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PR small inns full during Memorial Day weekend

“In Turtle Bay Inn, we were 100 percent full this weekend and we have received many last-minute calls looking for the quality product we offer,” said Zulma Rivera, owner and operator of the “parador.”

Puerto Rico’s “paradores,” or small inns, were between 90 percent and 100 percent full over the Memorial Day weekend, members of the Small Inn Owners Association said Monday.

“We certainly did not expect such a high occupancy during this long weekend. The pace of reservations during the month of May had behaved slower than in previous years, given the economic uncertainty in our island, and given that Memorial Day was so close to graduations,” said Tomás Ramírez, Association president and co-owner of Parador Combate Beach Resort in Cabo Rojo.

He added that the small inns developed several “value-added” campaigns to draw in guests, and the “pace of reservations continued to accelerate to an average of about 90 percent in occupancy during this long weekend,” added Ramírez.

The trade group leader said the sector has been observing a “consistent increase of foreign tourists who choose small inns for their stay as a result of the promotional work we do off the island. This is very positive for Puerto Rico.”

During the months of December 2016 to May 2017, the island has seen an influx of North American, European, and Puerto Rican families residing in the U.S. mainland. At present, more than 28 percent of small in guests are non-residents, Ramírez added.

“In Turtle Bay Inn, we were 100 percent full this weekend and we have received many last-minute calls looking for the quality product we offer,” said Zulma Rivera, owner and operator of the “parador.”

Similarly, Héctor Ruiz, general manager of Parador Villa Antonio in Rincón, said “there is great demand for our ‘parador.’ We were at about 99 percent occupancy, from Friday to Sunday and hope to repeat something similar next weekend.”

Ramírez said a higher number of calls for this long weekend were received between last Wednesday and Friday, as well as from June to August.

“We received many calls from people looking to celebrate their graduating student as well as Father’s Day weekend at our ‘paradores’,” said Ramírez.

“The ‘paradores’ are ready and are the best alternative for the summer season, and we invite you to call us and book as soon as possible,” said Xavier A. Ramírez, general manager of Parador Combate Beach Resort.

“This year, the pace of reservations for June and July is a little faster than in previous years, but we still have many rooms available. Ask for last-minute offers,” he said

The Small Inn Owners Association comprises the: Boquemar in Boqueron, El Buen Café in Hatillo, Combate Beach Resort in Playa El Combate, El Faro in Aguadilla, Turtle Bay Inn in La Parguera, Villa Antonio in Rincón, and Villas Sotomayor in Adjuntas.

“The ‘paradores’ in the Association feel optimistic about this summer season. We continue to develop new techniques to reach other markets, and creating value-added offerings to attract local and foreign tourists to our areas. Many tourists choose to stay during the week, when rates are cheaper,” Ramírez said.

Author Details
Author Details
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
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