Comments on: Panama Tourism Minister Responds

By: Jessica Ramesch

Jessica Ramesch — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:56:41 +0000

Fascinating reading. Casey, please keep us posted re: whether that meeting between you and Blades ever comes to pass…glad to see such an intriguing topic receive the attention it deserves! Thanks…
Jessica Ramesch
Editor, Panama Insider

By: TonyS

TonyS — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:36:41 +0000

Case,

I look forward to seeing the fruits of a meeting between you and Mr. Blades. While we have indeed been blessed in Costa Rica to date, we need to maintain the course of small boutique as opposed to hulking exclusive mega resorts even as the big players now enter the game.

Panama has yet to pick it’s path but as a businessman in Costa Rican tourism, I believe the road for Panama has to be boutique culturally inclusive or you will lose that wonderful indegenous and truly Panamanian culture that Mr. Blades mentions above.

Good luck in your crusade in Panama while we continue to focus on a similar one here in Costa Rica.

By: Casey Halloran

Casey Halloran — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:12:53 +0000

Thanks for all the support.

I’ve also received a number of angry, threatening emails that reinforce my belief that it rarely pays to open one’s mouth, even if it’s an attempt at constructive criticism.

Sam, I totally feel for you and can only imagine the uphill battles you have fought. Your commentary is always insightful. Why Panama in general is so City-focused regarding its tourism is just bizarre to me. The fact that the remote areas have remained relatively untouched for might actually be their saving grace.

We shall see if my ping pong of blog retorts with Ruben actually nets me a positive meeting. I am happy to take some heat if this actually gets people discussing Panama’s tourism future in a thoughtful manner. I’m tired of the knee-jerk “Foreign Invaders vs. Locals” rhetoric. Like it or not, change is coming, so we’d better be sure it’s change we can live with.

To any Panamanian readers: I realize full well I’m a guest in your wonderful country. Despite my desire to see some things improve, I love it here and I’d like to remain a very long time.

In a perfect world, I simply want to look back 20 years from now and be very proud of the tourism industry I played a small part in developing.

PEACE!

By: Starbuck

Starbuck — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:33:00 +0000

I’m not a tourism expert neither do I have near the experience of Halloranc or Blades. But from an unbiased point of view, it seems that what was being offered by Halloranc was constructive criticism as to how Panama may improve its tourism sector. Its response however was defensive and excuse-ridden: to me, representing weakness and lack of confidence in the upper ranks. I agree with MiPanama: isn’t the Minister of Tourism supposed to accept all suggestions, maybe smile, and move on his merry way either seriously considering the suggestion or disregarding it, but doing so politely and quietly? As a Panamanian, the comments by Blades are simply embarrassing. Ive had many conversations with foreigners who could add wonderful things to this country, but not as long as we’re representing these values and approach to progress. Hopefully he’ll be out of a job when the new election rolls around.

By: Sam Taliaferro

Sam Taliaferro — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:17:11 +0000

Well done Casey.
Mr. Blades reminds me of the professor in his ivory tower. They believe because they are at the top they know what is best for everyone. They completely ignore those with experience who want desperately to help the country and themselves see a return on their investments. They won’t visit a nearby country with proven success because it is a waste of time and might show lack of confidence.

As on owner/ operator of a 40 room resort in Boquete, I am amazed at the times I meet IPAT personnel at events who have never been to my resort. Even Mr. Blades has not made an appearance. It is not like Panama has so many they can’t get to them all. You would think with the financial resources and 400 plus staff members they could send someone to visit the assets currently available in the interior.

The fact is that IPATS focus (and most of its income) is Panama City and the beaches close by. The real Panama, and the part tourist really want to see are ignored by IPAT. When you are in the ivory tower things look just fine the way you say they look. The emperor has no cloths!

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:36:39 +0000

Good for you Casey. As a panamanian i really think that the service industry in Panama is kind of terrible but we are improving. I don’t 100% agree with you in some areas, but you are right about almost everything.
Mr. Blades i think that you should listen to the people that are struggling with the lack of service culture day by day.
Keep going Halloran.

By: richardb

richardb — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:42:39 +0000

Bravo!! I have to agree on the points that Panama has terrible service and also that the mega projects and high rise buildings kill the tourism industry in Panama. I regularly travel from CR to PTY and the change in service and smile is apparent very quickly. Hotels have some very unfriendly staff, however the people once you get to know them are good people.