The Future of Caribbean Tourism: A Conversation That Helped Shape the Next Decade
As part of the Puerto Rico Builders Association’s Annual Convention, AG&T Chairman Adam Greenfader moderated a distinguished panel of leaders from government, global hospitality, development, alternative accommodations, and investment to discuss the future of tourism in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
The conversation brought together Carla Campos (Puerto Rico Tourism Company), Pablo Maturana (Hilton), Rachel DeLevis (Airbnb), Federico Stubbe (PRISA Group), Federico Sánchez (Grupo Interlink), and Eric Berman (Lifeafar) to explore how Puerto Rico could strengthen its position as one of the Caribbean’s leading tourism and investment destinations. Topics included evolving traveler preferences, hotel development, branded hospitality, airlift, alternative accommodations, public-private collaboration, and the critical role tourism plays in driving long-term economic growth.
Looking Beyond Traditional Tourism
One of the central themes of the discussion was the recognition that tourism was becoming far more than a leisure industry.
Hospitality had evolved into one of Puerto Rico’s most important economic development strategies—supporting construction, infrastructure, transportation, retail, food and beverage, entertainment, healthcare, and entrepreneurship throughout the island.
The conversation emphasized that future competitiveness would depend upon creating differentiated experiences rather than simply increasing hotel inventory.
New Trends Reshaping Hospitality
The panel examined several emerging trends that have since transformed the industry.
Global hotel brands were expanding their presence throughout the Caribbean.
Alternative accommodation platforms such as Airbnb were changing how visitors experienced destinations.
Developers were increasingly focusing on mixed-use communities, branded residences, wellness, experiential travel, and lifestyle-driven hospitality.
The discussion also highlighted the growing importance of airlift, destination marketing, public-private collaboration, and investment in supporting infrastructure—all factors that continue to shape Puerto Rico’s tourism economy today.
Looking Back
In many respects, the themes discussed during this panel proved remarkably prescient.
Since then, Puerto Rico has experienced record tourism performance, expanded international air service, significant new hotel investment, the growth of luxury hospitality, and increased private-sector participation across the tourism ecosystem.
Hospitality has become one of the island’s principal economic drivers, supporting thousands of jobs while attracting billions of dollars in private investment.
AG&T’s Perspective
For more than three decades, AG&T has been committed to advancing conversations that shape the future of Caribbean hospitality.
Whether through the Puerto Rico Builders Association, the Urban Land Institute, CHICOS, Discover Puerto Rico, Bisnow, or numerous investment forums throughout the Caribbean, our objective has remained consistent: bringing together government leaders, developers, investors, hotel brands, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs to explore the ideas that will define the region’s next generation of growth.
Tourism is no longer simply about attracting visitors.
It is about creating resilient destinations, vibrant communities, sustainable economic development, and long-term investment opportunities.
Puerto Rico has demonstrated that when the public and private sectors work together, hospitality can become far more than an industry—it can become a catalyst for economic transformation.
As Puerto Rico continues to strengthen its position within the global tourism marketplace, the conversations that began years ago remain just as relevant today. The difference is that many of the ideas discussed have now become reality.