Latest news with #DiscoverPuertoRico
Forbes
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Discover Puerto Rico Announces Wellness-Focused Partnership With Calm
Discover Puerto Rico is offering free one-year Calm Premium subscriptions to the first 1,700 ... More signups, while later participants receive 50% off. Puerto Rico is packed full of vibrant tourist destinations ranging from Condado to Old San Juan, and as an added bonus, the island is no slouch when it comes to relaxation either. All across the region, visitors can explore lush rainforests, winding rivers and sandy beaches, with each individual habitat showcasing the rich variety of plants and animals that have called the Caribbean home for centuries—and now, prospective visitors can immerse themselves in the idyllic beauty of Puerto Rico from the comfort of their home. In an effort to showcase the top wellness experiences across the island, Discover Puerto Rico has partnered with mental health company Calm to release a new collection of immersive audio experiences that highlight some of the most relaxing sites across Puerto Rico and its neighboring islands. Officially launched on May 22nd, this partnership offers an opportunity to explore the verdant landscapes of Puerto Rico through a sonic lens, with six unique concepts available for listeners. While options span from guided meditations to a beach-themed Breathe Bubble, the Adventures in Puerto Rico Calm Sleep Story serves as a particularly introspective foray into the richness of the island, with a narration by world-renowned songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda available in both English and Spanish. Throughout the episode, Miranda invites listeners to explore the splendor of the island through a combination of music and spoken word, all while weaving in personal anecdotes from his many years spent exploring Puerto Rico throughout his life. El Yunque is home to several hundred different plant species, several of which are endemic. Beloved tourist destinations like Flamenco Beach and La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay play a prominent role in Adventures in Puerto Rico, and beyond these sites, the new partnership also casts a spotlight on one of the island's crown jewels of tranquility—the lush El Yunque National Forest. Measuring in at more than 100 square kilometers, this storied preserve is brimming with all sorts of native flora and fauna, with both the Walking El Yunque meditation and Sounds of El Yunque soundscape inviting Calm members to enjoy the sounds of rainfall and rushing water to the tune of the forest's many coquís, a type of tiny frog that's been renowned for millennia across Puerto Rico thanks to its distinct call. And for those wishing to explore a more underrated side of the island, the Floating the Tanamá River soundscape showcases the gentle beauty of one of Puerto Rico's lesser-known water features, inviting listeners to its interior mountains to enjoy the idyllic atmosphere. While Calm's new Puerto Rico collection is perfect for backyard meditation or a mindfulness session, it can also offer insight into planning a relaxation-focused trip of your own—and when it comes to building the perfect itinerary, there's a wealth of other can't-miss sites to be found across the island. The interior mountains of Puerto Rico play host to charming towns like Aibonito and Orocovis, while coffee fans should be sure to pay a visit to Yauco, a southwestern municipality that's home to cozy cafés and colorful murals. Meanwhile, those who prefer to stick close to the San Juan metro area can make their way south to explore La Marquesa—a forest park that's home to its own dedicated aviary—or head west to spend some time lounging along the Piscinas Naturales de Manatí, a collection of rock pools along the island's northern shore. The Puerto Rican island of Culebra is renowned for its picturesque beaches. There's no shortage of idyllic islands to explore all across the Caribbean, but when it comes to experiencing true tranquility, it's tough to beat Puerto Rico. While bustling cities abound across the region, visitors are always just a short drive away from an oasis of calm, with options spanning from pristine beaches to craggy caves to tropical rainforests that are rife with native wildlife. As people continue to seek an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, Discover Puerto Rico and Calm offer a much-needed respite from all of the endless noise, providing listeners with an opportunity to leave the world behind and dive headfirst into the charm of La Isla del Encanto each day.
