San Juan, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico is gearing up for a bustling holiday season as both local residents and international tourists flock to the island to escape the winter chill and immerse themselves in the warmth of Puerto Rican culture. Tourism officials anticipate a strong performance this year, driven by a combination of factors including increased airlift, attractive marketing campaigns, and the enduring appeal of the island's unique blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences.

According to data provided by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CT), hotel occupancy rates are projected to be between 70% and 80% across all regions. For December 2024, the metropolitan area is expected to see an occupancy rate of 76.8% for bed and breakfasts, with an average nightly rate of $247.07. Hotels in the same area are projected to have an occupancy rate of 87.2% at an average rate of $317.33 per night. Resorts in the metropolitan area are forecast to have an 83.4% occupancy rate.

Outside the metropolitan area, bed and breakfasts are projected to have a 37.4% occupancy rate, hotels 68.3%, and resorts 71.4%.

“Based on our projections for the end of 2024, the current trend of reservations in properties endorsed by the agency reflects a healthy and consistent occupancy rate,” said Carlos Mercado, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “Furthermore, we anticipate that these percentages will continue to rise as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach due to last-minute bookings.”

Mercado encouraged residents considering domestic tourism during the holidays to make their reservations early due to the anticipated high demand.

“Puerto Rico continues to be a preferred destination during this time, especially for international tourists seeking to escape the winter and enjoy the experience of our ‘endless summer,’ diversity of attractions, culture, and above all, our popular Christmas traditions,” Mercado added.

Xavier Ramírez, president of the Association of Puerto Rican Paradors and Small Inns (APPHP), told EL VOCERO that the outlook is positive, with many people expressing their desire to return after a successful summer tourism campaign.

“It’s going to be a very positive year, and with it being an election year, the traditional holiday celebrations in all the towns tend to be bigger than usual. All these factors contribute to making this a good year to visit Puerto Rico, and the forecasts of both Discover Puerto Rico and the Tourism Company are very positive for the holiday season,” said Ramírez.

He also mentioned that several new airline routes have been added, connecting the island with more destinations, which will have a positive impact on both paradors and large-scale hotels.

Ricardo Cortés, director of public affairs at Discover Puerto Rico, agreed that the outlook is positive, noting that the U.S. market is expected to see similar levels of demand as last year, which he described as “very good.”

“In terms of rentals, demand is higher than last year, and hotel demand remains similar to last year. Air ticket reservations are also showing growth for the peak season. 2024 is shaping up to be another record year in several areas, including accommodation revenue and visitor numbers,” said Cortés.

However, Cortés also noted a slight slowdown in growth compared to previous years. He attributed this to factors such as higher inflation and economic uncertainty.

Despite this, both the tourism company and industry stakeholders are optimistic about the upcoming holiday season, with strong projections for occupancy rates and revenue.