The event held at the Atlapa convention center on September 26th and 27th will bring together wholesale companies from Europe, America and Asia with tourism companies from Panama and the region.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP):
(Panama, June 17, 2014). Over 150 wholesale operators from America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean who have great interest in tourism in Panama, will meet in the fifth edition of the INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EXPO, to be held on 26 and 27 September.
There is a need for 85% of staff working in hotels speak at least two languages, while some positions requires the mastery of three languages.
This was explained by Jesus Sierra, president of the Panamanian Association of Hotels (APATEL), who estimates that over the next three years they will require approximately 10,000 bilingual people in the country for the hospitality industry.
Beginning this year, companies can voluntarily participate in the certification system for tourist services.
The Government, the private sector and Spanish consultant company Applus are working in quality standards which will be imposed on companies in order to achieve certification.
Lack of trained, bilingual staff is the top concern for tourism businessmen.
The situation gets worse outside the capital of the country, where 25% of the tourism workforce is employed.
Annette Cárdenas, president of the Chamber of Tourism of Panama told Pa-digital.com.pa: "... we want to create synergies between private companies and the Government, so students graduate from college not just with a title, but also speaking another language. If its necessary, we'll have to open an English language college...".
Despite feeling the crisis, investment in some sectors remains remarkably high, among them Hotels.
An article in Martesfinanciero.com indicates that "Reports from the General Comptroller of the Republic reveal that 110.487 passenger enetered the country in May, a drop of 18.0% when compared to the same month of 2008, when 134.784 people where registered".
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