Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean Provides Island Update

Travelers' changing perceptions about travel to Puerto Rico and island officials' efforts to speed its post-storm recovery are driving the destination's tourism rebound, said Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico (DPR), the island's destination marketing agency.

Consumers' plans to visit Puerto Rico remain little changed following Fiona, Dean said, pointed to DPR data that indicates most travelers who intended to visit the island prior to Fiona say the storm had little impact on their future travel plans.

The study found most travelers whose Puerto Rico plans were impacted by Fiona shifted their trips to other areas of the island. Fewer than 10 percent canceled their trip or opted for another destination.

Past storms have also readied tourism and government officials, who've formulated plans to ensure the safety of visitors and residents while resuming tourism activities.

"We have extensive experience managing through adversity and coming back stronger, better and better prepared for the future," said Dean. "The response was pretty quick to get tourism back up and running. This is a setback, not a re-set for the island."

Airport Access

'Falling across the island's southwestern edge, Fiona spared northeastern Puerto Rio districts including San Juan, Dean said. "Within 24 hours after landfall, Luis Marin Munoz Airport in San Juan was open and airlines were resuming schedules," Dean said.