Coming to a City Near You - Puerto Rico Now!

Puerto Rico Tourism Company to leverage star power and technology on a multi-city tour; Special travel deals to make Island destination of choice for U.S. travelers in fall/winter months

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- With fall in the air and the chill of winter just weeks away, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) is calling in some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment to encourage consumers across the U.S. to make the Island of Enchantment their next vacation destination. The sights, rhythms and flavors of Puerto Rico are coming to a city near you in September and October, through experiential consumer events designed to entice travel to tropical Puerto Rico, where No Passport is Required for U.S. citizens. A multi-city U.S. tour starts in Washington, DC with a tribute to Puerto Rican culture at the Smithsonian Latino Center and continues to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York where pop-up stores recreating the charm of Old San Juan, the lush scenery of the El Yunque Rain Forest, and the breathtaking beaches of Puerto Rico will bring to life the elements that make the Island unique. These installations will feature innovative technological elements -- including experiential photo booths -- to showcase the Island's cosmopolitan flare, music and dance, thriving coffee region, and innovative culinary scene.

"There has never been a better time to visit Puerto Rico," said Terestella Gonzalez Denton, Executive Director, PRTC. "In spite of the current economic climate, travelers can find a wide array of vacation options on our Island: from deluxe hotels to family-owned inns, all of which offer access to our beaches, mountains and cultural attractions. Through this U.S. tour, we aim to highlight that Puerto Rico has something for everyone at all price points."

The U.S. cities tour will also include the introduction of city-specific travel deals that will provide travelers with substantial savings on airfare, hotel accommodations and car rental. These promotions should further entice travelers to fly down to Puerto Rico, enjoy the beaches, and explore beyond the shore to discover other treasures throughout the Island.

Puerto Rico events throughout the U.S. are listed below; with the exception of Boston, where a game day ticket is required, these events are free and open to the public during the hours specified.

Washington, DC - A Celebration of Heritage

Venue: Smithsonian Museum (September 17 - January 18, 2009)

The Smithsonian Latino Center presents a special exhibit at the museum, "Posters from the Division of Community Education (DIVEDCO) of Puerto Rico, 1949-1989" which will display Puerto Rican poster art from the mid-20th Century. The posters were commissioned by the Government over the course of 40 years to inspire all Puerto Ricans to promote greater appreciation for education and the arts. The exhibit will run from September 17th through January, 18th, 2009. For information on this exhibit, and other events celebrating Puerto Rican culture at the Smithsonian, visit: http://latino.si.edu/newsevents/

The Smithsonian Con Sabor Legacy Awards gala also forms part of this year of activity and pays tribute to the accomplishments of noted Puerto Rican scientists, scholars and artists. This year's honorees are Dr. Antonia Novello -- Former U.S. Surgeon General; Dr. Orlando Figueroa -- Director of Applied Engineering and Technology, NASA; Dr. Juan Flores -- Director of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College; Marta Casals Istomin -- Former Artistic Director, John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts; Ariel Lugo -- Director, USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry; Pepon Osorio - International Artist.

Boston, MA - Red Sox Fever (September 22-28)

Venue: Fenway Park

Time: Check local listings; gate opening times may vary

Throughout the week, fans will be encouraged to visit the colorful Puerto Rico Tourism Company booth located in Fenway Park's Big Concourse adjacent to Gate C. While there, they can find out more about exciting offers to go to Puerto Rico and enter an experiential photo booth where they can take home a photo of them on the Island of Enchantment. In the booth, they'll be transported to the beautiful landscapes and vistas of signature Puerto Rican gems, such as the El Yunque rainforest and Old San Juan. During the week, raffle entries will be available at the booth, and one lucky fan will be selected during each game to receive a free trip to Puerto Rico.

Chicago, IL - Sabor Puertorriqueno (October 2-4)

Venue: Shops at Northbridge

Time: 10AM - 6PM

In May of this year, millions of TV viewers got to see first-hand why Puerto Rico is the culinary capital of the Caribbean. San Juan, the setting for the two-part season finale of Bravo's hit show, Top Chef, is home to a thriving "foodie" scene where local chefs are elevating local fare and fusing it with international flavors. Puerto Rico is bringing the flavor of the Island to life in Chicago through a dynamic pop-up store/restaurant that will feature Bravo's Top Chef winner, Stephanie Izard, along with one of the Island's most acclaimed chefs. The two will prepare a new spin on classic Puerto Rican fare and teach visitors how they too can incorporate Puerto Rican flavor into everyday cooking.

Los Angeles, CA - Calling all Salseros (October 16-18)

Venue: Visit www.GoToPuertoRico.com for venue details

Salsa, bomba, plena -- the rhythms of Puerto Rican music are rooted in African, European and Indian influences and are danced the world over. As these dances can sometimes get a little tricky for the uninitiated, PRTC has a special surprise for Los Angeles' budding salseros: one-on-one lessons with a primetime TV figure who can break down the intricacies of one of the sultriest dances in the Americas. Sto teach Los Angeles-area residents how to keep their footing through intricate moves that mark these distinct dances. The Los Angeles pop-up store will be a full-fledged dance floor where consumers can try again, and again, how to get their twists and turns just right with the help of one of the most renowned dancers on primetime television.

New York, NY - Grand Finale at Grand Central Station (October 23-25)

The PRTC tour comes to an end in the Big Apple, home to the largest community of Puerto Rican residents outside the Island itself. For three days, the hundreds of thousands of travelers who hustle through Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station will have a chance to savor a little piece of Puerto Rico, with a cafecito in hand, to ward off the first chilly days of autumn. They can also take a swing on a golf simulator that will transport visitors from Manhattan to the rolling green golf courses of Puerto Rico.

TRAVEL DEALS

Visitors to the Island of Enchantment can now take part in the Go to Puerto Rico Now! Promotion valid through November 30, 2008. Travelers who choose to book their getaway through Go to Puerto Rico Now! have the option of creating their own unique, custom itinerary for their time in Puerto Rico. By simply logging onto www.gotopuertorico.com vacation goers will have the option of viewing all of the amazing hotels, attractions, sites and dining that Puerto Rico is famous for. Several of the partners included online are offering special discounts on flights, hotel booking incentives, restaurant specials and discounts with local tour operators.

And if you need some more time to plan your dream Puerto Rico vacation, CheapCaribbean.com is offering $100 off any Puerto Rico package of 4 nights or more for travel between now and March 31, 2009.

Travel to Puerto Rico has never been easier with air service from U.S. cities to San Juan, Ponce, Aguadilla and Mayaguez. The Island also makes for a great start or end to a Caribbean cruise as large ships are docking in Puerto Rico's ports at San Juan, Mayaguez and Ponce.

No Passport Required for Travel to Puerto Rico

For travel to Puerto Rico, No Passport Is Required for U.S Citizens. As a further convenience, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company offers an online reservation system for a variety of accommodations. For additional information about Puerto Rico, call (800) 866-7827 or visit www.GoToPuertoRico.com.

About Puerto Rico Tourism Company

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), founded in 1970, is a public corporation responsible for stimulating, promoting and regulating the development of the tourism industry. It markets Puerto Rico as a tourism destination through advertising, public relations and promotional activities; promotes tourism among local residents; provides visitor orientation and technical assistance to investors; evaluates tourism facilities and establishes standards of quality; and regulates and oversees gaming operations. PRTC has offices and representatives in the U.S. mainland, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

    CONTACTS:
    David Perez
    Edelman
    212.704.4565
    david.perez@edelman.com

    Carmen Portela
    Puerto Rico Tourism Company
    787.721.2400 x 2425
    CPortela@prtourism.com