Discover Porto Rico’s contract expires in three years and uncertainty if renovated is maintaining the potential business business, said the former -CEO of the destination Marketing Organization for the Sciff.
“This is a big problem for Puerto Rico and industry, and puts dating planners in a really difficult situation,” said Brad Dean, who left last month to execute Explore St. Louis.
Discover Puerto Rico’s 10-year contract expires in June 2028.
“Currently there are $ 101 million of the business and congresses business in the table that lies beyond that contract period,” he said.
A big convention – where you are bringing thousands of people to the island – usually reserved years ago.
Discover Puerto Rico has requested an extension of its contract, which must be approved by the Board of Directors and the Government, but without any confirmation so far, the events planned beyond the current contract are in limbo.
“Porto Rico’s governor was chosen by people, and she has every right and responsibility to review the contract … But the planners of the meeting must know that their global partners are prepared for what they have done,” he said.
Porto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón did not respond to the hawk’s requests for comment.
Dean claims that the government is putting Discover Puerto Rico in the position of “making promises they may not be able to fulfill”.
“To be clear, this is not why I left. I’m leaving for what I think is a better opportunity for me in a larger market and operation, with a greater salary. That was the draw. I chose St. Louis because I think there is a tremendous potential, ”he said for his new role, which he began on February 17th.
“But it was very disappointing to see my sales team working diligently to book the business and make big commitments just to let the bureaucrats shake your finger, wondering if the island needs that business.”
“Of course it created many challenges over the past year, and I can’t say we lost business just because it’s early during the day. But it’s a terrible precedent for our industry.”
Increasing tourism since 2018
In the past, Puerto Rico remained behind her neighbors in the Caribbean in the arrival and expenses of visitors, and Hurricane Maria hit in September 2017 damaged the infrastructure.
Much of the work on tourism on the island is divided between the private sector led by Puerto Rico and the government -led Puerto Rico tourism company.
When Dean became CEO in 2018, he worked with other organizations and actors of the tourism sector to benefit from the publicity and recognition of the name by Hurricane.
Since Pandemia, Porto Rico has seen a huge increase in tourism, with demand for visitors presenting 50% from the levels of 2018 to 2023.
During November 2024, data from Str Costar and Airdna showed that housing demand had reached nearly 6.7 million nights in the room, a 7% increase compared to the same period a year ago, Puerto Rico said.
Dean said his last 90 days like CEO were “a fire drill to inform planners” about expired contact.
Don, president and CEO of Destination International, believes that the discovery of Puerto Rico’s status should remain in place.
“This is a decision for the Governor to be made … However, given the census results and the very competitive market for attracting leisure tourists and business travelers, I believe it is more careful for Discover Puerto Rico to remain in its current structure,” he said.
Wales also believes the organization would have “more successful by attracting and keeping high -level talent remaining a nonprofit than a government extension”.
“Unfortunately, in recent years, I have witnessed some talented leaders leaving Puerto Rico Discover,” he told Skift. This included Dean and, finally, the former -cmo Leah Chandler.
It was clear that the current uncertainty about the discovery of Puerto Rico’s leadership and organization can be made to the event planners as they seek a predictable destination partner with the right team in the country to ensure the success of their event. “
Last year, former Porto Rico Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia told local media in San Juan Daily Star that he was in favor of renewing the contract.
However, it was noted that some representatives in the government were critical of Discover Puerto Rico, including Rep. Ángel Matos García. Skift asked García comment on this story, but did not receive an answer.