Primary objectives of tourism

In his belief, World Tourism Organization states as the main goals of the industry: “stimulating economic growth and creating jobs, encouraging the protection of the environment and the heritage of destinations and promoting peace and understanding of all the nations of the world through tourism”.

This philosophical dogma that governs labeling world organization, a specialized sector of the United Nations Organization in the smokeless industry, makes us pause during the pre-election interval to analyze the tourism blueprints in government plans presented by each party and all the phrases of past sustainable tourism master plans that have resulted in major failures because simply after assuming power, the party in power puts it in a box and does what it wants.

The common denominator of the statement is Encourage economic growth and job creation. That is, clearer than a drop of fresh water during a bajareque, exact measurement is required, demanded, demanded, not the usual excuses of governments on duty. And that measurement as a primary basis must include a large increase in the annual number of tourists.

Like a turtle, Panama sIt has stagnated in annual visitor numbers that have hovered around two million since 2007. Not to mention that number includes a large horde of Colombian, Venezuelan, and Nicaraguan irregulars, as well asand United Nations Regional Executives, N OG’s and multinational companies, based in Panama, that frequently enter and exit the Isthmus, but do not act as tourists.

The basic formula for the success of the effort is the aggressive recruitment of low-cost airlines, a problem implemented with relative success by the authorities of our biggest regional competitors, especially Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. Ridiculous prices of traditional airlines, cup, American and United, to and from North America, our largest source of tourists, are similar to airfares between United States and Europe. By reducing the prices of air travel, which is a consequence of greater competition, the destination becomes more accessible.

Despite the Via Crucis being a daily journey from the Isthmus for many, we welcome the metamorphosis of transport resulting from the construction of the metro in the capital. What the tourist is looking for is movement throughout the destination. We cannot develop tourism in the province without a very modern and agile network of national highways, something similar to the effect of construction north and south corridors in Panama City. And this affects not only the development of tourism, but also the dynamic national development. Just as the Panama Canal affects the global economy, a modern national highway system would support our takeoff.

It takes a lot of creativity and effort, because having everything does not create glittering magnets for tourism. A case in hand that shows what can be achieved is the revival of the old Class and troop clubfirst headquarters Club Union in the Old Town, from a fetid state of ruin, a hotbed of vermin and mosquitoes, to a bona fide world-class hostel, the bastion of the Sofitel Hotel, which holds a place in its imposing Legend category. Our initiatives should be directed towards this desire.

Facts, not words. The shame should be the reality that, for example, Dominican tourism with all its virtues and beaches wins 10 million visitors a year, and we, having everything, canal, trade, history and greenery we languish in the dungeon of indifference and dark leadership without vision, action and affection for what is ours.