CNET
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Calm Just Partnered with Discover Puerto Rico, and It's Bringing The Island's Zen Soundscape Right to Your Phone
As someone born and raised in Puerto Rico, I've always believed the island has a peculiar rhythm that can't be replicated. That mix of crashing waves, rustling breeze in the palm trees and the coquí's distinctive mating call isn't just noise; for me, it's memory and medicine to my soul. Now, Calm, a mental health app, is bringing exactly that to your phone, and you can play it on repeat. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Calm partnered with Discover Puerto Rico, the island's Destination Marketing Organization, to release its first-ever destination-based audio collection. The library is a sensory experience designed to ground you in the spirit of the island whenever you need a pick-me-up or simply want a moment of calm during stressful moments. The Calm x Puerto Rico collaboration includes meditations, breathwork, soundscapes and a new sleep story, Adventures in Puerto Rico, narrated in English and Spanish by Lin-Manuel Miranda, a songwriter and actor born to Puerto Rican parents. His voice will take you across the island, from the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan to the bioluminescent bay in La Parguera. Discover Puerto Rico "Recording this Sleep Story allowed me to share the magic of the Island in a new way: through its sounds, its stories, and the quiet beauty that fills every corner. Puerto Rico invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover a sense of wonder. I hope listeners feel that peace, and that pull to explore it for themselves," said Miranda in a press release. The content in this suite of audio experiences was co-created with Puerto Rican artists and sound engineers, ensuring that the rainforest doesn't just sound like any other rainforest, but has the distinctive sounds of El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest within the national forest system. In addition to the Sleep Story, Calm and Discover Puerto Rico are unveiling four audio experiences and a Breathe Bubble (Calm's signature animated bubble) that include: Two meditations: one is a visualization through El Yunque, and the other is a body scan on the beach. Two soundscapes: Sounds of El Yunque, an immersive audio experience featuring native wildlife, gentle rainfall and the natural ambiance of the rainforest's lush terrain. And the other is Floating through the Tanamá River, a peaceful, meditative drift down one of Puerto Rico's most serene rivers. Breathe Bubble: A guided breathwork exercise with a backdrop sound of Vieques' beaches. Discover Puerto Rico Calm Premium members can access the full suite of content starting today. If you're not a Calm Premium member yet, but are curious about this collaboration, Calm is offering a limited number of free one-year memberships or a 50% Calm Premium discount at
Malaysian Reserve
09-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
UBER LAUNCHES NEW TRAVEL EXPERIENCE TO ENHANCE TOURISM IN PUERTO RICO
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Tourism in Latin America is booming and Uber is helping travelers explore its top destinations with greater ease. In places like Cancún, Punta Cana, Cartagena, Jamaica, and Costa Rica, Uber makes it simple to move between airports, beaches, and must-see neighborhoods while discovering authentic local experiences. Puerto Rico is now at the center of this effort with the launch of the latest phase of Uber Te Espera, a travel-focused program developed in partnership with Discover Puerto Rico. The initiative arrives at a time when the island is gaining international attention, with high-profile cultural events like Bad Bunny's 2025 residency drawing global visitors. As part of the initiative, all active Uber drivers in Puerto Rico will receive free access to a virtual training that includes modules on Puerto Rican history, culture, food, and local events. This equips drivers with valuable information to share with visitors throughout their journey. 'Uber drivers are often the first point of contact when someone visits the island. By giving them the tools to become travel ambassadors, we enhance the visitor experience while supporting the growth of local tourism in partnership with Discover Puerto Rico,' said Carolina Coto, Communications Manager for Uber in Central America and the Caribbean. Uber Te Espera builds on the Explorer's Guide, which helps users navigate top attractions and food spots through in-app tools. The partnership also places local gastronomy at the forefront. Uber Eats launched a curated section highlighting Puerto Rican restaurants that serve traditional dishes like mofongo, asopao, and alcapurrias—some of the most ordered items by tourists on the island. People from around 120 nationalities have used the Uber app to explore Puerto Rico. Among the most visited locations by international users are Old San Juan, the Cruise Terminal, T-Mobile District, and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. This new chapter strengthens Uber's role in helping travelers explore Latin America with greater connection, cultural relevance, and local flavor.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who gets to brand Puerto Rico: Its tourism agency or its biggest star?
The Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny is one of the biggest stars of the music world. After becoming Spotify's most-streamed artist for three years in a row – the first and only artist ever to do so – he sold out all 49 dates of his 2024 U.S. tour, netting US$211 million. Earlier this year, after Bad Bunny co-hosted 'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon' and announced a 21-show residency in Puerto Rico, the recently reelected mayor of San Juan, Miguel Romero, quipped that the artist had done a better job of promoting Puerto Rico than the island's official destination marketing organization. That agency, Discover Puerto Rico, was founded in 2017 to market the island to both tourists and investors. Established during the administration of Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, it was part of a broader effort to professionalize Puerto Rico's place branding and underscored the importance of tourism to the island's economy. As a scholar of Puerto Rican politics and place branding – and a native Puerto Rican – I think this case study raises interesting public policy questions: Who gets to brand Puerto Rico? Why does it matter if a place has a brand anyway? And if political leaders are dissatisfied with an agency whose sole purpose is to market the island, what comes next? Historically, place-branding campaigns have been led by governments seeking to attract tourism and investment. One of the most iconic examples was the 'I Love New York' campaign, launched in 1977 as a collaboration between New York City and private partners. Similar public-private models became more common in the decades that followed. Puerto Rico has seen various branding efforts over the years. Early boosterism efforts emerged during the first half of the 20th century, and in 1970, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company was created to promote the island as a tourist destination. By the 1990s, many Puerto Rican municipalities had begun adopting different place branding strategies. During Puerto Rico's deepening