The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, sanctioned the law that regulates and establishes measures to promote agrotourism activity in Panama, during a ceremony held at the Alternative Farm in Coclesito.
The law, which is signed by the Minister of Agricultural Development (MIDA), Augusto Valderrama, aims to promote agrotourism within rural tourism as an alternative for the sustainable development of the agricultural productive sector, so that both tourists and visitors can have an authentic experience of internalization of production processes, of contact with customs and traditions and of exploration of native nature in a healthy, safe and quality way. "In our Sustainable Tourism Master Plan, agrotourism is recognized as an activity of high strategic priority for tourism and economic development," said President Cortizo Cohen.
He stressed that tourist activity creates a cross-cutting economy that benefits other sectors and, as such, is an effective tool to combat poverty by creating new jobs and alternative sources of income.
"Agritourism creates a win-win situation because, on the one hand, there is a growing market of travelers seeking experiences for their personal growth that include contact with nature, with the rural environment, agriculture, livestock and authentic traditions," he added.
He indicated that, for the government committed to fighting poverty and inequality, community tourism is an important part of the Colmena Plan, focused on improving the quality of life of Panamanians and Panamanians in the 300 most vulnerable townships.
For his part, Minister Valderrama pointed out that there are currently 70 agrotourism farms and there are more than 150 applications, which shows the thrust of this activity.
Deputy Corina Cano, proponent of the law, said that it is a historic day for agrotourism activity, which sees in this regulation an opportunity for new income.
10/5/2021 9:52:49 PM