In coordination with the guild of private companies the Tourism Authority of Panama has announced the beggining of the international campaign "Vive Panamá".
At a meeting between government officials and companies in the sector strategies and development plans for the tourism industry in the medium term were reviewed.
The manager of the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), Jesus Sierra Victoria, reported that for November the ATP will bring forward the campaign "Vive Panamá" which begins on the 1st and ends on the 31st, with offers for tourists, including dining and shopping .Tourists will receive personalized attention at airports with information on tourist sites in Panama, he added.
Private trade and the Ministry of Tourism will start certifying the quality of tourism services in order to improve the sector's competitiveness against competition in the region.
Statement of the Ministry of Tourism of El Salvador (Mitur):
The Minister of Tourism, Mr. José Napoleon Duarte Durán alongside the Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism launched a document entitled "Statement of quality and sustainability for tourist accommodation" which seeks to strengthen the tourism industry in our country and improve the competitiveness of services.
The campaign against property being rented out for tourism purposes establishes penalties with fines ranging from $5000 to $50,000 for those who promote and commit the crime.
The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) has opened up a communication channel for businesses and individuals to report cases of houses rented to foreign tourists in the capital, in compliance with Law 80 prohibiting this activity.
In the first half of the year $218 million came into the country, 10.3% more than the $197.5 million generated in the same period in 2013.
Details from the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur) show that "... Between January and June Nicaragua received 650,008 foreign visitors, representing a growth of 7.1% compared to the same period in 2013, when the country received 607.155 tourists. "
Authorities from Tributación Directa reported that the sales tax on tourist activities will start to be accrued from September 30th.
Despite complaints by tourism entrepreneurs, Carlos Vargas, director of Tributación Directa, confirmed that the tax, which taxes at 13% activities as "... zoos, spa, canopy tours, hiking trails, bird watching activities, and bungee jumps, among other things, "will begin to be accrued on September 30 this year.
The Chamber of Tourism and the Tourism Authority of Panama have presented a tourism promotion strategy to increase the number of visitors during November.
From a statement by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP):
With the support of the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama and CAMTUR have presented a tourism strategy to boost the tourism sector.
After complaints from the sector about the adverse implications of taxing tourism services in protected areas, the government has announced that they proposal will be revised.
In Costa Rica the union is opposed to the decision of the Ministry of Finance to charge 13% VAT on tourism enterprises for the use of protected areas.
From a statement issued by the National Chamber of Tourism:
Wednesday July 23, 2014. Perceiving it as a serious threat to the tourism industry, the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) categorically rejects the decision of the Ministry of Finance to extend the interpretation of Article 1, Section C of the General Sales Act, which taxes, with 13 % Value Added Tax on all State Protected Wild Areas, considering them to be provision of recreation services.
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.
Up until May incentives have been authorized for 22 tourism investment projects, including the construction of the airport in Costa Esmeralda, for $12 million.
Tourism growth and incentives granted to investment projects in the tourism sector are boosting investment in the country, which, according to estimates by the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism, will amount to $400 million in the year.
Tourist Companies in Central America will be presenting their services and participating in business conferences from 14th to 16th of May in San Jose.
The Costa Rican Association of Tourism Professionals (ACOPROT) will be holding on the 14th to 16th of May, the Expotur International Tourism Fair 2014. More than 300 representatives from tourism companies in Costa Rica and Central America will gather in San Jose to present their services and take part in business conferences.
The country will be present in three international tourism fairs that will be held in January in Orlando, Madrid and Utrecht, in The Netherlands.
From a press release from the Ministry of Tourism of El Salvador (Mitur):
This year the Ministry of Tourism through the brand "El Salvador impresionante" (Impressive Salvador) will promote the country globally as a tourist destination in 17 international fairs, with the goal of strengthening the attraction of foreign visitors to the country.
Af the end of the second exhibition for tour operators projections are that $5.7 million has been transacted in business deals which will materialize in the medium term.
This was confirmed by Ana Mercedes de Lembke, president of the Guatemalan Chamber of Tourism (Camtur). The activity which ended yesterday, included 1,145 business meetings between 40 local tourist service companies and international buyers from 15 countries where Guatemala was not included as a tourist destination.
Missing or false information encourages consumers who are defrauded, to be mislead, especially with regards to vacation plans.
Reports have been made of huge losses worldwide due to scams related to vacation plans due to lack of tourist information and false advertising.
More than 42 consumer protection agents in Africa, Asia, America, Europe and Oceania will meet at the Forum entitled 'Improving Consumer Protection in a Global Economy', which is taking place in Panama until October 11.