Interview with Fernando de Leon, Deputy Tourism Minister, Panama

The Panamanian authorities, taking into account the huge potential of the Russian market, are closely following its development and working to strengthen ties with the country's leading travel agents. Mr. Leon believes that strong air links need to be developed and the country promoted in the Russian market as a beach holiday destination, with both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts .

- Was this your first visit to Russia?
- Yes, this was our first visit. We believe that this is a large and important market, and are very encouraged by the thought of what it might mean for tourism to Panama.

- What is Panama's strategy for this market: to promote business tourism and MICE, or general holidays?
- I think the first thing we should do is to strengthen air links, because without them it will be hard to bring Russian tourists to Panama. We are negotiating with several tour operators that work with charter flights , in order to introduce direct flights to Panama, which will be pre-sold. We want to promote any kind of tourism to our country. We have no definite policy on tourism from Russia, but we want to open all doors and address the issue of visas and other related problems .

- Was your stand at MITT visited by many interested people?
- There w ere a lot of tour operators, as well as agencies offering representation services. We think this may be just what we need in far-away countries - not working only through the Embassy , but having a business partner , which would allow us to work more closely with this market.

- Taking into account your spending on coming here, do y ou think the exhibition is of benefit?
- Of course. We were able to get to know each other better. I think that a product, if it is not advertised, will not reach the consumer. We hope that in the near future we will be better represented at these exhibitions, and are even looking at the possibility of subsidi s ing some Panamanian tour operators, so that they can visit touris m exhibition s in Russia.

- Does Panama intend to invest in this market?
- Yes. We consider it separately from the strategy we have in Western Europe.

- How do you think Panama can conquer this market?
- It has become clear that tourists from distant and cold countries go in search of warmth and sun in hot tropical countries, and Panama has much to offer in this area. Our strategy may not be targeted pr imarily at business people. It is likely to be aimed at tourists who are interested in the sun and sea, as we have beaches in the Caribbean Sea and on the Pacific coast. We will focus our attention primarily on such a traveler. 

- What advice would you give Panamanian tour operators interested in this market?
- We understand that there are economic difficulties and that the country is far away. I also believe that we have insufficient knowledge about the Russian market, and that in the Russian market there is not enough knowledge about us. We cannot miss this opportunity, which is now here and waiting for us.

Author: Jose Carlos de Santiago

Source: http://caribbeannewsdigital.com