While some destinations are still struggling to recover from the pandemic, Puerto Rico’s tourism industry has experienced impressive growth, setting new records that beat pre-2020 numbers.
In 2021, Puerto Rico saw more than $1 billion in total lodging revenue — a first for the island —surpassing 2019 numbers by 37%. Arrivals into San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport were also up by 2.6% in comparison to 2019, while overall capacity from U.S. markets was up 40% from 2019.
"Puerto Rico offers a very different experience from other U.S. and Caribbean destinations due to its unique culture and value proposition as a U.S. territory in the tropics,” said Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico. “You can [also] feel confident that health and safety is a priority [because it’s] one of the most vaccinated places in the U.S.”
You can [also] feel confident that health and safety is a priority [because it’s] one of the most vaccinated places in the U.S.
Whether your clients have vacationed in Puerto Rico before, or this year will potentially be their first time visiting, here’s what you need to know about what’s new on the island for 2022.
New Hotels and Resorts in Puerto Rico
Throughout 2022, Puerto Rico is expected to welcome several new hotels and resorts, including the Residence Inn by Marriott, which is scheduled to open in Isla Verde next month. Located minutes away from both the airport and San Juan, this property is designed for minimum one-week stays and will be the first new-branded flagship property in Isla Verde in 25 years.
For clients who enjoy boutique properties with a bit of character, DreamCatcher Hotels opened two new properties late last year. Situated in the heart of San Juan’s Food & Arts District, as well as just minutes away from the beach, the new Mood Haus is an homage to the 1970s.
The hotel features four units — two studios, a one-bedroom apartment and a two-bedroom apartment — each named after an iconic disco diva such as Donna Summer or Diana Ross. All units feature their own unique retro decor, a live disco ball, a record player and vinyl collection, as well as a fully equipped kitchen, a king-size bed and outdoor space.
A short walk away is DreamCatcher’s other new property, Dada Jaja, which was inspired by the European avant-garde art movement of the early 20th century named Dadaism. This property also offers four units — three studios and a one- bedroom apartment — two of which mix vintage and modern decor in an industrial space, while the other two feel more like a minimalist desert escape with white and neutral tones.
Renovated Properties
Beyond the new properties coming to Puerto Rico, several popular hotels and resorts are currently undergoing renovations. At Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, for example, the 13 Banyan Villas will unveil their new look in March 2022.
A Banyan Villa at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel
Credit: 2022 Fairmont El San Juan HotelThese accommodations, which have been upgraded to offer a more luxurious experience, feature a one-story villa room with a king bed, an oversized dual-head shower and a private terrace with direct access to the property’s pools and gardens.
Though few details have been revealed, the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino recently finished a ballroom renovation and will be re-doing its Main Tower rooms throughout this year. Meanwhile, the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve launched six newly renovated private villas, known as Regency Suites. Each one offers an outdoor plunge pool and outdoor shower, as well as an outdoor dining area that’s just a short stroll away from the beach. The property also has new entertainment for guests, including a floating waterpark and Topgolf Swing Suites with simulator bays and a variety of virtual games.
New Experiences
For clients who enjoy casinos and gaming, this year is the perfect time to visit Puerto Rico. Condado Plaza Hilton is expected to open a new 15,000-square-foot gaming space with 300 slot machines and dozens of gaming tables, while in early February, Puerto Rico’s first-ever regulated sports betting platform went live at La Concha Resort's Casino del Mar.
La Concha Resort has also launched a new wellness retreat program available now through June. Clients can have a personalized wellness experience, including Oceanfront Suite accommodations, a program introduction and consultation with the property’s in-house wellness director, healing massage therapy, daily personalized wellness sessions and more.
2022 is also a special year for the city of San Juan, which will celebrate the 500th anniversary of its founding with a variety of cultural events now through June. The city has curated a new walking tour that will take guests on a two-and-a-half-hour journey through Old San Juan to learn about the city’s history while visiting the most iconic locations that shaped San Juan into what it is today. The tour departs daily at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. To reserve a spot for your client, call (787) 480-2910 or email mvelez@sanjuan.pr.
As part of the 500th anniversary celebrations, the Museum of San Juan has also inaugurated two special exhibits: “Image, Art and Devotion: San Juan 500 Years” and “The City in Time: Five Centuries of Artistic Representation of San Juan.”
Advice for Travel Advisors Selling Puerto Rico
When asked what words of wisdom he would share with travel advisors planning their clients’ trips to Puerto Rico, Dean said that “Discover Puerto Rico values the travel advisor community and cares deeply about the education we offer them in order to truly be specialized in what makes our island unique.”
Dean strongly encourages the use of the destination’s Expert Program, an online educational platform for travel professionals globally that empowers agents with knowledge about the destination. Puerto Rico Travel Expert Graduates can access cash, perks and travel opportunities through the loyalty program.
"We also recommend careful review of our official entry guidelines, as these can often change as the climate evolves,” he said. “The latest travel guidelines for the island are available on our Discover Puerto Rico website, along with a Q&A with in-depth information as we know travelers require clarity during this time.”
