In fact, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the cruise industry's recovery, reported Clarivette Díaz, general manager of San Juan Cruise Ports and special guest at the event. “At San Juan Cruise Port, we are pleased to see how the industry's momentum is also reflected in the increase in passenger traffic. We expect to close 2025 with nearly 1.7 million passengers and to surpass pre-pandemic numbers in 2026, reaching about 1.9 million passengers. This success confirms the cruise lines' renewed confidence in Puerto Rico and the tangible results of the improvements we are implementing.”
“To date, we have invested more than $150 million, including an initial $75 million payment, in an improvement and modernization program transforming San Juan's cruise terminals. Thanks to these advances, the port can now accommodate large vessels, such as the new generation of the Icon of the Seas and the Star of the Seas, strengthening the island's position as a leading Caribbean destination,” Díaz informed.
During the event, Discover Puerto Rico shared details on promotional initiatives to increase demand in the coming months. Glorianna Yamín, Vice President of Marketing, outlined creative efforts that highlight small businesses in the tourism sector, as well as collaborations with Pandora and The New York Times that emphasize Puerto Rican musical culture.
Efforts with Expedia and our internal channels will also include special lodging offers. A unique holiday project with El Mundo de Nana y Nina (The World of Nana and Nina), which incorporates cultural elements into children's stories to share with potential visitors, will be launched in late November, Yamin said.
In the groups and conventions segment, Discover Puerto Rico announced that the Island was selected to host the SITE Classic, one of the main events in the incentive travel sector. Similarly, EduCon, one of the Professional Convention Management Association's (PCMA) flagship events, will be held in Puerto Rico next June, generating a multi-million-dollar economic impact on the destination.
