Several Puerto Rico projects and hospitality leaders were highlighted this week at the recent Caribbean Hospitality Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami. The Puerto Rico Builders Association, a sponsor of the CHRIS event, was honored to congratulate Hugh Andrews, CEO, IHE as he received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award was presented by Vanessa Ledesma, Acting CEO and Director at Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. Vanessa, herself a great friend and native of Puerto Rico, discussed with Hugh Andrews his vast accomplishments that include the development of such Icon hotel properties as the Conquistador Hotel, El Convento, Las Casitas, and Condado Plaza.STR in its annual report, listed Puerto Rico’s year over year recovery from 2019 as one of the Caribbean’s top winners. This includes highest ADR, Occupancy, and airlift.
The Aloft hotel in San Juan was runner up for the top CHRIS hospitality development of 2021. Adam Greenfader, Managing partner of AG&T and Florida Liaison Chair of the Puerto Rican Builders Association, spoke on the success of the P3 program in Puerto Rico. He mentioned in the Public-Private Collaboration panel that the island will be soliciting a P3 bid for the management of the remaining 9 airports.
Kenny Blatt, Principal/Managing Partner of CPG Real Estate, spoke extensively on Puerto Rico’s hospitality industry. He discussed the island’s capacity to greatly expand its hospitality and tourism sectors. Blatt’s was enthusiastic about the transformation at Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve and its evolution since 1958.
His key takeaways on Dorado Beach’s success include working with local partners as a critical best practice. Blatt praised the Stubbe family and PRISA group repeatedly as “the greatest developers any resort can ever have.”The Puerto Rico Builders Association will be celebrating its 70 year anniversary at its upcoming conference on October 27-28, 2021.
