SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--While the assessment of impact across the island continues, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s preliminary report shows that major tourism infrastructure and attractions are operational and the island can continue to welcome new visitors. While power outages are present throughout the Island, many hotels, as well as essential services on the island such as hospitals, are operational due to generators and the majority of hotels throughout mainland Puerto Rico are ready to welcome new guests. Attractions such as parks and beaches are currently being assessed to ensure a committed focus on quick clean up in the coming days.
It is expected that flights to Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport will resume Thursday after an initial assessment has been completed early afternoon. Airport services, including car rentals, will resume when the airport reopens. Flight delays are expected, but inbound and outbound flights are set to resume this afternoon. Puerto Rico’s port is being assessed, and cruises to the island will resume shortly.
“After an early assessment this morning, we can attest to the fact that nearly all hotels in Puerto Rico are operational and apt to continue receiving guests. The public and private sectors worked together to implement emergency plans. Hotels and tourist attractions across the Island implemented safety measures before the storm that have allowed them to recover quickly. Travelers planning to visit Puerto Rico can be confident in that their travel plans should not be affected, and that our industry is ready to continue providing the quality experience that distinguishes us. Our thoughts are with our Caribbean neighbors who have also been impacted by this storm and those on the U.S. mainland who may still be in harm’s way,” said Jose Izquierdo, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
Throughout the storm, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company worked together with the private sector to manage all inquiries from concerned travelers and coordinated with other government agencies on efforts to prepare for Hurricane Irma’s potential impact.
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company continues to work with all tourism partners to further assess damage and ensure tourist sites can resume full operations as soon as it is safe to do so.
It is anticipated that the Puerto Rico Tourism Company offices will be open tomorrow, September 8, 2017, and further updates will be available as the island is further assessed.
Those with questions about accommodations can call the Puerto Rico Tourism Company hotline at 877.976.2400. For information on response and recovery efforts, please contact the Puerto Rico State Agency for Emergency and Disaster Management at 787.724.0124 or through their website http://www2.pr.gov/agencias/aemead/Pages/Home.aspx.
For more information on emergency services and resources of information for Hurricane Irma in Puerto Rico visit http://puertoriconow.seepuertorico.com/.
About Puerto Rico Tourism Company
The
Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), founded in 1970, is a public
corporation responsible for stimulating, promoting and regulating the
development of the tourism industry. It markets Puerto Rico as a tourism
destination through advertising, public relations and promotional
activities; promotes tourism among visitors and local residents;
provides visitor orientation and technical assistance to investors;
evaluates tourism facilities and establishes standards of quality; and
regulates and oversees gaming operations. PRTC has offices and
representatives in the U.S. mainland, Canada, Europe and Latin America.
