tourism

Officials want to promote religious sites

David Mesa/LA PRENSA

Go with god:Panama tourism officials think the country’s religious sites, which are some of the oldest in the hemisphere, can attract more tourists.1001485

Panama's tourism officials are eyeing a market that would be more interested in salvation than sand and sun.

Carl-Fredrik Nordström, general manager of the Instituto Panameño de Turismo (Ipat), said there have been discussions about how to better market the country's religious sites.

"Our country has the elements needed to be a power in religious tourism in Latin America," he said. "What we need is greater interest from the private sector, so that the infrastructure can be developed at the important sites."

Ana Royo, president of the Asociación Panameña de Operadores de Turismo, contends that the country has the potential to attract such visitors, but much more needs to be done in terms of promotion and marketing.

Currently, the Oficina del Casco Antiguo offers a religious-themed tour that covers 10 sites in that area.

But tourism officials say that the country is filled with sites that have significant religious importance, as Panama was one of the first countries settled by Europeans on the continent.

The most significant of these is the Iglesia de San Felipe in Portobelo, which houses the Cristo Negro. Thousands of people attend a religious festival in the city each year on Oct. 21.

And there are also a number of other significant religious landmarks erected by early Spanish settlers.

Yet there is little in the way of amenities to accomodate a large number of tourists. Most problematic is a lack of hotel space, especially in the interior where some of the churches are located.

Many of Panama's religious attractions are also in need of extensive renovations.

The religious tourism market includes as many as 250 million people, according to studies done by Spanish universities. For Panama to enter into this market, it needs to make a major commitment of resources.

Marjorie Ali, assistant manager of Pesantez Tour, said that Panama is "in its infancy" in terms of religious tourism, and these travelers are often looking to visit countries that are more developed in this area.

Tourism officials also noted that, during this week, many hotels are full, but with tourists visiting the country's beaches instead of its religious landmarks.