According to Galindo, it is necessary to promote the bringing of tourists to the country to occupy the tourist infrastructure to give this sector a start.
The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap), a few weeks ago, sent a note to President Laurentino Cortizo, requesting the veto of Bill 789 and the repeal of Law 122 of 2019, as well as the immediate formation of a Technical Commission that on July 1 presents before the National Assembly a draft law agreed upon by the different actors affected and where the interests of the country prevail.
It seems that this position of the union was not taken into account by the Executive and on Monday, Cortizo sanctioned Law 789 that provides incentives for tourism in the country.
According to the president of the Cciap, Marcela Galindo, what they felt with this bill, “is that we were putting all our eggs in one basket. The State was dedicating large amounts of funds and millions to promoting the construction of hotels, and when you build hotels you promote the offer. We felt that what needed to be promoted the most was the demand, that is, bringing tourists to the country to occupy the tourist infrastructure to give this sector a jump start.”
He pointed out that the tourism sector maintains around 30 thousand people who have not been able to return to their jobs.