Enhancing visitor transportation options is the opportunity to address at Porta del Sol
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico — Participants of the First Tourism Meeting: Porta del Sol Perspectives recounted similar experiences repeatedly. These often involved tourists running out of options to return to their accommodations, wasting time waiting for someone who could assist them, or simply giving up on visiting the western region of Puerto Rico because they couldn't figure out how to get there without renting a vehicle.
Currently, 26% of tourists visiting Puerto Rico use rideshare systems (such as Uber) to get around the destination. On the other hand, 15% of visitors use taxis. According to data from the Discover Puerto Rico Visitor Profile, the rest depend on car rentals, guided tours, or other transportation to explore the destination.
The event, organized by Discover Puerto Rico and the Cámara de Comercio del Oeste, brought together industry experts to discuss tourism performance, product development for visitors, and alternatives to increase the movement of tourists in the area.
Christian Acevedo, Director of Tourism in Aguada and founder of the Casa Azul bed & breakfast, stressed that the lack of structured transportation limits the tourist's experience.
This problem is not unique to the West. The absence of rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft and limitations on the availability of taxis constrain transportation alternatives for tourists.
"Right now, the West Region's biggest problem is the lack of a transportation system or a way for tourists to get there, other than rented cars," Acevedo said.
"Anyone in the West coast who creates an intermunicipal transportation system that allows those who stay in Aguadilla to move to Aguada or Mayagüez or San Germán without having to rent a car is going to do great because there is none," added the businessman.
For his part, Norberto Negrón, Executive Director of the Ports Authority, presented the agency's plans to strengthen air connectivity in the region, particularly at the Aguadilla airport. Those direct connections to Aguadilla or Ponce reduce the need for transportation from the San Juan metropolitan area.
"We are working on improvements to the infrastructure and have already begun repaving the runway. The goal is not only to attract tourist passengers but also to enhance the cargo industry, which, while not recreational tourists, includes professionals who come to the area and generate more income for local merchants," said Negrón.
The meeting also addressed the rise of alternative accommodations and strategies to enhance the tourist experience. Eric Ruiz Colón, from the Tryp by Wyndham Mayagüez, emphasized the importance of visitor experience in ensuring future visits and encouraging word-of-mouth recommendations for the destination.
"What truly matters is how tourists are treated inside and outside the accommodations. The visitor's perception holds great importance. How the tourist perceives the destination is crucial; if they do not have a positive impression, they are less likely to return or recommend us," he stated.
René Acosta, co-president of the Viva Puerto Rico Short Term Rental Alliance, highlighted the importance of short-term rentals to sustain tourism development in the region as they expand the destination's capacity to accommodate visitors.
"Today, the segment represents almost 50% of the accommodation supply on the island. Tourists are coming and will continue to come, because things are being done well and they like Puerto Rico, but we need these spaces to lodge them," he said.
However, he pointed out that the industry faces challenges such as regulation and growing competition, forcing owners to differentiate themselves through better service and quality to maintain the business.
From the perspective of bed and breakfasts, Acevedo highlighted personalized treatment as a differentiating element. At the same time, he added that innovation is key to standing out and attracting visitors. In their case since their lodging is on a cocoa farm, they offer their guests a 'tour' through the town to learn about the plant and the making of chocolate.
