P.R. to host world’s largest travel agent conference in ’11
The American Society of Travel Agents, known as ASTA, the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau and the Tourism Company announced Tuesday that Puerto Rico will host ASTA’s International Destination Expo in 2011, the association’s biggest international event.
Daphne Barbeito, ASTA chapter president for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, said hosting this event holds tremendous potential for Puerto Rico, as it has helped develop tourism in other destinations where it has been held, including Sun City, South Africa and Lyon, France, among others.
“It is a great opportunity for the island to position itself as the main destination of the Caribbean and show our visitors that Puerto Rico does it better,” said Barbeito during a press conference Tuesday.
More than 1,000 ASTA members and more than 150 supplier companies — totaling 200 booths — are expected at the International Destination Expo, which features a trade show, educational seminars, certifications and networking sessions.
In addition to the expo, which will take place at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, participants will be offered a variety of tours and excursions to get to know the island.
ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo said the event is not only unique for the hands-on training participants receive, but for the experience these agents will get to enrich their personal knowledge and understanding of the destination, so they can convey this experience upon their return,
“The IDE will be a great opportunity for Puerto Rico to present itself to the world as an important destination in the Americas and strengthen the tourism industry, offering a chance to develop vacation packages and pre- and post-stays for cruise ships departing the island,” Russo said via a press release.
Barbeito expects to see results from the event as early as the following year, based on previous experience in other destinations.
“In 2012, we hope to increase the number of tourists by 30 percent with the promotion we will receive from the participating travel agents,” said Barbeito.
While ASTA estimates the participation of at least 1,000 members, this number could increase. ASTA has 20,000 members in 130 countries.
Puerto Rico Convention Bureau President Ana María Viscasillas agrees the best part of hosting this event is the promotion and potential business Puerto Rico will get.
“It is not just a four-day event,” said Viscasillas. “We are strongly working together with the Tourism Company on pre- and post-stays and starting next year, Puerto Rico will benefit from the publicity for the event.”
She added that when ASTA’s Board of Directors came to the island last year and the PRCB presented the destination for the event, they were sold because the best tool to sell Puerto Rico is to bring them here. That is what this event will do in a grand scale with travel industry representatives from around the world.
The Tourism Company is investing around $600,000 in transportation, excursions and familiarization events for the participants, as well as promotion, Tourism Company Deputy Director Mario González said.
By April 2011, he expects to be done with many of the rehabilitation projects for Old San Juan, Condado and the San Juan Waterfront area, which include the re-opening of the Dos Hermanos Bridge and the revamping of abandoned buildings in these areas.
The agency is also working with ASTA to provide certifications for travel agents during the event so they can better sell the destination.
Daphne Barbeito, ASTA chapter president for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, said hosting this event holds tremendous potential for Puerto Rico, as it has helped develop tourism in other destinations where it has been held, including Sun City, South Africa and Lyon, France, among others.
“It is a great opportunity for the island to position itself as the main destination of the Caribbean and show our visitors that Puerto Rico does it better,” said Barbeito during a press conference Tuesday.
More than 1,000 ASTA members and more than 150 supplier companies — totaling 200 booths — are expected at the International Destination Expo, which features a trade show, educational seminars, certifications and networking sessions.
In addition to the expo, which will take place at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, participants will be offered a variety of tours and excursions to get to know the island.
ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo said the event is not only unique for the hands-on training participants receive, but for the experience these agents will get to enrich their personal knowledge and understanding of the destination, so they can convey this experience upon their return,
“The IDE will be a great opportunity for Puerto Rico to present itself to the world as an important destination in the Americas and strengthen the tourism industry, offering a chance to develop vacation packages and pre- and post-stays for cruise ships departing the island,” Russo said via a press release.
Barbeito expects to see results from the event as early as the following year, based on previous experience in other destinations.
“In 2012, we hope to increase the number of tourists by 30 percent with the promotion we will receive from the participating travel agents,” said Barbeito.
While ASTA estimates the participation of at least 1,000 members, this number could increase. ASTA has 20,000 members in 130 countries.
Puerto Rico Convention Bureau President Ana María Viscasillas agrees the best part of hosting this event is the promotion and potential business Puerto Rico will get.
“It is not just a four-day event,” said Viscasillas. “We are strongly working together with the Tourism Company on pre- and post-stays and starting next year, Puerto Rico will benefit from the publicity for the event.”
She added that when ASTA’s Board of Directors came to the island last year and the PRCB presented the destination for the event, they were sold because the best tool to sell Puerto Rico is to bring them here. That is what this event will do in a grand scale with travel industry representatives from around the world.
The Tourism Company is investing around $600,000 in transportation, excursions and familiarization events for the participants, as well as promotion, Tourism Company Deputy Director Mario González said.
By April 2011, he expects to be done with many of the rehabilitation projects for Old San Juan, Condado and the San Juan Waterfront area, which include the re-opening of the Dos Hermanos Bridge and the revamping of abandoned buildings in these areas.
The agency is also working with ASTA to provide certifications for travel agents during the event so they can better sell the destination.