economy

Tourism changes coming

The country's new tourism regulations will go into effect on Sept. 1., but questions still remain about how they will be administered.

Since the Asamblea Nacional approved the new regulations in February, the Instituto Panameño de Turismo (Ipat) and business leaders from the industry have been preparing for the change and revising the regulations, said Ricardo Ledezma, and adviser to Ipat General Manager Rubén Blades.The regulations, which are now in their final phase, will be reviewed next week when Blades returns to Panama after spending a month in Europe on a musical and promotional tour.

The document will then be submitted to the Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias.

One of the key issues that needs to be clarified is the funding for a proposed Fondo Nacional de Turismo. While the program will be funded initially by Ipat, it is not yet known how it will be replenished. Some industry leaders are concerned that it will be funded through new taxes on tourist-related enterprises.