Just days after being designated as Administrator of Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) Iván Eskildsen gave the Visitor/El Visitante an interview to talk about the challenges that comes as the country’s main tourist promoter.
Our Special Guest is an outstanding entrepreneur in the tourism business, with a professional background in finance, well recognized for developing Cubitá Hotel in Chitré and Barro Fest in Pedasi. This young businessman was appointed recently by the President of Panama Laurentino “Nito” Cortizo to promote Panama’s tourism. This important segment is part of the main action plans the government is executing to reactivate the economy. The creation of a Tourism Cabinet will align all actions of each government institution to help in this endeavour.
What are the first challenges to face in this important position?
“We have found an industry that has been working throughout a difficult period”. This is why we met with busineness people from the tourist sector, to give them this specific message: is true this situation exist, but we know that Panama still has great potential. Everybody ha to work together on a common goal: develop Panama as a World Class Destination”.
How you plan to reactive Panama’s tourism?
“We are working close with the Promotional Fund for Tourism. As our first task, we need to put Panama in the international map. We are also very focus on tourist products that promote our uniqueness, that are part of our country’s essence and will bring more visitors. We are also going to keep promoting traditional tourism, but giving more emphasis on the ones that represent our country which are history, culture and nature”.
To accomplish this objective, Eskildsen added, “this work is a two way process. The international promotion is closely related to the Promotional Fund for Tourism and internal work to improve our destinations that tourists will invest on going. It will be a challenge to train people, work on product structuring and promote tourist entrepreneurship.
How advanced is the construction work on the new Convention Center and the Pacific Cruise Port?
“The construction work on the new Convention Center is 90% complete. We are working with the Comptroller General’s Office and the contractor in some areas related to an addendum that needs to be sign in order to finish the work. Once completed, conventions and events are reserved with one year in advance, the benefits will be seen between 2020 and 2021. We are going to visit the Pacific Cruise Port to know exactly when works will be finished. We know that there is already a contract sign with Norwegian Cruise Line to have Panama as their Home Port in 2020. This means tourists coming to Panama to take the Cruise ship will stay a couple of days more.
What are the stregnths of Panama according to you?
“Besides being the Hub of the Americas with a wide international connectivity that strengthens the metropolitan area and the interoceanic route, beauty is our greatest strength. We want to promote tourism in the countryside. We want Visitors to stay longer. For that to happen we are going to work with all Tourism Chambers to strengthen each destination and make them more appealing. This will show the real value of the Tourism Cabinet, which will be to support investment on infraestructure and basic public services. We also have the support of central government and the President, tourism is one of the few economic segments that can help reactive the economy really fast. Here in ATP our job is to coordinate all actions with public and private sectors”.
Favorite places in Panama and which one you visit the most?
“Is really hard to choose favorite places, I love all tourists destinations in Panama and soon we will be visiting them all. Pedasi is the place I visit the most, I lived there for a year , also have family there and I love the small town atmosphere”.
