Tourism policy is not happy for actors in that sector

The expectations that the sector held after the consequences caused by the pandemic were met in a positive sense, with the fact that the sectors achieved results that were higher than expected, however, situations occur that created “some kind of disappointment” in the tourism industry, assured Antonio Alfaro from the National Tourist Chamber of Panama (Camtur).

Restrictions on the entry of low-cost airlines to airports and the situation in ports for cruise ships are affecting the industry and putting the country at a disadvantage compared to its competitors, the entrepreneur said. He believes that people travel to countries where it costs them half or a third of what they spend in Panama.

“If I go to Bocas del Toro by car, I worry that I will find a blockade of people asking for water or because of the high price of food, and if I travel by plane, the return trip will cost me the same as four days of hotel accommodation,” asked Alfaro during the presentation of the results promotion of international tourism.

The delay in completing the port of Amador is another questionable point. “The structures are already deteriorating. Rust is coming out of the structure that has not been delivered,” he added.

To the above, Alfaro adds exclusive fuel supply contracts that have caused reactions from cruisers. Such situations generate an environment of mistrust among visitors, in front of an industry that is very sensitive, the expert pointed out.

Alfaro blames mismanagement by the government, as well as a lack of authority in the institutions and the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) itself, which does not have the authority to demand action from the other entities involved.

A Camtur representative also suggested poor performance Tourist office, In his opinion, he should have worked very well because he had the vice president of the Republic, José Gabriel Carrizo, as his rector. “We don’t know him, he doesn’t appear anywhere. We live without any protection,” He said.’

4720 dollars

million was the income from tourism (IT) in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

1.8 dollars

HRK billions realized through the country’s tourism promotion exceeded the target by 21%.

Despite the significant recovery in international visitors and tourist revenue, Domingo de Obaldía, president of the Panama Association of Restaurants and Related Products, believes the promotional campaign has been slow.

Resources invested in tourism are another topic of discussion. Fernando Fondevila, CEO of Promtur Panama He pointed out the less favorable position of the country compared to competitors who invest large amounts of money in promotion.

De Obaldía called on the ATP to pay the remaining $20 million with Promtur Panama. It is not an expense, it is an investment, repeated the representative of the gastronomic industry. In this connection, ATP administrator Ivan Eskildsenhe assured that the funds are being processed in order to be disbursed with respect to the quarterly flows foreseen in the budget.

In 2022, ATP reported a 141.9% increase in international visitor arrivals and a 105.1% increase in tourist revenue compared to the previous year.

The National Tourism Council presented a proposal to extend the Sustainable Tourism Master Plan until 2030. For the manager of ATP, this is good news, but also a “shot in the foot”, given that ATP has neither the resources nor the strategy staff for this.