Our special guest is a businessman with more than 20 years of experience in the tourism sector, founder of Puerto Colon 2000, has promoted social and economic development of this Atlantic region, making the people of Colon aware of the tourism potential of their province. He is a believer in the impact of good social responsibility practices for communities close to tourist destinations. Steven Tarazi is currently President of the Board of Directors at PROMTUR Panama and he speaks exclusively to us about the hard work that is being done today to promote our country in the world and how he sees Panama facing the challenges that lie ahead.
Our country is a melting pot, with cultural influences from all over the world. How can we enhance these human characteristics in favor of the country and our tourism?
“The first thing that PROMTUR did before starting the marketing work was to understand Panama a little better as a destination, it was a study that we carried out to find out what the tourism brand of Panama was going to, that it be part of a study that was done with a company called Beautiful Destinations, which is one of the best companies in the world for this task. Many focus groups were also held and the entire country was traveled to interview people, Panamanians, foreigners who live here, and from there came “Panama Live for More”. In the study they realized that the Panamanian is a mixture of races and cultures. Being a multicultural destination like us is what makes Panama so special that anyone who comes to the country will feel related. If you are Italian, there is a large Italian community here, if you are German there is also a German community, if you are Chinese, Jewish or of any religion, in Panama you can find them all.”
You have worked directly on projects that have enabled people from difficult sectors of Colón to contribute the best of their human talent to tourism. Are there other projects in this region where this work is continuing?
“Colon is a very good example, and it is a job that never ends. To begin with, you have to start the project with the residents in the town where the project is being developed. At least 90% of the workforce for the construction of Colon 2000 was commissioned to be from Colon. In those times there was the problem of many crime gangs and we met with the leaders of those gangs and we assured them jobs, they became security chiefs and took courses with government institutions. We have received more than 10 million passengers at the cruise port in the last 20 years and there have been maybe two or three problems, and these were resolved before the ship sailed, because they returned the wallet or cell phone that was taken. It is a project that has worked.
It is important that the people know that tourism guarantees the future of their children and grandchildren and for that reason tourists must be treated well, and believe me they do.
The cruise industry is one of the most lucrative in the world, distributing wealth to the entire economy. What has been done in this segment to position the country as a world-class cruise “hub”?
“This is the subject that I like the most, the cruise industry is what I have dedicated myself to, our company is dedicated to the operation of ports, the first cruiseship Port of Colon and now we have the operation of Amador Port and it was coincidentally a great dream, because Panama became the only country in the world that can have routes in two oceans and a canal. Working with the government, it was possible that those cruise ships that embark and disembark in Panama, that is, use the country as a “Homeport” have the right to include the canal in the route and the government will reimburse the cost of that transit to motive the cruiselines and aftet a while they start paying for it. However, that reimbursement stays in the country multiplied by seven or ten, since passengers have to come to Panama by plane, stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, cruise ships have to stock up with local products of all kinds. It has been calculated that a cruise with 2,800 passengers generates around 10 million dollars in the economy and transit costs $400,000, it is a tremendous business for the country.
We want to see four to five cruise ships a week picking up and disembarking passengers, we would be talking between 15,000 – 20,000 passengers weekly, which accounts for 50% of hotel occupancy in Panama City. We have already closed deals with Royal Caribbean to start from 2023, Norweggian Cruiselines will start in October of this year.
In terms of cruise ship infrastructure, I think that we have what is needed in Panama, but if there was a place that I would quickly think of to add to the tourist offer, it would be Puerto Armuelles, because in the Pacific, instead of tourists leaving money in Costa Rica, cruise ships from that sector could make a stop at this coastal town and make excursions to the Chiriqui highlands that are not very far away, only two hours away. It would be necessary to improve the infrastructure of the Port, but I understand that there is a company that wants to fix the dock so that it can be used for cargo, but I think it can also be used to receive tourists from these cruise ships.”
What can be implemented so that Visitor who embarks or disembarks at Colon 2000 wishes to return there the next time?
“In Colon, everything that was infrastructure, parks, new streets, sewage services, etc. has already been worked on. They are starting to knock down the old buildings that gave a bad impression and the Free Port law was created that should solve the problem of the Colon old town, because it is going to create a free zone for retail sale to tourists and nationals. With this law we must promote Colon as a local tourist destination, so that those who live in Chiriqui or any other sector can go buy up to $2,000 per year in products without introduction tax or itbms.
In Colon 2000 we started with a project that is ready, we are delivering the commercial premises, there are more than 25,000 m2 with international brands. There is a very focused energy in these strengths that is going to move throughout Colon City. Colonense has a lot to give, so it’s time to enhance all the good things they have.”
The current tourism infrastructure requires investment to enhance the Visitor’s experience. Which destinations do you think need it the most and what do you suggest improving or creating?
“Bocas del Toro is a place where we must improve the infrastructure, however, I see that there are many projects for this destination: enlarging the airport runway, building internal roads, reinforcing police security, communications, electricity and water. It is necessary because Bocas del Toro has been, is and will continue to be a great destination for the country. Panama City is quite well I think, we must invest more in tourism education throughout the country. Colon also requires, however, I am very pleased that they are going to build the road to Maiía Chiquita in Costa Arriba, since there is an access problem and this project solves it, it will be possible to drive from Panama to Portobelo in 1 hour. ”