Luis Fonsi Named Puerto Rico's Tourism Ambassador After 'Despacito' Video's Global Smash Success
8/15/2017 by Suzette Fernandez
Luis Fonsi at Fontainebleau Miami Beach on June 9, 2017 in Miami Beach, Fla.
The new initiative will encourage tourists to explore the island where the hit visual was filmed.
On Tuesday (Aug. 15), Puerto Rico’s governor Ricardo Rosselló and the tourism company announced a partnership with Luis Fonsi to use the global smash, “Despacito,” for the purpose of promoting the island worldwide.
"We will unveil the land of 'Despacito,'" said Jose Izquierdo, executive director of the tourism company, during a press conference. "The song has become an iconic piece where the main character is Puerto Rico, its culture, its music and its dance."
Posted by See Puerto Rico on Tuesday, August 15, 2017
The campaign is expected to boost the already existing interest of tourists who wish to see the island where the most-viewed video of all time was filmed. According to Izquierdo, Hotels.com reported that the search on the site about information and prices to go Puerto Rico increased by 50 percent, while on Expedia increased 17 percent and on Travelzoo 25 percent.
The promotional campaign will accompany Fonsi through his "Love and Dance Tour" that just recently finished on Europe and will continue in Argentina on Aug. 20. Then, the tour will hit the U.S. on Sept. 8 with its first show in Las Vegas.
Earlier in the year, Puerto Rico's governor, Ricardo Rosselló, declared the country bankrupt in order to restructure $70 billion debt. Despacito has become a hope for the country's economy.
This week the worldwide hit reached its 14th week on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and it ties as the second longest-running song on the chart.