He has more than 30 years of experience in tourism nationwide, and is currently a member of the National Tourism Council. Founder of Pesantez Tour, he believes with great determination that the best promoters in Panama are the Panamanians who explore their country and history.
Enrique Pesantez highlights that Tour Operators will be able to launch a new product and receive training to provide a better service, but it is essential to change the image and concept that foreign tourists have of Panama, as a canal destination. For him, as a national tourism leader, the arrival of this sanitary emergency that has had the tourist industry on pause believes that now the main visitor to conquer is the local tourist.
How did you become a member of the Nationa Tourism Council (CNT) and how beneficial will it be for the union?
“My appointment to the CNT came about because I was part of a shortlist presented by the Tourism Chamber (CAMTUR), whose choice was in the hands of the President of the Republic. In my case, I am substitute for Daniel Arias as Principal. We are responsible for approving the general guidelines, goals and objectives for the development of the Tourism Master Plan. We approve the annual budget for income, expenses and investments and ensure the transparency of the expenses process. For a Tour Operator to occupy this position is a tremendous opportunity”.
What meetings, agreements and activities have you carried out to cope with the pandemic to be able to resume work as soon as tourism is allowed?
“Countless meetings have been held through CAMTUR, our speaker before the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), where we managed to raise our concerns and needs. Meetings have also been held with PROMTUR Tourism Promotion Fund, Tocumen and other organizations. We are defining some regulations presented in the health protocols, to have everything clear when restarting work. The part that corresponds to financial aid, certifications and training is being evaluated.
What health standards or protocols should they follow in the face of the new reality and whether they have been supervised by the Ministry of Health?
“The rules to follow in health protocols are according to the type of tourist activity that is carried out. In many cases we must be the ones to supervise so that clients feel safe and confident. The Ministry of Health, so far have not reviewed us because we are part of Block 4 “.
What will be the tourist destinations that will have more demand and how will domestic flights and the opening of Tocumen will help encourage traveling?
“Beaches and everything related to the ocean will be the most coveted. National and international flights will be the spearhead for the development of our tourism, also depending on the effects that Covid-19 has had on the visitor’s countries of origin. In order for operators to justify a commercial operation, the entire country must be open to tourists ”.
How tour operators will help reposition Panama’s country brand and Covid Free destination?
“Tour operators will be able to help depending on several factors: air fares in accordance with the current situation, international promotion that includes the eight local destinations that were chosen. No matter how much the operator promotes a new product, it will not be the same effect as an institutional campaign could have. We will have to make a well structured plan that reaches the heart of the tourist”.
Recommendations that it would give to achieve the reactivation of the economy in the tourism sector
“Start – prior to the opening – with an institutional campaign, with the aim of starting to raise awareness among potential foreign tourists that we are more than a waterway and a shopping destination. With the local market, we need to do the same to motivate Panamanians discover their country. We already have a Public Relations company, with a promotion plan in the hands of PROMTUR; we must double our efforts in social networks; create virtual workshops for Wholesalers and Travel Agencies that generate visitors. All this is aimed at potential markets such as the United States, European countries, and Latin-American countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and Ecuador ”.
What are the lessons that this experience leaves about local tourism to be more competitive internationally?
“The pandemic leaves us an economic legacy that we cannot repeat. In our country competition is very unfair. If the competition rested on the “service” concept, we would be at least earning minimum percentages to be able to live well.
Another problem is that most Panamanians do not know their entire country. For this reason it is very rare that they recommend tourist sites. We suggest that subject matters related to our culture, along with Panama relations with the United States be included, and also be promote from schools to universities in order for all citizens to know more about Panama.
This also applies to operators. Because if you don’t know about your country, you don’t recommend. If you don’t recommend, you don’t sell. And if you do not sell, we will continue in the same place. Work will be hard but interesting”.
