APEDE requests that resources be respected to promote tourism

The Panama Association of Business Executives (APEDE) requires that resources Tourism Promotion Fund (PROMTUR) and be allocated greater economic resources.

According to the union, tourism in Panama creates an economic impact that makes a significant contribution to GDP and creates hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs thanks to the joint work of the private sector and public entities, led Master plan of sustainable tourism 2020-2025.

They also point out that one of the fundamental pillars that enabled the sustainable growth of this industry is PROMTUR, conceived according to the criterion of limiting instability in the allocation of funds for international promotion.

However, they point out that every year Panamanian tourism, and thus PROMTUR, faces the anxiety of budget cuts, which affects the planning and promotion of the country’s international campaign.

“Panama should learn from neighboring countries that continuously provide economic resources to ensure the arrival of tourists and visitors,” adds the union.

These are cases The Dominican Republic is investing $44 million, Puerto Rico $60 million, and Costa Rica $30 millionamong many others.

APEDE indicates that it is Law of 09.03.2017who founded PROMTUR, emphasizes the obligation of the state to pay a minimum contribution of 20 million dollars, which in his opinion should even be increased.

They emphasized that only in the first quarter of 2023, more than 1.221 million dollars. The intention of the proponent of the Law and the representatives was that it was a minimum amount that must be respected.

“All countries in our competitive environment have managed to prioritize tourism as a state policy, a task that is even more imperative in Panama considering the challenges we have in our economy due to the closure of mining operations and the desire for tourism to be an important source of wealth in this new phase of national of life,” concludes APEDE.