Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) Executive Director Ingrid Rivera Rocafort has said that first International Tourism Expo of the Caribbean (ETI, for its Spanish acronym) will be a success as the event is set to take place May 13-16.

The four-day event will be held at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, and welcome global representatives and travel associates from more than 20 countries from all segments of the tourism industry.

“ETI-Puerto Rico is a key initiative to help promote our Island as a premier Caribbean destination. ETI-Puerto Rico will help showcase not only our diverse tourist offerings to travel agents and key international markets personnel, but also how Puerto Rico is an ideal destination for business travel and convention,” said Rivera Rocafort. The executive added that she is deeply satisfied with the results achieved at the moment and the growth potential of the event.

Participants will benefit from seminars, conferences, tours and social events to strengthen business networks and contacts among members of the industry.

Guest speakers include Nancy Friedman, President of Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training; Mark Murphy, President and CEO for Travalliance; Carol Johnson, TripAdvisor’s Sales Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean; and Professor Bruno Pujol, who will provide counseling about how to maximize market trends and the importance of customer service. More than 80 local and international companies, from segments like gastronomy, luxury, destination weddings, nature, adventure, cruise and hospitality, will exhibit their products and provide orientation to the 200 travel agents registered to be part of the event.

The event’s program also includes activities such as a “demo kitchen” to learn to prepare native dishes with renowned local chefs. Representatives from Puerto Rico, Colombia, Mexico, St. Kitts, and hotel company Sandals, will offer certification seminars to travel agents. Tours have also been coordinated to broaden the options available for visitors to enjoy their stay in Puerto Rico. The themes of these tours include eco-adventures, history, architecture, gastronomy, museums and shopping.

On Saturday, May 16, the Exhibition Hall will be open to the general public. For a nominal entrance fee, consumers will have the opportunity to learn about international destinations, participate in culinary demonstrations, enjoy raffles, paddle boarding experiences, and a live musical performance by internationally renowned Puerto Rican Salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa.

“We have high expectations for ETI-Puerto Rico. We are working hard to ensure that our visitors enjoy an all-star experience during their stay. We are also looking forward to the international exposure that the event will bring to Puerto Rico through specialized tourism industry publications, as well as the significant impact an event of this magnitude will have for the local economy,” said Rivera Rocafort. “We are confident that the events of this first edition of the Expo will bring new business opportunities, an increase in participants’ transactions, especially among travel agents and tourism industry professionals.”