The tourism sector will be able to start operations when the economic reactivation of Block 3 (Travel Agencies) and Block 4 (Hotels and Restaurants) are announced by authorities. Prior to reopening, this economic sector has been working to adjust its products to the new general biosafety guidelines, with recommendations provided by the Ministry of Health (MINSA), Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) and the Ministry of Labor and Social Development ( MITRADEL).
Anticipating Reality
There are two destinations that are preparing on biosafety issues to avoid cases of contagion among their staff and visitors. The Tourism Chambers of both Pedasi and Chiriquí began working on the recommendations provided by the ministries mentioned before, closely following the proposals presented by the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP).
Biosecurity, The Key to Visitor’s Trust
The President of the Pedasi Chamber of Tourism, Ovidio Díaz, says that tourists will begin to look for certified Biosafety destinations, because they will feel confident that the place where they will stay has the appropriate conditions for vacationing.
Diaz continues by saying that they have doing the inquiries of tourist companies dedicated to the training and implementation of sanitary measures in this sector and receive a proposal from Biosphere, an international company that will help receive a COVID quality certification, under standards approved by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and World Organization of the Health (WHO).
In Chiriquí, the tourist sector is following the general guidelines they have received to gradually start operations. “We are making an internal reactivation effort with seven work committees, where topics such as biosafety, new products and their adaptation, promotion, marketing and communication are reviewed. We are preparing ourselves adjusting to the reality of each company within the destination to propose a strategy that is consistent with the national strategy, “said Jorge Tovar, Director of the Tourism Commission at the Chiriquí Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Board of Directors of PROMTUR (Tourism Promotion).
Modified Tourist Experiences
Among the experiences they are modifying, are the ones that are carried out in open spaces such as hiking, where transmission is limited. In fact Tovar pointed out that the bases were being provided to carry out these activities with greater distance, but the frequency and the number of groups of people are changing to tour a Coffee Route, a river rafting tour or canopy. Logistics and transportation are factors that will undergo major changes.
Social distancing and the use of masks are part of the biosafety protocols that must be put into practice when faced with a virus that is here to stay. Each destination must guarantee the greatest use of technological resources in interpersonal relationship management such as reservation and customer service to reduce physical contact.
Measures such as enabling fewer rooms, creating safe health areas, medical attention for possible suspected cases, providing hygienic facilities in tourist packages, among others, are recommendations to implement. Responsible tourism is the new modality that both destinations to visit and those who want to enjoy without setbacks must abide by.
For more information to enter the platform and carry out or modify its procedures directly, go to: www.panamadigital.gob.pa or www.mitradel.gob.pa in the Creation Link of the Health and Hygiene Committees.
