The Panamanian Hotel Association (Apatel) expressed concern about recent criminal acts that occurred in Panama City, including incidents in areas of high tourist traffic, such as Balboa Avenueand warned about its impact on the international perception of the country as a safe destination.
The hotel union maintained that these events not only compromise citizen safety, but also directly affect the reputation of Panama, a key factor for regional tourism competitiveness.
“Tourism is highly sensitive to security. Each event of this nature has a multiplier effect that transcends the specific event, impacting visitor confidence, the reputation of the destination and competitiveness compared to other markets in the region”Apatel said in an official statement.
The organization warned that international trust is one of the country’s main assets in tourism and that any setback in this area can have economic and reputational consequences.
Given this scenario, Apatel asked the authorities to implement immediate measures to reinforce security, especially in areas with a high influx of visitors.
Among the proposed actions, the following stand out:
The union reiterated its willingness to work together with State institutions to develop strategies that strengthen security and guarantee the protection of both citizens and tourists.
Apatel emphasized that, in a global context where security directly influences the choice of destinations, Panama cannot afford to lose ground in this aspect.