fiscal crisis in the 2010s, branding efforts remained a bipartisan priority. But the two dominant political parties – the pro-territory Partido Popular Democrático, and the pro-statehood Partido Nuevo Progresista – each rebranded the island every time a new administration took office, raising concerns about consistency. The last major government-led initiative before Discover Puerto Rico was the 'Isla Estrella' campaign, which included a sponsorship deal with Spain's Sevilla FC soccer team. In 2017, Discover Puerto Rico took control over the island's place-branding efforts. However, its performance has been polarizing, with critics pointing to significant blunders. For example, an early ad in its 'Live Boricua' campaign sparked backlash for featuring a family that didn't look like most Puerto Ricans. Beyond its marketing blunders, Discover Puerto Rico has struggled to navigate Puerto Rico's politically charged place-branding landscape. In fact, it has been contested from the start, and remains so, as recently elected Gov. Jennifer González evaluates its future. It remains unclear to what extent efficiency and economic development will serve as the main criteria for evaluating its success, and to what extent party politics will influence the decision-making process. Just a day before Mayor Romero made his remark about Bad Bunny, Discover Puerto Rico's CEO, Brad Dean, resigned, taking a similar role in St. Louis. Dean has argued that during his tenure, Discover Puerto Rico has driven significant increases in tourism and tourism spending. While these self-reported figures suggest success, they don't address a critical issue – the long-standing political controversy surrounding Puerto Rico's branding. At the same time the future of Discover Puerto Rico remains uncertain, the island has gained unparalleled international attention thanks to popular music. Reggaetón, an urban genre that originated in Puerto Rico in the 1990s, has amassed a massive global fan base, extending beyond Puerto Rico and Latin America to the rest of the world. In 2017, Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi's video for the worldwide hit 'Despacito' turned La Perla, a working-class barrio in Old San Juan, into a magnet for tourists from all over the world. More recently, in January 2025, Bad Bunny released his latest album, 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos,' which taps into traditional Puerto Rican music genres such as bomba, plena and música jíbara that aren't usually associated with reggaetón. It charted at No. 1. Bad Bunny also announced a Puerto Rico-exclusive concert series, with some dates reserved for locals and others open to fans worldwide. The success of Puerto Rican reggaetón artists raises an important question: Why have these organic cultural movements been so effective – perhaps even more so than the official expert-driven place-marketing agency – in promoting Puerto Rico as a brand? I think the answer probably lies in authenticity. Unlike government-led initiatives, reggaetón's global appeal stems from its cultural resonance and emotional connection with audiences worldwide, regardless of politics. At this critical juncture for the island's tourism agency, perhaps Discover Puerto Rico should rebrand itself as 'Discover the Birthplace of Reggaetón.' Carlos A. Suárez Carrasquillo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Steller Launches Connected Content Solution for DMOs
KIRKLAND, Wash., March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Steller, a video-based, travel planning platform that allows travelers to discover, connect and book based on experiences shared by creators, has launched Steller Connect, a tool enabling Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) to connect influencer content directly to planning tools and marketing automation that moves travelers through the booking journey. Steller Connect allows destinations to integrate Trips by Steller™ itineraries and video into their website. The detailed itineraries are infused with influencer or traveler UGC video of each stop. Each stop includes vital travel information and is geotagged to an interactive map available on both web and mobile app. The viewer can switch between 3 views, list, map, and video allowing them to fully explore the destination. The most valuable Steller Connect feature for DMOs is the connection to trip planning tools and marketing automation that truly makes a difference in getting people to their destination. The multi-channel journey retargets users through email and push notification to help them continue planning their own trip to the destination and booking it when it's time. Transforming DMOs' Digital Strategy Historically, DMOs have struggled to link influencer marketing efforts to measurable results. With Steller Connect, destinations can now: Extend the lifespan of influencer content, keeping high performing content in front of prospective travelers for a year. Connect short form video content and influencer recommendations to trip planning tools and retargeting automation. Prove marketing ROI by tracking itinerary engagement, planned trips, and completed bookings. 'Measuring the true impact of travel influencer marketing has always been a challenge. Impressions and likes don't translate directly into booked hotel nights, and with the rising cost of influencer content, destinations are paying more for less visibility. Steller Connect keeps high-performing content in front of travelers for a full year and connects it to a booking journey. With built-in planning tools and detailed reporting, DMOs can finally see the real ROI of their influencer marketing efforts.' – Pete Bryant, CEO of Steller. Early Adoption and Proven Success Six destinations, including three international and three domestic, participated in the Steller Connect beta and saw impressive results. Discover Puerto Rico implemented the tool in late October, embedding high performing influencer content and Trips by Steller™ itineraries into eight pages of their website. Seventy trips were planned through Steller Connect, with travel occurring within the first 90 days after the campaign concluded. 'We are extremely pleased with the results delivered by both campaigns we executed in partnership with Steller. A key component of these campaigns was Steller Connect, which Discover Puerto Rico integrated across eight landing pages on our website, including the homepage. We first added Video, followed a month later by Trips by Steller itineraries. This feature allows travelers to explore influencer-generated content, create personalized itineraries, and seamlessly book stays and experiences—driving economic impact for our destination. Pages featuring Steller Connect saw increases in Average Session Duration, indicating better engagement after its addition. With interactive maps, descriptions, and traveler reviews, it truly makes influencer marketing actionable and bookable' said Astrid Emmanuelli, Senior Social Media Manager of Discover Puerto Rico. A Fully Connected Travel Planning Experience The human experience is the most important part of the travel planning journey. People want to see themselves reflected in your content to feel comfortable enough to book a trip. With Steller Connect, DMOs can connect powerful stories from relatable influencers to an actionable, engaging, and measurable trip-planning experience. Visit to learn more.
