El Niño begins to affect Veraguas tourism

The El Niño phenomenon is beginning to affect the tourism sector in Panama's Veraguas province. Reduced rainfall and shifts in the behavior of local wildlife, which are major attractions for visitors, are causing concern.

Angelo Solanilla, a tourism developer, explained that while decreased rainfall might benefit activities such as hiking and river visits, it presents challenges for other segments. "It rains less every day; in sport fishing, the fish seek deeper waters away from the shore, which affects the artisanal fishing sector," he stated. Solanilla also pointed out that the arrival of whales, a significant draw for tourists, was delayed by approximately three weeks this season, impacting tourism at its start.

This situation is worrying for a sector that had seen growth in the first half of the year. Data from the Tourism Authority of Panama shows over 1.7 million people visited the country during that period, generating about $3.5 billion. Despite the potential effects of the climate phenomenon, business owners remain optimistic that tourism can be sustained. "It's a cyclical natural phenomenon that occurs from time to time, so we have to be a little patient for the rainy season to arrive and affect us as little as possible," Solanilla said.

Solanilla added that Veraguas offers a diverse range of tourist attractions suitable for visitors regardless of weather conditions. He acknowledged, however, that climate variations can influence seasonal results. The report includes information from Ney Castillo.