Immigration measures cause cancellations of reservations

The President of the Tourism Chamber of Panama, Ovidio Díaz, said this Monday that the immigration measures announced by the Government last week are having a negative effect on the sector.

In this sense, the manager confirmed that as a result of the information that existed cancellation of some reservations.

“This is negative news, cancellations from wholesalers or agencies immediately began to arrive They already had reservations for PanamaDiaz told Nex Noticias.

Díaz emphasized that these types of measures do nothing to help reactivate the tourism industry, one of the hardest hit during the pandemic.

Fluid communication with the Government is crucial for the President of the Tourist Chamber, because even though they have no influence on decisions, they can find a way to fit in with the authorities and better face the situation.

Díaz pointed out that although the rule does not apply to all tourists, when the news spreads, people do not delve into the information because they only see it superficially.

“The image of the country was damaged. When that news comes out, it generates negative action. A tourist who at the moment of decision thinks about coming to the country, when he sees the news, makes a decision that is suddenly not the one we want,” he added.

Last week, the National Immigration Service announced that to deal with the current crisis, the tourist stay will be reduced from 90 to 15 days and the economic solvency requirement to enter the country will be increased from $500 to $1,000.

The authorities clarified that this measure is not for all passengers. It will only apply to those persons who, after profiling by immigration inspectors, are found to be irregular migrants.

“These operational measures will not affect tourists or investors. They are for people who, according to their profile, are irregular migrants. Tourists with arrangements and agencies will not be affected,” explained Samira Gozaine, director of the National Migration Service.

Gozaine emphasized that the measures were taken at the airport because once security forces block sea crossings and other possible border routes, smugglers may try to use official routes.