Smash-hit song Despacito boosts interest in Puerto Rico from tourists by nearly 50% since topping the charts

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By JAMES DRAPER

It is, without question, the definitive song of the summer.

But, while Luis Fonsi's smash-hit single Despacito has certainly dominated the charts, it's also had an effect on international tourism.

According to reports by local officials, the track - which shares the record for the longest-running US No1 - has upped interest in Puerto Rico from tourists since its release by almost 50 per cent.

Renewed interest: Interest in Puerto Rico has sky-rocketed since the song's chart reign
Impressively, the mere lyric 'this is how we do it down in Puerto Rico' seems to have been enough to inspire listeners to explore the famed Caribbean island.

Online searches for the unincorporated U.S. territory have sky-rocketed in line with the song's success since it was unleashed in January.

And, specifically, the interest seems targeted around the La Perla district in Old San Juan and Club La Factoría, which feature extensively in the video.

- Currently No1 in America, officials say it has boosted web searches by half
- The hit song, by Luis Fonsi, also features fellow Puerto Rican star Daddy Yankee
- The video has had 3.4billion views since appearing on YouTube in January 2017

Smash-hit song Despacito boosts interest in Puerto Rico from tourists by nearly 50% since topping the charts