TOURISM COMPANY AND AIRBNB PREPARE TO FACE NATURAL DISASTERS
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO August 5, 2018– With the aim of being well-prepared to face an emergency and having the necessary availability of accommodation to assist the community during disaster events, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR) announced today that representatives from International Rescue Group (IRG) and Airbnb will be in Puerto Rico on August 6 and 7 to provide guidance to all interested in signing up for Airbnb's Open Homes program.
Through this program, which now extends to the Caribbean region, those who are part of the platform will also be able to offer temporary accommodation free of charge to displaced individuals or first responders who need it during an emergency.
To provide more details, two informational sessions will be held on Monday, August 6 at 6:30pm, in Room AE 242, in the Business Administration area of the University of Mayagüez campus, and on Tuesday, August 7 at 6:30pm, at the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico, at #500 Engineer Antolín Nin Martínez Street, in San Juan.
“The extension of the Open Homes program to Puerto Rico demonstrates a strong commitment from Airbnb to join the plans for preparedness and response to emergency situations or natural disasters. Since a formal alliance was established between the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and Airbnb in August 2017, not only have we raised over $2.7 million in room occupancy taxes through the platform to date, but we have also continued to work closely to bring innovative concepts and programs to the Island that allow us to strengthen our tourism offerings, as mandated by Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares,” said Carla Campos Vidal, Executive Director of the CTPR.
After Hurricane María passed through Puerto Rico, it was identified that, in an emergency situation, one of the basic needs requiring immediate response is accommodation for homeless individuals and first responders. As a result, the Government of Puerto Rico has reviewed its emergency management and recovery plans to address this need as a priority. The Open Homes program from Airbnb complements existing plans, as it represents an additional tool to provide lodging alternatives when hotels do not have enough rooms available.
“Airbnb is committed to ensuring that our hosts are prepared for disasters, as well as ensuring that our Open Homes program is available for communities affected by these crises,” said Kellie Bentz, Senior Manager of Disaster Response and Relief at Airbnb.
“International Rescue Group is proud to partner with the world's largest accommodation platform to help shelter Caribbean residents and rescue personnel after hurricanes and other regional disasters. While Open Homes is just beginning in the Caribbean, we hope to reach hundreds of thousands in the region, and we invite all interested parties to get involved in this powerful initiative,” said IRG Housing Director Carol Greenhouse.
The orientation sessions for Airbnb's Open Homes program that will take place in Mayagüez and San Juan next week have limited capacity, and registration is required at the following links:
· Mayagüez, Puerto Rico – August 6 at 6:30pm
RSVP: www.abnb.co/prmeetup1
· San Juan, Puerto Rico – August 7 at 6:30pm
RSVP: www.abnb.co/prmeetup2
###About Open Homes: Since 2012, the Airbnb host community has provided free temporary accommodation to thousands of people displaced by natural disasters, conflicts, or other unexpected situations. Learn more at airbnb.com/openhomes.