Disturbed by Zika, Tourism in Puerto Rico Rises

Despite the spread of Zika virus in the Caribbean, tourism continues to run

Miramar in foreground with Condado near the ocean, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Image credit Wikipedia

Zika virus spread seems to have reached the Caribbean Islands, a type of virus that is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito that began to spread in mid-2015, while this region is known as one of the favorites of tourists, especially from the United States.

Specifically is Puerto Rico that one contribution to their country is tourism, but the spread of this virus, citing the news agency sites AFP, December 9, the Tourism Authority of Puerto Rico (PRTC) stated that conditions remain conducive to tourism in the region.

As presented by Ingrid Rivera, Executive Director of PRTC, "The tourism industry in Puerto Rico persist in the midst of this difficult year."

This country is active in the tourism campaign, and always provide positive information and appeal to tourists to not be afraid to visit, although the issue is being widely spread of the virus Zika.

Indeed, according to another quote from the sites CNN Indonesia, today, one of the street facing the Zika virus spreading is to use anti-mosquito liquid during the tour.

Puerto Rico to optimize the role of tourism for their country, a significant contribution of US $ 4 billion for the economy of Puerto Rico until this September. Not difficult to see the reality on the ground, in that period, hotel occupancy rates increased by 1.4 percent from a year ago.


Coast scene in Patillas - Image credit Oquendo

Various countries are now seriously looking at the role of tourism in contributing to the economy of a country, especially when looking at the tourism industry has to save Puerto Rico from the economic recession that hit in five years ago.

On the other hand, Puerto Rico seemed to work hard to face the spread of cases of Zika, to December, more than 32.848 cases of Zika virus there, citing the US Epidemic Control Centre (CDC).

As reported then, the land area in Latin America and the Caribbean continue to cope with outbreaks of transmission, and trying not impact directly to regional tourism.

Travelers can be proactive when visiting Puerto Rico, for example, to understand each user traveled and guide while visiting tourist areas of interest.

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Source: E Priherdityo – CNN Indonesia, AFP
Image: Wikipedia