This year the National Tourism Convention will be held on October 25 and 26, and will be focused on bringing together the entire tourism sector at the national level. With the motto “Tourism, Panama, Engine of Economic Development and Communities”, the organizers seek to increase the participation of the interior of the country in this important congress. Ernesto “Tito” Orillac, President of the Organizing Committee, comments that they are going to take a significant percentage of the interior tourism value chain, but they will also include the communities that have organized themselves to present tourism products during the event.
A World Class Guest and Relevant Topics
This congress will bring more tourist options as well as the Secretary of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, who will have the mission of opening the congress on October 25 at the Sheraton Hotel.
Ernesto “Tito” Orillac indicates that they will be presenting relevant topics such as: “Raising the Quality of Service”, a tourist culture project that will be launched at the convention with the aim of raising quality service in the country, so that it becomes a great movement throughout the country. The President of CONATUR 2022 continues explaining that there will be a tourist reactivation table, also panels with topics ranging from connectivity, airports, increases in passenger demand, development agreement project with communities, tourism as a State policy, as well as the presentation of the plans that the Inter-American Development Bank has for the sector.
International Speakers
Ernesto “Tito” Orillac announced that CONATUR 2022 will feature renowned international speakers, including the CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Shannon Stowell, and the Latin American Director Gabriela Stowell, where both will offer keynote lectures on the subject of sustainable and adventure tourism. A tourism segment that is going to become the next generator of wealth but focused on sustainability. Miles Phillips, professor at the University of Oregon, specialist in Tourism, will also be present and will speak about tour guides and their importance in the tourism value chain.
Market Place with More than 500 Companies
Ernesto “Tito” Orillac also announced that a “Market Place” is coming, where it will be possible to do business with more than 500 companies and tourism service providers from all over the country. It will be the opportunity for communities to present their tourism products through service providers such as travel agencies or tour operators, and even hotels and tour guides, for the first time at a fair the objective is to integrate all the actors by implementing not only the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism, but also a strategic plan to comprehensive national level.
Access to Funds and Spreading Events throughout the Country
The President of CONATUR 2022 also indicated that a new model authorized by the IDB will be presented so that tourism companies can access these funds.
Similarly, the National Chamber of Tourism of Panama is seeking to create business opportunities to bring international buyers, and bring these events to the interior so that communities, micro-entrepreneurs and small entrepreneurs can, for the first time, directly negotiate their products and services with tour operators and international wholesalers.
Free Registration Starts in October
At the beginning of October, registration will open to participate in CONATUR 2022, participation is free and those who are involved in tourism must register in time as they have limited places.
Ernesto “Tito” Orillac closes by commenting that CONATUR is really looking for the State policy of Tourism on paper to become a reality. That tourism be embraced as the largest or one of the largest generators of income, not only for the State, but for the country and that it contributes to the improvement of the quality of life of all Panamanians.
Photos courtesy: CONATUR/National Chamber of Tourism
