The Points Guy, Forbes' No. 1 Travel Influencer of 2017, Joins Puerto Rico's Comeback with a Team Trip to the Island

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) announced today that Brian Kelly, also known as The Points Guy and Forbes' No. 1 travel influencer of 2017, will be traveling to Puerto Rico from Jan. 5-7 with his staff, family and friends to assist with rebuilding efforts and experience the Island's recovery firsthand. JetBlue, as part of their 100x35JetBlue initiative, will be providing flights for the entire Points Guy team and joining in on the ground. The group will provide hands-on assistance to communities, as well as participate in the festivities surrounding the iconic Three Kings Day festival on Jan. 6, which will be shining brighter than ever this holiday season with rich culture and delicious cuisine.

As founder of The Points Guy, the digital platform renowned worldwide for all things points, miles and travel with 5 million unique visitors a month, Brian knows the path to recovery that destinations go through after overcoming natural disasters. With this group trip to Puerto Rico three months post-Hurricane Maria, Brian is sending a strong message to travelers everywhere that traveling to destinations impacted by natural disasters, like Puerto Rico, is the best way to take in the most meaningful travel experiences in the New Year. Tourism is a key driver of Puerto Rico's recovery efforts, and with the Island officially open to visitors, travelers can best support these efforts by visiting, staying at hotels and other accommodations, eating at restaurants and buying from local businesses.

"We're thrilled with the hands-on support from The Points Guy and appreciate his help reminding travelers that now is a perfect time to visit. Reactivating the local economy through tourism is essential," said Jose Izquierdo, executive director of the PRTC." Continued commitment from Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares' administration and the public and private sectors has contributed to great progress, with over 100 hotels already welcoming guests, over 4,000  restaurants serving our delicious cuisine and 107 operating tourist attractions. The Island is officially open for business, and we're excited to welcome travelers back just in time for our holiday season," Izquierdo added.

"We want to be a part of Puerto Rico's comeback and look forward to helping the community get back on their feet. Travel is all about purpose, which is one of the very reasons why I chose to travel for a living – it's centered on the meaningful experiences we take in, such as this special volunteer trip we are organizing with my entire team," said Brian Kelly, The Points Guy. "Puerto Rico has so much to offer travelers, from beaches to culture, to art and cuisine, so deciding to do this was a no-brainer."

The trip will include a visit to San Juan, one of Lonely Planet's Top 10 Cities to Travel in 2018. There, in partnership with Love in Motion, Local Guest's non-profit focused on providing the necessary tools and empowerment through hope and education for the development of community-based tourism in the Caribbean region, and in collaboration with the Asociación Impacto Comunitario La Perla Inc., Casa Sol and Wanderlust Tours, the team will join local efforts already underway to help revitalize the iconic La Perla neighborhood. La Perla has become a tourist attraction for visitors looking to get a glimpse of this colorful community along the shore of Old San Juan where the record-breaking summer hit song "Despacito" was filmed. Lastly, the trip coincides with Puerto Rico's celebration of Three Kings Day on Jan. 6, one of the most important holidays on the Island, especially for children. Three Kings Day will be particularly special for Puerto Ricans this year, and families will enjoy parades and festivals throughout the Island.

JetBlue recently announced the 100x35JetBlue initiative, the airline's immediate and long-term commitment to Puerto Rico hurricane relief, including 35 initiatives over 100 days – and beyond – to support the needs of crewmembers, customers and communities in Puerto Rico. For more information, visit http://blog.jetblue.com/100x35jetblue/.

For more information on meaningful travel to Puerto Rico, including details on open attractions, hotels, the city's most popular restaurants and more, visit SeePuertoRico.com.  For information on other updates (related to hospitals, ATMs, supermarkets, etc.) across the Island, visit http://status.pr/.

Visitors with questions about travel can call the PRTC hotline at 787-522-5960, or talk to us via Live Chat online.

About the 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 visitors and local residents; provides visitor orientation and technical assistance to investors; evaluates tourism facilities and establishes standards of quality; and regulates and oversees gaming operations.

About The Points Guy
The Points Guy (TPG) is a trusted travel and lifestyle media platform that focuses on maximizing travel experiences while minimizing spending. Through an informative, clever point of view, TPG has become the leading online resource for all things points, miles and resourceful travel experiences. The site's editorial content consists of first-hand flight, hotel and airplane reviews, curated travel guides, immersive video components, as well as global event activations. Since its launch in 2010, Founder and CEO Brian Kelly has expanded the team to include a distinguished editorial staff and extensive network of freelancer contacts from around the globe. Today, TPG reaches 5 million unique monthly visitors and more than 2.2 million followers across social media platforms.

SOURCE Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Related Links

http://SeePuertoRico.com