Cruise Arrivals Fuel Record-Breaking Year for Puerto Rico
by Marsha Mowers
Norwegian Jade. Photo: NCL
For the fourth year in a row, Puerto Rico broke records for arrivals with nearly 7 million passenger arrivals in 2024, a large portion of that number from cruise travellers.
6.6 million passengers arrived at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, representing an increase 518,000 or 8%, over 2023. The island logged almost 7.3 million room nights, a 7% increase over 2023. Cruise arrivals saw the biggest increase – 1.4 million passengers visited San Juan Cruise Port in 2024– 10% more than 2023.
“Puerto Rico’s tourism industry has reached new heights in 2024, solidifying our position as a leading global destination,” said Leah Chandler, CMO of Discover Puerto Rico. “This milestone year reflects not just the appeal of the Island’s vibrant culture and natural beauty, but the tireless dedication of our team and partners who have embraced innovative strategies to elevate Puerto Rico’s profile. As we set our sights on 2025, we’re focused on sustaining this momentum and continuing to inspire travelers around the globe to visit our Island.”
The significant increase in cruise arrivals was due to the DMO’s first-ever cruise specific promotion. The campaign was designed to elevate Puerto Rico as a premiere cruise destination through engaging video content and SEO and online tactics. Additionally, the campaign also featured US-focused campaigns in major markets across the country.
“Puerto Rico’s tourism growth is a testament to the transformative power of bold marketing and strategic partnerships,” Chandler added. “By authentically amplifying the Island’s vibrant culture and embracing the latest technologies, we’ve ignited a new wave of travelers while setting a groundbreaking standard for how destinations connect with audiences on a deeper, more meaningful level.”
The increased vistation has also helped the local economy by adding a record 101,700 leisure and hospitality jobs by November 2024, a 5% increase over the previous year, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
