The U.S. Travel Association’s Recovery Dashboard with data from Tourism Economics continues to highlight Puerto Rico as the leader in recovery. When comparing monthly spending, on average, the U.S. was approximately 11% below the same time two years ago in September. But travel spending in Puerto Rico was more than 23% above that mark. While eight U.S. states are seeing visitor spending levels above 2019, they range from between 1% and 9% higher while Puerto Rico’s visitor spending was 23% higher than two years ago.
This holds true for many of the Island’s travel niches, not the least of which is golf. Puerto Rico’s 18 courses, beaches, and other tropically enhanced places and activities are an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate during fall and winter, when sun-kissed temperatures average in the 80s.
Golf is particularly prospering in Puerto Rico during the pandemic, stemming from the inherent safeness and ideal social distancing found in the game and on the Island. Furthermore, Puerto Rico has the highest percentage of people fully vaccinated against the coronavirus in the United States as of Oct. 19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A healthy 73% of Puerto Rico’s total population of 3.3 million are fully inoculated against the virus, according to CDC data. The U.S. territory also has one of the lowest COVID community transmission rates in the U.S., with only 18 confirmed cases among 100,000 residents in the last seven days.
Sixteen of Puerto Rico’s 18 golf courses are open to the public. The other two – at TPC Dorado Beach – allow play by guests staying at the Dorado Beach, Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Golfweek rates several of the Island’s courses among the best in the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica and the Atlantic Islands.
Island courses range from luxury resort to municipal, spread throughout Puerto Rico with several clustered near historic San Juan. Oceanside views, coconut trees, and mountain and rainforest vistas frame their settings. Price points, terrain, layout style, and related amenities are varied and complementary.
Traveling to the Island is convenient with many choices as it is the air hub of the Caribbean. Further traveler friendliness is found in Puerto Rico’s bilingual culture, U.S. currency, and no passport required for American citizens.
For more information on the Island, travel guidelines, golf courses, resorts and hotels, and other destination attractions, visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com
