The Governor of Puerto Rico Jenniffer Gonzalez and Tourism Minister David Collado announced last week the signing of a collaborative agreement, backed by a US$2 million investment, to jointly promote tourism in both island destinations. As reported in El Nuevo Dia of Puerto Rico, the idea for the partnership originated when Gonzalez and Collado met at this year’s International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, Spain.
The initiative, branded “The Caribbean is Us,” aims to create multi-destination travel packages and campaigns, targeting markets in the United States and Europe. The joint promotion is set to launch in May 2025 with support from airlines such as Frontier and newcomer Arajet, the Santo Domingo and Punta Cana-based low-cost airline. JetBlue, American, Delta, Copa and Sky High also fly to Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic.
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As reported in El Nuevo Dia, Governor González stated: “This agreement reaffirms our commitment to sustainable economic development, the strengthening of our tourism industry and the well-being of our communities. We are betting on a model of collaboration that positions Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic as complementary destinations and strategic allies in the region.”
The partnership seeks to encourage tourists to explore both islands, capitalizing on their close proximity and complementary attractions. Each country will contribute US$1 million to fund joint promotional activities, including travel packages, events, and festivals.
Minister Collado emphasized the significance of the agreement, noting that tourism is a key economic driver for the Dominican Republic, contributing significantly to its GDP. Collado explained that last year 255,000 Puerto Ricans visited the Dominican Republic. The number is expected to reach 300,000 in 2025.
For Puerto Rico, the initiative is a way for that country to piggyback on the Dominican Republic’s booming tourism and superb international air connections. The goal is to promote multi-destination tourism, allowing tourist to begin their trip in one location, and conclude it in the other. The close distance and the new competition of Arajet that is driving the market to offer more attractive fares, make this goal attainable. The flight between both countries takes less than an hour.
