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Governor Jenniffer González Colón is set to participate in the International Tourism Fair (FITUR, as referred to in Spanish) taking place in Madrid, Spain, as announced by the governor’s office on Wednesday.
During González Colón’s absence, Secretary of State Veronica Ferraiuoli Hornedo will be acting as the interim governor.
González Colón and Willianette Robles, Executive Director of Puerto Rico Tourism Co. (CTPR in Spanish), expressed that Puerto Rico has already commenced activities related to its involvement in the latest FITUR edition.
This global gathering for tourism industry professionals features participation from 156 countries, showcasing a diverse array of destinations and businesses. FITUR opened on Wednesday and will continue through Sunday at the IFEMA exhibition center in Madrid.
“We cannot afford to lose time; we must attract investments, explore new markets, and solidify those we currently have if we envision a Puerto Rico full of opportunities, and tourism plays a key role in our economic growth,” González Colón remarked in a written statement. “FITUR stands as a significant opportunity to achieve this goal; the multitude of travel agents, reporters, and international influencers provide a platform that I am confident our team at the Tourism Company will successfully capitalize on.”
Robles emphasized that “Puerto Rico’s proactive involvement in an event of FITUR’s scale at the international level is crucial for enhancing our image as a key tourist destination in the Caribbean region.”
“Moreover, this significant tourism fair serves as an invaluable platform for initiating new partnerships and reinforcing existing ones with airlines, businesses, and other sectors that play a vital role in the tourism sector’s growth and Puerto Rico’s economic advancement, in line with this administration’s goals.”
FITUR is the foremost tourism industry event in Europe, where Latin America’s inbound and outbound markets converge, boasting an expected attendance of over 250,000 participants.
The Puerto Rico exhibition area is located in Pavilion 3 (Stand 3 B04).
This year’s delegation includes: Discover Puerto Rico, Snorkeling Puerto Rico, Residence Inn, HB Travel, RST, San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Verdanza Hotel, IHE, ALMA Hotel, HB Tours, Wyndham Río Mar, ToroVerde, Isla Caribe, Isla Nena Biobay Boat Tours & Borikua Tours, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Esto es vida Properties, Paulson Puerto Rico, Municipality of San Juan, Municipality of Ponce, Municipality of Caguas, Municipality of Aguadilla, B Travel, Invest Puerto Rico, Aerostar, San Juan Cruise Port, Route Developer, and the House of Representatives and Senate of Puerto Rico, among others.
San Juan in Madrid
For the second year in a row, the Municipality of San Juan is participating in FITUR, this time presenting its new tourism promotional initiative titled “Déjate Llevar” (Let Yourself Go).
The mission of the capital city in Madrid will be to enhance its visibility at the fair, aiming to attract the European market and a global audience with a campaign emphasizing the city’s history, culture, and distinctive diversity.
“We return to FITUR with enthusiasm and a clear aim: to invite the world to experience San Juan, a vibrant city that merges history, modernity, and culture,” remarked San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo during the campaign’s launch on Wednesday. “Our aspiration is for every visitor to take home an unforgettable experience and, most importantly, to feel the authentic spirit of our capital.”
As part of his participation at FITUR, Romero Lugo is scheduled to engage in significant discussions with the mayors of Madrid and Seville to share perspectives on the development of smart cities, micro-networks, and walkability.
