How can tourism displace mining?

President of the Tourist Chamber of Panama, Ovidio Diaz, he recognized that a lot of work was needed for the tourism sector to absorb the jobs created by Minera Panama.

According to Díaz, the first thing that is needed is the commitment of the central government so that tourism functions on the basis of state policy.

“Public investment is needed. You cannot promote that industry, which we think will replace the mines, when there are no basic services on the beaches to serve tourists,” said Díaz.

The manager also specified that it is important that the streets always remain open because otherwise the image of the country is damaged.

For Díaz, the completion of the arc is a key issue, especially since it has already been proven to generate high room occupancy.

Likewise, the reform of the Organic Law of the Government is considered a priority Tourism from Panama, trying to find the best. In this sense, he mentioned the option to follow the example of other countries to “tropicalize” in Panama.

“We have to find a way for the next government in tourism Take an interest in this industry, which will bear fruit almost immediately. “Tourism immediately brings benefits,” he added.

According to Díaz, the Chamber is working on a proposal that will be shared in one of the debates with the various presidential candidates.

That project, according to Díaz, will “chew a lot” to prove to them that with public investments they can no longer generate 10,000 million in tourism, but double it.

Díaz explains that one of the goals for 2024 should be to attract at least half a million or a million more tourists, which would equal Costa Rica.

In terms of infrastructure, the manager mentioned that there are international airports such as David and Río Hato.

Although he admitted there are challenges for the arrival of new airlines and the offer of more routes to these destinations.

Last week, Minera Panamá developed the process of liquidating 4,000 workers, although it reported that it would retain some of its staff to support maintenance work.

First Quantum Minerals LTD’s head of technology infrastructure for the Cobra Panama project, Mario Romera, questioned the indifference and general lack of empathy for the plight of thousands of workers at the company, which is now facing closure.

Meanwhile, MICI emphasized that it takes approximately 2 years to prepare mine closure plans with these characteristics, and up to 10 or more years to implement.

Minister Jorge Rivera’s staff pointed out that Panama will be the first case in the world where an “immediate” closure of a mine, especially of this size, must be carried out.