As a result of the sanitary crisis caused by the covid-19 outbreak, hotel occupancy in Panama has fallen to historic levels and business income has gone up in smoke, a situation that is forcing hotels to look for options to renegotiate their debts.
It is estimated that in this context of economic crisis, Panamanian hotels owe $630 million to financial institutions. Given the unpromising outlook, businessmen of the sector have suggested to the government to support the reactivation of the tourist activity.
In Panama, there are plans to develop in Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Archipelago de las Perlas and Punta Chame, five lodging projects that seek to benefit from the Law on Incentives for Tourist Investments.
Law 122 of December 31, 2019, which dictates incentive rules for the promotion of tourist activities in the interior of the Republic, attracted projects for the country, for a total value of $371,843,971 in new tourist investments, to be built in areas with great tourist potential, informed the Presidency of Panama.
The international chain began to operate in the Santa Ana district of the country's capital a hotel that has 143 rooms and halls for social events.
The new Hilton Garden Inn Santa Ana, will focus on attracting clients from the international and local corporate sector, since the meeting rooms are equipped with the most advanced technology to hold meetings, trainings, seminars, among other activities.
Due to Costa Rica's estimated average hotel occupancy rate of 52% by 2020, well below the 95% recorded at the end of 2019, businessmen in the sector expect that in this context of crisis there will be no peak seasons next year.
The tourism sector is one of the hardest hit by the economic crisis generated by the outbreak of covid-19, because mobility restrictions, the closure of air terminals and the fear of tourists to be infected, have influenced the drastic fall in tourism activity.
Although most activities in the country reopened at the end of August, hotel occupancy levels are still low and business people fear they will be forced to cut more jobs or close operations.
Following the reactivation of air transportation and the easing of restrictions on foreign visitors, the Marriott chain announced the reopening of four hotels operating in the country and the Four Seasons will also reopen its resort in Guanacaste.
The year 2020 has been a complex one for the tourism sector in general, since due to the outbreak of covid-19 since March the hotels began a period in which they did not receive income. In recent weeks, with the relaxation of restrictions, tourism activity has been reactivated and every day more chains are deciding to reopen their facilities.
As of November 1st, meeting centers and event halls, including hotels, will be able to accommodate business and academic activities for up to 150 people.
In addition, in the specific case of social activities such as tea baskets or weddings, the maximum allowed capacity will be 30 people, also without the inclusion of those in charge of attending the event, reported the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.
As part of the process of economic reactivation, starting October 12, Panama will be allowed to reopen swimming pools, cinemas, theaters, museums, galleries, hotels, casinos and tourist sites with closed structures, at 50% of their capacity.
The National Government issued Executive Decree No. 1142 of October 7, 2020 in the Official Gazette, which authorizes the reactivation, operation and mobilization of people in hotels, motels, rural hostels, lodging sites and complementary services, details an official statement.
Although the government did not extend the State of Calamity and since October 1, Guatemala has been allowing the holding of events, fairs and concerts, the sector's businessmen believe that it is not profitable to hold meetings in which an area of 10 m2 per attendee is required.
Following the removal of some of the restrictions imposed in Guatemala by the covid-19 outbreak, the hotel sector reports a rise in occupancy, reaching a level of 25% on August 15 and 16.
Because the Costa Rican Assembly is discussing a bill that seeks to give municipalities the power to declare a dry law in their jurisdiction due to a national emergency, hotels, restaurants and tourist establishments are asking to be exempted from the rule.
The Legislative Plenary approved in first debate the file 21,281 Law to restrict the commercialization of drinks with alcohol content in sports activities and shows, this after the initiative had to be taken back to first debate to amend some details that the deputies considered necessary, informed the Assembly on July 16.
The revival of national tourism was planned for July 15, but due to the current conditions of the covid-19 outbreak, the new date to allow tourism activities at the local level is expected to be August 15.
The spread of the virus forced the Guatemalan authorities to close the borders to visitors, ban commercial flights and restrict tourist activities throughout the country.
Arguing that they will be able to maintain social distance in the common areas, the hotel guild in Costa Rica is asking the government to authorize them to operate at 100% of their capacity, and not at 50% as they are currently allowed.
According to the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCH) the total use of hotel rooms does not represent a disadvantage since these spaces are used in family, social bubbles or individually.
Disinfection of the room keys, deep cleaning of the facilities and the guests' luggage are some of the protocols that will be applied by the hotels in Costa Rica at the time of opening.
After being closed for two months due to the health crisis resulting from the covid-19 outbreak, since May 16 the country's hotels with less than 20 rooms were allowed to open their doors to the public, but with the condition that they only occupy 50% of their capacity.
Social Security is bidding for hotel service in the metropolitan area in order to house medical professionals in charge of the emergency care of covid-19.
The hotel facilities are required to guarantee privacy, comfort and security for the medical professionals staying there and the use of all the facilities by the Guatemalan Social Security Institute, except for the common areas, which must remain closed due to health security protocol.
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