New York City and Puerto Rico Form New Tourism Alliance

November 8, 2018

Last month, NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization and Discover Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico’s newly established destination marketing organization, signed a first-ever partnership to boost tourism between the two destinations

Formalized at a press conference on Oct. 23 at El Museo del Barrio in Manhattan, the new one-year city-to-island alliance includes a collaboration agreement between Puerto Rico and New York City; the exchange of marketing assets to boost reciprocal travel; the sharing of best practices in tourism marketing and management, and the continued support of Puerto Rico’s ongoing recovery following Hurricane Maria. 

NYC & Company Board of Directors Vice Chairman Charles Flateman and Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean signed the new agreement at the event, which was hosted by Lin-Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton” fame.   

“As Puerto Rico continues its recovery, NYC & Company is pleased to do its part to further encourage visitation from New York City to Puerto Rico,” Flateman said.

He continued, “Now more than ever, we need to support and celebrate the island while also creating economic impact for the destination. We are honored to work alongside Discover Puerto Rico to communicate that it’s open for business and welcoming travelers.” 

According to NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon, there couldn’t be a better time for the new alliance.

“We are proud to partner with Discover Puerto Rico to encourage and welcome visitation to the island,” Dixon said. “New York City and Puerto Rico share a diverse culture and vibrancy that cultivates a unique affinity between the two destinations.” 

He added, “This first-ever city-to-island partnership is a remarkable representation of the unity between New York City and Puerto Rico, and we look forward to a productive year ahead.” 

NYC PR

Dean said he believes the unprecedented partnership with NYC & Company will help take Discover Puerto Rico’s strategic tourism efforts to the next level.

“We are working aggressively to elevate Puerto Rico’s brand and make it visible to the world as a premier travel destination,” Dean explained. “Puerto Rico is open for business and eager to share its rich and diverse culture with visitors.”

He continued, “Our entire Island is brimming with festivals, events, attractions and natural beauty that are waiting to be discovered this holiday season. Puerto Rico is ready to celebrate.”

The city-to-island partnership includes a swap of marketing and advertising assets, which are valued at $300,800. 

Beginning Nov. 19, New York City campaign advertisements will be featured on select billboards throughout San Juan, Puerto Rico for three months, while Puerto Rico advertisements will appear on bus stop shelters and LinkNYC screens across New York City’s five boroughs through Jan. 13. 

“This partnership is deeply personal for me as it formally bridges two of the most fundamental parts of my identity,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

He continued, “As a first-generation New Yorker with parents from Puerto Rico and family on the island, I’ve always felt a special connection not only to my life in upper Manhattan but with my roots and summers spent in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico. I do not exist without both or either. (This) public commitment and bond between these two places that I hold so dear could not be more meaningful.” 

 

Don’t miss any event news! Sign up for any (or all) of our e-newsletters HERE & engage with us on Twitter, FacebookLinkedIn & Instagram!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.  Remodeled Guest Rooms MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites. Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation. Reinvented Luxury Experiences The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes. New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May. Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.  A “New Wave  for Mandalay Bay A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay. Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center  is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options. From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.