culture, sustainable tourism and marketing strategies in puerto rico

Culture, Sustainable

Tourism And Marketing Strategies In Puerto Rico

Dr. Elizabeth RoblesUniversity of Puerto Rico

[email protected]

2

Tourism

Group of activities that people perform during their trips and visits to places other than their habitual surroundings, for a consecutive period of less than a year with business, leisure, vacation or other purposes (Tourism World Organization, 1994).

Dr. Elizabeth Robles

University of Puerto Rico

3

Tourism Benefits



Hotel employees, tour guides, employees controlling admissions, souvenirs sellers, waitresses and waiters.

Employees and workers from other sectors such as agriculture, transportation, laundry services, security services, aeronautics, camera production, architecture, engineering, construction and the arts.

4

Purpose The purpose of the study is to show the

marketing strategies of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) to obtain sustainable tourism.

Mission of PRTC To formulate and facilitate the implementation

of a public policy oriented towards improving the experience of tourists that visit the island.

To contribute to the economic development of Puerto Rico.



Sustainable Tourism Goals

Has a positive impact in the economy without bringing about negative consequences to the environment and culture of the country,

preserves the local ecosystem and culture,benefits the residents of the country,supports the integrity of the local site, respects local culture and tradition (and local

historical sites),conserves the natural resources,seeks “quality”, not quantity,satisfies and educates visitors.



5

6

Puerto Rico Tourism Company Goals

To promote: optimal use of environmental resources preservation of strict ecological guidelines respect for the socio-cultural authenticity of the communities viable economic activities that support socioeconomic benefits and common good.



7

Develops environmental tourism policies to evaluate new projects to maximize the environment.

Work with the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, (CAST) to promote tourism initiatives under the Green Glove 21 International Certification.

Created Guides for the Design of Eco Tourism Facilities.

Inaugurated the First Eco Tourism School in Culebra. Dr. Elizabeth Robles


Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC):

8

Created the Hotel Development Council, a group of experienced professionals who will serve as advocates toward the sustainable development of tourism in the island.

Developed a Posadas in the Plazas Program, with the aim of revitalizing urban centers.

Hosted the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 8th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (2007).

Continued PRTC…


University of PuertoRico

9

Traditions and oral expressions, including the language of the country as a vehicle to transmit the ICH.

Arts (folklore music, dancing, theater); Social uses, rituals and festivities; Knowledge and related uses with nature

and universe; and Traditional craftsman techniques.



Unesco defines Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) as:

10

is transmitted from generation to generation;is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history;

provides communities with a sense of identity and continuity;

promotes respect for cultural diversity and human creativity;

is compatible with existing international human rights instruments;

meets requirements of mutual respect among communities, groups and individuals, and of sustainable development.



Intangible Cultural Heritage

11

Tourism in Puerto Rico

The target market of Puerto Rico is the United States Traveler (80%).

The average age of foreign tourists is in the range of 35 to 49 years old.



12

TOURISM INDUSTRY DATA

Tourism industry produced 17,400 direct employments in hotels and other lodgings during the fiscal year, 2006.

5.022 million visitors came to the island (2006).

The total visitors’ expenditures were $3,369 millions (2005-2006).

Cruise passenger movement was 1.3 million, with expenditures of approximately $170 millions (2006).



13

TOURISM INDUSTRY DATA CONT.

Local market expenditures were approximately $3 million in 2002-2003.

Tourism income represents 6% of the gross national product of Puerto Rico (GDP of $74.79 Billion (2006).

In 2005 the total room inventory was 13,459 with an occupancy rate of 67.9%.



14

“The process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of goods, services, and ideas to create exchanges with target groups that satisfy customer and organizational objectives” (Futrell, 2007).

Marketing:



15

to maximize sales of existent products in existent markets;

to develop and to sell new products;

to develop new markets for existent or new products; and

to provide quality of services necessary to satisfy consumers.

Marketing Objectives:



16

Products – refers to the firm’s market offerings to satisfy a need or want. Example: the country itself, its culture,customs, traditions, historical sites, beaches, etc.

Price - is the amount of money customers have to pay to obtain the product, including time and effort to do it.

Place - place includes company activities that make the product available to target consumers. Tourism is a service offered to the tourist, an intangible product, an experience.

Promotion - means the activities that communicate the merits of the product and persuades target customers to buy it.

Marketing Strategies:



17

Advertising: is any impersonal communication and promotion of ideas, goods and services paid by an identified sponsor. PRTC uses advertising on the radio, TV and newspapers to promote hotels, lodgings and inns through the island.

Ex. promotional campaigns “Puerto Rico does it better” (1999 – 2000, local campaign), “tourism is you” (2004, local campaign), and “you are not dreaming, you are in Puerto Rico” (2004, international campaign).

PRTC Promotion Variable



18

Publicity - is the impersonal communication that is not paid by an identified sponsor news release about a new restaurant or a new product, interviews in “talk shows,” and news on TV.

Public Relations- are the marketing of the organization per se. The PRTC uses public relations when it bringing to Puerto Rico, free of charge, journalists of different countries to Puerto Rico give conferences to primary and middle school students about how to take care of the beaches and the environment. Participating in the “Blue Flag” program.



The PRTC Promotion Variable Cont.

19


Personal Selling– is the face to face communication with potential clients to persuade them to buy goods and services that satisfy their needs. PRTC has personal representatives in New York, Miami, Los Ángeles, in Europe (Spain, England and Germany), and in Latin América (Brazil, Argentina, México, Venezuela, Costa Rica).

Direct Marketing – is a direct communication with the targeted consumers to obtain an immediate response and develop lasting relationships with them telephone marketing, direct mail, and online marketing (List of Clients).




Sales promotions - are materials or activities used to create goods and services sales. Ex. Coupons, contests, cents-off deals, premiums. PRTC gives away articles or souvenirs with the logo and web page of PRTC (pens, pencils, notebooks, posters, water coolers, stickers, etc). Publishes a monthly magazine called Qué Pasa.

PRTC sponsors any activity or event that produces room occupancy. Ex. shows promoting cultural events and children’s educational programs, festivals, conventions, and marathons.


University of Puerto Rico 20

Sustainable Tourism requires long term planning to maximize and conserve natural, cultural and historical resources for future generation’s enjoyment.

Is ecological and culturally sensitive.

It requires a lot of effort and commitment from the government, the hotel industry and the general

public as well.

“Tourism is wealth for every country.” “Tourism is you.”

Conclusions:


University of Puerto Rico21

culture, sustainable tourism and marketing strategies in puerto rico

Documents

tourism initiatives

tourism benefitsdr

puerto ricodr

environmental tourism

eco tourism school

respects local culture

local site

local ecosystem