Newly-released figures from the Puerto Rico Tourism Company have revealed a steady increase in the number of visitors to the Caribbean destination, effectively demonstrating the success a new marketing campaign. First quarter 2011 hotel occupancy rates show a four percent increase over 2010, and Puerto Rico tourism officials anticipate a three-to-four percent rise in total tourism visits this year.

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) has launched an on-line reservation system offering in-depth information for lodging and flight options specifically for the island.

By Marvin A. Hokstam:No destination in the Caribbean seems to realise better than Puerto Rico that inventiveness is key in today’s world economy. The Spanish speaking US state is pouring multi millions into constructing the largest convention centre in the region and has committed to competing aggressively for a fair share in the rapidly growing ‘convention tourism market’. At the end of a tour of the facilities, still under construction, at the entrance of Old San Juan, one could not but agree with a lenticular postcard sized flyer that interchanges from an artist’s rendition of the Convention Centre into a huge wave. “The design of the building depicts the waves of the sea that surround us,” explained Ana Viscasillas, Vice President, Marketing of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. No doubt. The island is evidently ready to take the convention tourism market by storm.