico spent $4.5 billion on the island in 2021, an amount 11% higher than before the pandemic, and 4.8 million arrivals were recorded in 2021, topping the previous record. Now, moving forward, we're no longer looking back on pre-pandemic visitation numbers, but rather working towards claiming Puerto Rico's place on the global stage as a premier place to visit for both domestic U.S. and international travelers. Puerto Rico, as you know, is a United States destination that boasts a unique Spanish-American and Caribbean culture unlike any other destination in the U.S. mainland. In fact, last year we commemorated the 500th anniversary of the founding of our capital city of San Juan. Indeed, it was in 1521 that the original Spanish settlement in Caparra was moved to its current location in Old San Juan, making it the oldest continuously inhabited city established by Europe— Europeans in the United States and one of the very first in the entire Western Hemisphere. But Puerto Rico as a tourist destination is more than Old San Juan. Despite the natural disasters in recent years, the freshness, freshness, magic, and beauty of all our tourism attractions are intact or on their way to be fully recovered. Our diverse tourism product provides incredible experiences across major travel motivators, including breathtaking natural attractions, more than 4,000 unmatched gastronomic offerings, and more than 300 beaches across our archipelago. Our destination boasts high-end hotels and experiences that appeal to the luxury market, as well as family-friendly accommodations and activities. In total, more than 163 hotel options with nearly 14,500 rooms open and operating. 8 5-star and 15 4-star properties on the island, and more than 1,100— 1,100 rental properties with over 30,000 additional rooms. In short, we have a full menu of both resort and self-drive holiday options, family-friendly activities, 18 world-class golf courses, and an abundance of outdoor adventures that include the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest Service, El Yunque, just nearby, and 3 of the world's best 5 bioluminescent bays. And we're eagerly reestablishing and growing our connection to the world. We want to be first in line in reclaiming direct flight routes to San Juan and other destinations on the island. As airlines are making changes to schedules based on anticipated demand, Puerto Rico's tourism growth is a strong signal that those eyes should be directly upon us. We are proud to be among those destinations leading the tourism industry's recovery, and we credit the success we're seeing to our administration's commitment to health and safety, And how the confidence built in this space has translated to an increase in demand. Besides being the right thing to do in terms of safety and health for both our citizens and visitors, it also has made good economic sense. Our tourism industry supports more than 5,000 businesses and now boasts nearly 86,000 jobs in hospitality, travel, and tourism. the highest number in our history. These figures I'm giving you, you need to put in perspective. We're 3.2 million American citizens residing in Puerto Rico, and our economy, the size of our economy is basically $70 billion a year. So keep that in mind as a frame of reference. That's why my administration is fully committed to supporting initiatives geared towards the fullest development possible of every aspect of our tourism industry. Such efforts require the proactive and energetic involvement of the private sector. Thus, we will foster public policy initiatives that help tourism grow and also work to facilitate the investment of private sector companies in the broad scope of activities that comprise the sector. For example, last year we entered into an agreement with a private operator to provide ferry service to the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra on our east coast, an essential service both for the residents of those islands, home to some of Puerto Rico's best beaches, as well as their visitors and tourists. Likewise, we have a number of tourism-related initiatives in our immediate agenda, including the repair, upgrade, and enhancement of our cruise port infrastructure and expansion of capacity for additional cruise ships in the Bay of San Juan; the development, retrofitting, and promotion of marinas, docks, and piers in other strategic points around the island; the potential development of a cruise ship port on the island's west coast; the development of a coastal erosion monitoring, prevention, and mitigation program; and an update to our current Puerto Rico Coastal Public Access Master Plan. And last, but certainly not least, the redevelopment of the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Base for its tourism potential in conjunction with that of Vieques and Culebra, including the development of sustainable hotels and inns, environmental and tourism infrastructure, and port facilities. I should add that Puerto Rico, as a U.S. territory, has access to generally has access to federal programs and legislation, including the infrastructure bill that was just approved by Congress. So we will be using some of that funding to upgrade, improve our regional airports as well throughout the island. Let me conclude by restating that my commitment to the long-term viability and stability of our tourism industry is at the top of my administration's priorities. With the support of my economic development, ports, and tourism teams, along with our direct marketing organization Discover Puerto Rico and our tourism company, we will further our modern and vibrant brand as the quality business and leisure destination we are. This is an industry that will make us shine and show the world that the small, small island of Puerto Rico is big, strong, and resilient. You can count on, on me and my team to work collaboratively with all tourism stakeholders like you on our path to growth. Because you, led by CAPA and other organizations like this one, are key to helping us realize our potential. Connecting Puerto Rico with the world is to everyone's advantage. We count on you to help us open the skies so that many more routes lead to the Island of Enchantment. Discover Puerto Rico, and you will be a fan for life. Thank you all very much. Thank you, Governor Pierluisi.

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