international

Tourism market opens

Several foreign tour operators are interested in doing business in Panama now that they are allowed to work here.

Under a law that went into effect Jan. 11, the tourism industry has been opened to foreign companies, and not just those owned by Panamanians.

"Before, if an operator wanted to bring 1,000 German tourists here for a week, he could not do so because it was prohibited by law. Now, he is fully entitled to do so," said David Saied of the Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas.

To date no foreign companies have entered the market, but the government has received inquiries from several companies interested in doing so.

The Asociación Panameña de Operadores Turísticos said they are not afraid of the competition, but are worried that the country's infrastructure can't support a large influx of visitors.

President Ana Royo expressed concerns that the government's planned changes to the tourism regulations have not been scrutinized enough.

"We do not know how the changes that have been envisioned are going to be implemented," Royo said. "There are still too many loopholes."

Royo said that the government should have took steps to increase the number of hotel rooms and improve transportation before looking to bring more tourists to the country.

"We are not ready for this," she said.