Puerto Rico to Host 2011 International Destination Expo in San Juan

Alexandria, “The International Destination Expo is the only industry event dedicated to destination training,” said William Maloney, ASTA CEO. “Attendees will have the chance to experience firsthand the exciting tourism attractions Puerto Rico has to offer, discovering a sample of the old and new continent. National, as well as regional suppliers and travel agents, will certainly return home with a better understanding of Puerto Rico and its tourism offerings, which will no doubt entice everyone to make arrangements to visit this premiere destination.”

“The people of the Caribbean feel delighted and overjoyed with the election of Puerto Rico as the host of the International Destination Expo in 2011, one of the most recognized and sought after events in of the tourism industry around the world,” said Daphne Barbeito, ASTA chapter president for Puerto Rico and the USVI. “This is a great opportunity for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean to position themselves as one of the primary destination in the Americas. It also gives us a chance to come together as an industry and as people to show our visitors the best our region and has to offer.”

The International Destination Expo will empower agents with the resources in selling Puerto Rico and the Caribbean as a lucrative destination.  ASTA’s Puerto Rico and USVI chapter, together with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, will be offering a “Travel Expert” destination certification pre- and post-tours in all regions of the Puerto Rico.

 

In preparation for IDE 2011, all travel agents to join ASTA between Nov. 15, 2009 and Jan. 15, 2010, will be automatically entered to win one of three Marriott hotel stays. Also, suppliers who join ASTA will receive a discount on their booth at IDE 2011 and a free Caribbean specialist travel agent list. For more information about the IDE visit www.asta.org/expo.

 

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.