Panama has 80% of its tourist attractions outside the capital city, especially in sectors where the main ingredient is nature. This reference forces the country to know not only its eco-tourism potential, but also to study what is required to preserve the natural heritage that has been generating economic and social development. For this reason, our special guest is one of the most prominent environmentalist in Panama and currently Director of Wildlife Works Carbon, a pioneer organization in the development of projects for the mitigation of climate change, as well as leader of other important international environmental organizations. Graduated from prestigious universities such as Harvard Business School and Penn State University, Lider Sucre, as he is widely known, shares with The Visitor – El Visitante his vision of the preservation of nature in Panama and the positive impact on Panama’s tourism.
How does the preservation of natural resources help in the development of tourism activities linked to nature?
“The importance of nature tourism and associated activities such as adventure tourism in a country like Panama cannot be underestimated. Costa Rica, Belize, Ecuador, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa are countries that have developed very robust tourist economies, based on their natural attractions and with which we can compare favorably in terms of potential. For this tourism the raw material is essential: the natural and landscape attractiveness, and in this Panama is exceptional. So the key to growth is the preservation of the product.”
Is the country ready to promote sustainable tourism by integrating communities to develop experiences?
“Without a doubt, Panama has been maturing in preparing better many of its rural communities so that they can join our tourism offer. Today we see in many regions of the country many local initiatives in pleasant (campesino), Afro and indigenous communities, both individually and as a group, to value its natural and cultural attractions to welcome tourists – at a level that surpasses anything we have seen in the last 30 years. We must thank the many organizations. national non-profits, international aid such as the United Nations Small Grants Program and the local people’s own initiative, which have made us much better prepared. Residents are arriving, tourists are arriving, but there is definitely an appetite and preparation for much more is needed.”
Which areas of the interior of Panama can benefit most in the short term from the development of sustainable ecological tourism?
“Predicting this is not easy at all! Emphasizing the sustainability part, yes, the Bocas del Toro archipelago really manages to strengthen the care of its extraordinary natural attraction, it is a good example of a site that could prosper more. But Bocas risks killing “The goose that puts the golden eggs” cause it faces the challenge of not further degrading the same things that already attract visitors today: mangroves and coral reefs, amazing coastal landscapes that still preserve that natural and jungle sense without excess development. All the other sites that are already magnets for nature tourism in Panama face this same challenge, some more than others.”
Photos courtesy: Lider Sucre
