Puerto Rico, Travel Agents Teaming Up

Puerto Rico’s battered tourism infrastructure after Hurricane Maria, isn't only impacting travelers to the island territory.

With people across the island needing to cancel or delay travel plans in the wake of the storm, Puerto Rico’s 200+ retail travel agents have taken a definite financial hit. But things are starting to look up.

The island’s three top travel agency associations, including the local ASTA chapter, the Puerto Rican Association of Travel Agents (APAV) and the Society of Excursionists Wholesalers (SOME), have just announced they are teaming together with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR) to quickly get back to business providing travel services for the people of Puerto Rico.

Angel Alverio, the local ASTA representative and owner of LT Travel Agency in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico said a “large number of Puerto Rican travelers had their air reservations, cruises and excursions planned before the passage of Hurricane Maria,” according to local publication El Vocero.

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He added travel agents along with their airline, wholesale and other industry partners have been doing a “titanic job to protect and support their customers by processing their cancellations and reimbursements all while looking for alternatives for new reservations of all classes."

According to the CTPR, about 35 percent , or 64 of the island’s 200 agencies, are already back at work during regular hours.

Of course, many them are home-based agents which provides them the flexibility to work from any location, as long as they have access to phone service or Wi-Fi.

Alverio says that number is increasing every day.

To make life a little easier, the CTPR has “relaxed” some of its “operational regulations” to help agents get back to work “serving our customers,” said Alverio.

In particular, the tourism agency announced it is offering a six-month extension to travel agents on their annual registration fees. These tariffs, normally due in July, may now be paid through the end of December without penalty, according to Hoy Los Angeles.

Also helping boost travel among locals is the return of Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas, which re-started its homeport operation in San Juan on Oct. 7.

READ MORE: Puerto Rico Tourism Suffers Post Hurricane Maria

Meanwhile, Jose Izquierdo, executive director of Puerto Rico Tourism Company acknowledged the important work carried out by travel agents and their valuable contribution to the tourist activity and economic development of the island.

“[We] reaffirm our commitment to continue working as a team with the leaders of the three main associations that represent this sector to facilitate the recovery process and build a stronger industry,” he said.

Izquierdo also reminded all travelers, for their own protection, to ensure they are using the services of a travel agency recognized by the CTPR.