In times where the future is not so clear as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic around the world, the national and international tourism industry works against the clock to be prepared for the expected moment … the day after or D day. That moment when health authorities begin to enable citizens to move in the country side more and allow the economy in general to start going back to normal.
A study that has been carried out internationally shows that rural and nature tourism will be among the first to recover. The analysis that includes more than 600 people from the tourism sector shows that the activities and experiences offered in open spaces are those that will be within the new behaviors and attitude that the industry will demand. Elements such as the feeling of isolation and sanitary security where there are no human agglomerations will be essential to be in accordance with the control measures that will begin to be applied in the post-pandemic stage.
Family Visits, First Wave of Tourists
Ernesto “Tito” Orillac, President of CAMTUR considers that the hotels along the Pan-American Highway will be among the first to open their doors to help manage the commercial flow in the interior and hence work together with specific tourist destinations. He also commented that visiting relatives in the interior will be the first wave of local tourism and again from that point analyze the restrictions that Minsa designates. Boquete, Volcan, Bocas del Toro, Pedasi, El Valle, Las Tablas, Veraguas, Las Perlas, Taboga, Portobelo are destinations that for Orillac would be within the parameters of a limited mobility of visitors.
Government Support will be Key
Ovidio Diaz, President of the Pedasi Chamber of Tourism believes that “Bio Security” should be especially emphasized in hotels in rural areas, as well as the entire micro and small business sector with the support of the government. Diaz comments that destinations such as Pedasi, Cambutal, Boca Chica, El Valle and Bocas are ideal places that host less crowds of visitors at the same time.
Juan Antonio de la Guardia, President of the Association of Tourism Guides, believes that national tourists and foreign residents will be the first to visit rural tourist destinations. He also comments that destinations such as the Canal Basin, Coclesito, as well as various points in Chiriquí and Azuero would be among the first to receive local tourists.
Short Distance Travel Will Drive Tourism
Short-distance travel will be the key to recovery in the short term, considering that long-distance travel would be the last step to follow in the process to reactivate the tourism industry 100%. Starting from this premise, beach tourism, as well as health tourism, would be the next to open their doors to tourists. Urban and cultural tourism will be the last to welcome Visitors since it tends to generate more crowds. Tourism related to nature will be the one to flourish the fastest. In the words of Juan Antonio de la Guardia “apparently, nature is going to be fashionable.”
