Puerto Rico Tourism Company Discriminates Against Island Residents
BIG THRILL SMALL BILL is the latest offer from The Puerto Rico Tourism Company. It is valid on bookings made between May 1 and June 30, 3009 for stays between May 1 and December 20, 2009.
First of all let me say that if you are a USA resident, then the ‘Big Thrill Small Bill’ vacation deal being offered by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company is pretty awesome (4th night FREE, $200 instant discount, $100 credit card for use in Puerto Rico and a book of discount tickets).
UNFORTUNATELY this offer is NOT available for any one currently living in Puerto Rico.
OK, no big deal you may think as it is meant to be a tourism offer after all; a way to attract people to the island. Well if that is the case then:
1. Why is it only available to USA residents. Surely the island needs to attract visitors from other countries (especially Europe).
2. Does the Puerto Rico Tourism Company think that local residents do not take vacations.
In the current economic situation that the island is facing, many Puerto Rican families and residents are probably contemplating vacationing on the island more now, than ever before. But give me one good reason why a local family should plan to stay at a local hotel, when they will be charged more than $400 more, than a family traveling from the USA.
This is how it roughly breaks down (obviously prices will vary depending on the hotel)
So lets say the room rate $150 per night
Total for 4 nights is $600
USA Residents:
Free 4th night ($150)
$200.00 credit given at booking time
$100 Gift card (can be used for anything here in Puerto Rico), given at check-in.
That’s $450 in savings.
Taking into account all of these discounts and offers the USA family will actually be paying $150 for a 4 night stay at a participating hotel in Puerto Rico (and there are plenty of hotels to choose from; Major Chain Hotels as well as the Small Inns & Hotels of Puerto Rico).
Puerto Rico Resident
No Credits or discounts
Cost is $600
This works out to be $450 more for the Puerto Rican family / resident.
Why should I have to pay $450 more for the same room, just because I already live on the island
Is that FAIR?
Please let me know what you think in the comments below.
Note: I did contact the PRTC about this offer, but as of the time of writing I had not received a reply
For those USA residents out there, the Big Thrill Small Bill offer can be purchased through the following sites Cheap Caribbean, Classic Vacations, Expedia, Libgo, Orbitz, Pleasant Holidays, Travel Impressions & Travelocity. If you prefer to stay in one of Puerto Rico’s smaller hotels, then you will need to book the offer directly with them. For more information on the Big Thrill Small Bill offer, as well as a list of the Small Inns & Hotels that are participating see here.
Update May 27, 2009
I received this reply from the PRTC
‘Thank you for taking the time to express your concern in regards to the Big Thrill, Small Bill offer.
It is customary of all travel destinations to offer exclusive vacation packages customized to each market’s needs and tastes so as to stimulate the demand for travel to the destination. This is a standard practice within the hospitality industry and not an exclusive practice of either PRTC or the Puerto Rico hospitality industry.
Many local hotels promote and advertise a variety of offers and packages for local residents which aim to promote tourism within the island. These offers are marketed by each property individually and valid only for Puerto Rico residents. Many of these packages are published in local Sunday’s newspapers within the travel section and many include meal plan or stay-an- x amount-of-nights-get-one-free-offers. There are also various Paradores offers which are geared towards the local market exclusively.
PRTC also promotes Puerto Rico in Europe and Latin America and the travel offers and specials which the Company utilizes as marketing tools are used exclusively for these international markets. The specifications of the promotional packages vary between these two markets and many times from country to country as to appeal to each particular segment of the population.
Once again I thank you for your time and for allowing PRTC to answer your concerns’
Sincerely,
Marta S. Albanese Bras
Public Relations
Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Photo Resource: xctmx
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This particular Summer Package is directed at the non-resident market and is designed specifically to bring travelers to Puerto Rico.
Most if not all hotels offer packages for the local market, which are in many cases even more attractive for residents than this promotion, with add-ons specifically geared to them (you’ll notice the fine print at the bottom of the adverts that those rates are offered only for PR residents and, in some cases, residents of the Virgin Islands – and not available to other travelers).
I trust this is helpful. Cheers,
I’m glad you expressed your feelings about what appeared to be very unfair to locals. It prompted information that should be known about. Maybe having an article in the Sunday paper (if that hasn’t been done) about vacationing at home would be a good idea. Living on Culebra, I know it truly does feel like a holiday when I go to the big island or Vieques for a long weekend, and I hear others from *over there* feel the same way coming here.
Hi Lorraine
Thanks for the comments.
I realize that this offer is to attract non-residents to the island, but it currently will only attract USA residents and not from other countries (as I mentioned in the post). I am all for this type of activity as a way to attract folks here. But I just feel that the amount of FREE credit that is being offered in this particular offer is a little high – it’s quite possible with this deal, to have a vacation here and hardly spend any of your own money.
May be I need to check hotel sites more often, as I was not aware of these deals for local residents. I just hope that they work out to be such a great deal, as this one is for USA visitors.
Hi MJ
Thanks for the comment. I too was not aware of deals for local residents (at least not as good as this one). I will be checking hotel sites etc. from now on to see if I can grab a bargain here. But I have the feeling they will not be as generous
)
I understand your comments about this offer. However, there are other offers that are only available to residents of Puerto Rico that are not available to residents of the USA. I enjoy cruising from San Juan and would LOVE to be able to get the rates that are available to island residents. I guess it all works out in the long run. By the way, because of the rates, I’m traveling to Puerto Rico in June and extending my stay in September. You have a beautiful place to live and I will use any excuse I can to come visit. Have you ever tried to get Mofongo in Washington, D.C.?
Thanks Tim.
I’ve heard rumors about the cruise deals, but have not seen any for real – need to look harder. hope you have a great visit
Hi
I totally think it is completely unfair. Can you imagine my position, im getting married in the fall and wanted my honeymoon abroad. due to other choices we had to make, we also had to eliminate that honeymoon. so, we decided to stay on the island on a beautiful hotel where we can normally never ever afford to stay but it is a lot less expensive (and less frightening b/c of airplanes falling from the sky or swine flu on cruises now)to stay here. But now, I can’t take advantage of a great offer b/c I live here? So, if i did stay at that hotel, i will hate to think that the people in the other room paid 217 the night with xtra credits and i had to pay 305 the night with no benefits! Only open to USA residents? Then what the heck am I? I have a USA passport, birth certificate, born on USA soil (Puerto Rico). So now im not a USA resident? When did that happen?
p.s. money is money. and they are a business. when things are bad you want money, doesn’t matter if its a local or not.
Thanks for the comment. I totally agree. Since I wrote this article I have heard a few hotels in San Juan are offering special prices to PR Residents. San Juan Marriott Resort & Casino is one.
You might want to consider calling a few (use the local numbers) and say to them that you have seen the promotion by the PR Tourist Company and what special offers they have for PR residents.
I hope you find something and good luck with the wedding plans
Thanks for the comment.this offer is to attract non-residents to the island, but it currently will only attract USA residents and not from other countries I am all for this type of activity as a way to attract folks here. But I just feel that the amount of FREE credit that is being offered in this particular offer is a little high – it’s quite possible with this deal, to have a vacation here and hardly spend any of your own money.