Before a large audience made up of representatives of the maritime and tourism sectors, diplomats and members of the Government team, President Cortizo Cohen said that this megaproject contributes to the purpose of perfecting Panama's position as the country with the best maritime and air connectivity in the Americas. Latin America and the Caribbean, which constitutes an insurmountable competitive advantage in favor of the economic and human development of the country.
Despite the effects of the pandemic on government income, we are today carrying out activity 788 in 57 months of management and delivering this modern cruise port, the first in the Panamanian Pacific.
He indicated that the new cruise port, strategically located at the entrance to the Panama Canal, operates under the concept of “home port”; That is, a base port where passengers are rotated and changed, thereby increasing the competitive advantages of Panama as the “hub of hubs” of the Americas.
He explained that this 88-hectare work is an integral part of the Amador Development Plan, created to boost the economy of the sector by taking advantage of the country's strategic geographical location and the conditions and natural beauty of the road.
Meanwhile, Noriel Araúz, administrator of the Maritime Authority of Panama (AMP), said that with the cruise port Panama reaches another historical milestone that reaffirms it as a maritime country par excellence, and that also positions it as the Latin American country with the most important and emblematic cruise port in the region.
He thanked President Cortizo Cohen for considering this project as a priority for the country and bringing it to a successful conclusion, and the Cruceros del Pacífico Consortium and the AMP Projects Unit for turning the mega-project into a reality.
With this work, Panama will become a powerhouse in cruise tourism in the region in the short term, added the administrator of the AMP.
Meanwhile, the administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), Denise Guillén, highlighted that so far this year, 17 “home port” operations have already been carried out from here, with the arrival of more than 23 thousand tourists. , of which more than half made tours within the country, representing an impact on tourism.
He indicated that this Terminal becomes the preferred proposal for thousands of visitors for which Panama Lives for More.
The new facilities, equipped with modern and high tourist and customs standards, will be able to offer attention to cruise ships with a maximum capacity of 5 thousand passengers, which will have the opportunity to take advantage of Panama's commercial and tourist offers and impact hotel activity, restaurants, shopping centers. , transporters, tourism operators, artisans, among other sectors of the local economy.
It will have various amenities, natural reserve areas, large parking lots, shops, restaurants and high technology for the enjoyment of tourists and terminal users.
The new port also contributes to boosting activities related to the supply of provisions and other multiple services required by ships that dock at its docks.
Source: Panama Tourism Authority.