ASTA is proud to announce that San Juan, Puerto Rico, will be the host of the sixth annual International Destination Expo (IDE), April 14-17, 2011. New next year will be ship inspections at the Port of San Juan. This is the first IDE to include ship inspections as part of its education offerings.
Agents who sign up to attend IDE Puerto Rico who are not already ASTA members will receive discounted ASTA membership. For only $125 instead of the regular $277, these agents will not only benefit from the education found at ASTA's International Destination Expos, but from the many benefits ASTA provides its members throughout the year.
“The International Destination Expo is the only industry event dedicated to destination training. Now, with the addition of ship inspections, it's even more important for agents to take advantage of this opportunity to experience firsthand the exciting tourism attractions Puerto Rico has to offer,” said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair. “Attendees will have the chance to discover and sample both the old and new world. 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 Puerto Rico Tourism Co. is honored that Puerto Rico was chosen to be the host for ASTA's International Destination Expo in 2011,” said Gabriel R. Emanuelli, director of sales & marketing/North America for the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. “While many people may have been fortunate enough to visit Puerto Rico in the past, make no mistake there are numerous new developments, starting with our newly inaugurated, state-of-the-art convention center in San Juan which will play home to the 2011 IDE.
“And, while our capital city provides visitors a true cosmopolitan experience with exciting nightlife, entertainment, history, culture and shopping, our islands offer even more. Everybody in Puerto Rico is excited to host this event, and we look forward to this unique opportunity to showcase our Islands of Puerto Rico in 2011,” continued Emanuelli.
“The Caribbean Tourism Organization is delighted to welcome ASTA and its members to the first ever International Destination Expo to be held in one of our member-countries,” said Caribbean Tourism Organization Secretary General & CEO Hugh Riley. “As the world’s most tourism dependent region, the Caribbean relies heavily upon the knowledge and expertise of travel professionals to help guide visitors to a superb vacation experience. Now we’ll have an opportunity to share that experience with the delegates to ASTA’s IDE in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in April 2011, while our members throughout the Caribbean get to interact with hundreds of the world’s leading travel professionals.”
The International Destination Expo will empower agents with the resources to sell Puerto Rico and the Caribbean as a lucrative destination. ASTA’s Puerto Rico and USVI chapter, together with the Puerto Rico Tourism Co., will be offering a “Travel Expert” destination certification along with pre- and post-tours in all regions of Puerto Rico. Additional pre- and post-tours will give delegates the opportunity to explore Caribbean islands beyond the shores of Puerto Rico.