by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:16 PM ET, Wed April 3, 2019
In case there was any lingering doubt-Puerto Rico's tourism industry is well on its way to recovery post-Hurricane Maria.
A new report from the Associated Press says visitors are flocking to the U.S. territory in record numbers.
In fact, a staggering 1.7 million cruise ship passengers are expected to visit the island this fiscal year. What's more, new hotels have opened and additional airlift to the destination has been announced.
And that's not all. Even the smaller of Puerto Rico's two international airports is posting record numbers. In February alone, 54,000 passengers passed through Rafael Hernandez Airport, which is located in the municipality of Aguadilla on the west coast of the island.
Just a few hotels still remain closed as a result of the storm that hit the island in 2017 causing more than $100 billion in damage, according to the Associated Press.
Life in the island's capital of San Juan has also largely returned to normal, the Associated Press says.
While there's still the occasional power outage, all of Puerto Rico's beaches are open to visitors as are most of the trails in its famed El Yunque National Forest, a tropical rainforest on the northeastern part of the island.
Spring breakers are also heading to the island in droves.
Allianz Global Assistance recently revealed its list of top international spring break destinations, and once again, enough Americans are traveling to the island to put it in the number-five spot on the list.
"Americans are once again spending their travel funds in Puerto Rico, which has made an impressive comeback as it continues to rebuild after Hurricane Maria," said Daniel Durazo, director of communications for Allianz Global Assistance USA.
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