New Panama convention center will start operation in 2019
After over five years of delays including political shenanigans, false starts, and malfeasance the new convention center in Amador should be operational in 2019, and Panama city has enough hotel accommodation to host conferences of 10,000 delegates.
Executives from the Federation of Conferences and Related Organizations of Latin America (Cocal) meeting in Panama on Sunday, said that the vast majority of international events does not exceed 1,000 participants, adding that the hotel infrastructure in the capital city is enough to accommodate almost all of these business meetings.
Pablo Weil, president of Cocal, said that Panama has not captured more international events because the private sector has not come together to achieve this goal.
«As it happens in many countries of the region, in Panama the private sector does not go with a single voice before the authorities to make the country host an international event,» he said.
Elizabeth Tovar, director of Cocal, said that we should not wait for the new Amador convention center to be finished to promote the country as a destination for international events.
The center is over 85%, advanced and the contractor must deliver the work in December.
The Tourism Authority plans that the 60,000 square meters, structure which will have the capacity to receive over 25,000 people, will be operational in the second quarter of 2019.
The work had to be ready by the end of 2014, but it was paralyzed for two years after the original contractor left the project.
Ana María Viscasillas, vice president of Cocal, pointed out that the American continent congress and convention tourism has an economic impact that exceeds 30 billion a year.
The challenge of the countries that host congresses and conventions is to offer personalized experiences to the attendees; demonstrate the identity of the destination to get the person to extend their stay or decide to return with a vacation plan.
This would be a key piece to fill the hotel rooms that have only 45% occupancy.
Tsar Events DMC & PCO, expands beyond its successful operation in Russia and Alexander Rodionov, CMP, DMCP, Managing Director & Owner had this to say about the company’s growth, «We have opened an independent office in Panama City to help our clients with their events in Republic of Panama. It is wonderful destination with a fast growing economy with infrastructure offering everything needed for a successful event; from the best international hotels to unique historical venues, a combination of exciting history, to a diverse culture and 21st century modern life.»
Panama is quickly becoming a popular destination for holding conventions and international events. A modern infrastructure, which is often cited as the best in the region, direct flights to more than 50 cities in the region and 13 in the U.S, world-class attractions nearby, meeting facilities, hotels, excellent restaurants, a globalized populace, and a vibrant metropolis with more than 100 banks and exciting nightlife, all make Panama the perfect place to host first-class events.
No matter what you’re looking for…in terms of climate, budget, convenience, or anything else… Panama is likely to check all the boxes.
Panama is located at the center of Latin America, at the very point where Central and South America meet. It is home to one of the world’s fastest growing economies, which is built largely on the country being a primary provider of financial, logistic and commercial services to all the nations of the region. Its central role in Latin America is vested in its being a business friendly nation, and that is complemented by its attractive and comfortable lifestyle.
Panama is a captivating mix of the historical and the modern, the natural and the manmade, the indigenous cultures and the international.
Since Panama is historically a crossroads, people and cultures from all over the world meet and mix here, resulting in friendly atmosphere, fantastic restaurants, galleries and cultural events showcasing the world’s best art, cuisine, and more. Panama has none of the disastrous hurricanes and earthquakes that plague its Central American neighbors.
