The Panamanian city of Portobelo is looking to expand its existing tourism offering as part of Panama’s “Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism.” Projects include the education and training of tour guides and the rehabilitation of the historic centre. This master plan reactivates the country’s tourism, conservation and Research (TCR) strategy applied over 20 years ago by the ecologist Dr. Hana Ayala and aims to reduce the social inequality gap and safeguard the UNESCO site.
The pandemic offers the unique opportunity to reflect on the reality behind our exotic vacations and break the cycle of exploitation. Central to this would be an overhauling of labour systems, the introduction of labour and cultural sovereignty and measures to protect host communities from the results of a “vaccine apartheid”.
In this interview, Elizaveta Ragozina talks with the co-founder of G-Guides Academy to find out more about this international learning platform for modern tour guides. The training academy empowers students from around the world to become the voice of their destination and ambassadors for sustainable development.
Stopping tourism leakage requires long-term strategic goals and new success metrics. It also requires a holistic approach that focuses on niche markets, supports local businesses and workers, and protects destinations’ unique social and natural assets.
While tourism is on pause, there has been much discussion about how we can improve the sector from an environmental and overcrowding standpoint. But we also need to improve it for local people by respecting them and their culture and ensuring they have equal access to the infrastructure and economic opportunities that tourism can bring.
