https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/economia/220810/panama-potencial-seguir-desarrollando-turismo-nautico?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc

The secretary of the Nautical Tourism Association (ATN), Alessandro Risi, affirmed that Panama has the potential to continue developing nautical tourism, an activity that has the capacity to permeate the entire value chain of the industry.

Live the experience of transiting through the Panama Canal, diving and practicing water sports in the waters of Guna Yala, Bocas del Toro, Isla Perla, Isla Coiba, Gulf of Chiriquí, Isla Piña, where you can enjoy sport fishing, diving and land activities such as hiking, are among others, the attractions that these types of tourists or travelers seek from Panama.

According to Risi, nautical tourism can leave a more solid economy than congress and convention tourism, even that of cruise ships, because yachts can anchor in the Pacific as well as in the Atlantic and stay up to six months in Panamanian territorial waters. and in all that time his crew incurs multiple expenses.

He explained that, for example, a yacht of approximately 150 feet in length has the capacity to carry 10 to 12 people on board, who spend on provisions, helicopter rentals, hotels, shopping malls, consumption in restaurants, fuel, traffic tolls. by the Channel, among others. In addition, many of these people arrive in their private jet, then embark and go sightseeing.

Activities around nautical tourism could be generating $100,000 to $200,000 dollars in revenue, permeating almost the entire industry.

“When we talk about nautical tourism we are talking about boats and yachts that come from all over the world, which is what we want them to come and stay here and spend,” he stressed.

He added that Panama has 22 marinas distributed in the Atlantic and the Pacific, with the capacity to receive large and medium-sized vessels, and assured that nautical tourism is not an exclusive activity for people with purchasing power.

“In these marinas there is availability to rent yachts to celebrate 15 years, bachelor parties, family trips, among other events,” he said.

Risi explained that there are even records of well-known figures, including actors and businessmen, who have visited the country on several occasions to enjoy its beautiful beaches, including tycoon Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft. His most recent journey through the country was in Isla Cébaco and Isla Coiba. “Gates has been to Panama on several occasions and has recounted his experience during transit through the Canal.

The businessman believes that Panama needs to copy the Florida business model, but to do so, he assures, it is necessary to show internationally what Panama has. In Florida, nautical tourism is the number one business, earning billions of dollars each year, he said.

I have assured that there are scenarios in Europe, the United States and the Caribbean such as the International Boat Fair, the Yacht Fair in Florida, Miami, Minneapolis, the Antigua Rubber Fair, among others, where Panama can show its potential for nautical tourism