Photographies by Pedasi Tours
On December 30th, under the auspices of the Pedasi Chamber of Tourism and Mayor Miguel Batista of Pedasi, various hotel owners and investors met with the Minister of Tourism Authority, Don Jesús Sierra, in order to express some of the most urgent tourism needs for the District of Pedasi.
Different groups of investors and hotel owners were present at the meeting mainly influenced by questions of security, transport and health. With regard to SAFETY, a need to strengthen security in different area beache such as Los Destiladeros and particularly Playa Venao where the latter was discussed as a spot for a tourist pólice station.
Another key point emphasized was TRANSPORTATION from Pedasi to Panama City and vice versa. Improving airport facilities were examined with the idea of extending the existing runway another 200 meters to accommodate larger aircraft and to also connect different flights from Pedasi with Bocas del Toro. The group also looked at how to keep the cost of tickets reasonable. Public land transport proves difficult between Pedasi and Panama City and no direct land transport exists. To get to Pedasi or go to Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro, a traveler must perform multiple transfers, which is very complicated for tourists. The group also expressed the need for signs that clearly indicate the directions to leave Panama City and head to Pedasi.
Another field where urgent action is needed is HEALTH, where there is a great need to commission the MINSA CAPSI an ambulance in Pedasi District, to meet the demand before the arrival of visitors and foreigners to the area. Many of these people are retired and have medical needs that must be addressed.
Further themes addressed by the Minister of Tourism were the lack of toilet facilities on ISLA IGUANA, adequate monitoring and protection of the island and the entry fee. There was also discussion on PEDASI’S INFRASTRUCURE. Including the need for creating sidewalks and fixing many of the streets. Preparing personnel for a tourist economy was also mentioned…things like implementing workshops to properly train people would be beneficial.
The CONSTRUCTION OF A CRAFT MARKET AND PRODUCTION, where by the municipality of Pedasi would donate the land for construction was also discussed. AGROTURISMO was another theme touched upon, where visitors engage directly with livestock and agricultural activities and the locals who operate them.
It was a relaxed meeting where the Minister of Tourism Authority, Don Jesús Sierra, listened to different hotel owners and investors, analyzed their thoughts and gave answers one by one to all the concerns raised. The Minister endorsed the professionals and pledged to boost the necessary measures for tourism development in the area of Pedasi.
