On June 24, Senate Bill 1160, which proposed eliminating $4.5 million a year in public funding to conventions and groups coordinator Meet Puerto Rico, was drawn from the Senate session.
The proposed measure sought to amend subsections Law 272-2003, known as the Room Tax Law, to transfer funding from Meet Puerto Rico, formerly known as the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, to the Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority starting in Fiscal 2015, which would have begun July 1.
In an effort to stop the bill from passing, Meet Puerto Rico drummed up support from its members, including the backing of other tourism members affiliated with the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association.
Expressing gratitude in a letter sent to its membership, Milton Segarra, president, Meet Puerto Rico, turned to evidence of the organization’s success to help kill the bill.
“We shared positive results and known facts about Meet Puerto Rico and that was our best defense,” said Segarra. “Moreover, the overpowering demonstration of all letters and calls to the Senators were proof that this industry is united and strengthened. Your support was crucial to stop Bill 1160.”
Not only did Meet Puerto Rico’s membership speak out against Senate Bill 1160, but so did the organization.
“We are confident that through open and honest dialogue with the government, we will achieve the rapport to continue positioning Puerto Rico as a top-notch destination for groups and conventions business,” Segarra added.
Meet Puerto Rico is responsible for generating more than $110 million a year for the local economy in direct spending by groups and conventions, the group disclosed.
See related article:
Puerto Rico breaks down its walls
