Leah Chandler, chief marketing officer at Discover Puerto Rico, revealed the destination was “opening up a marketing component for the LGBTQ market” going into 2020 and would be setting a “special budget set aside” for marketing activities aimed at this demographic.
“Historically the Caribbean has not been seen as welcoming for LGBTQ visitors.
“We want to communicate we are a good destination for this demographic because as we are part of the US, we have all the same equality laws and legal protections in place,” said Chandler.
She confirmed partners across the destination, including in hotels and tourist attractions, had recently undergone inclusivity training to make them more sensitive to LGBTQ tourists.
“When you show tourists that you are inclusive of the LGBTQ community, it speaks to inclusivity as a whole and makes other groups feel more welcome too,” said Chandler.
Discussing new LGBTQ product, Chandler confirmed Puerto Rico would add to its existing three annual Pride celebrations by holding its first ever Winter Pride Fest from 12 to 16 December this year.
It will take place in Old San Juan, which is located on the islet of San Juan. The event’s official celebration party will feature Alyssa Edwards, a past contestant from LGBTQ-focussed reality television series RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Other upcoming developments for Puerto Rico include the opening of El Distrito, a $400 million development which will soft-launch in February 2020.
The complex will feature indoor and outdoor areas with dining, shopping, nightlife, eight movie theatres and a 200-room Aloft hotel. The complex will be located a five-minute drive from Old San Juan.
