Panama picked to host SITE Global Conference 2016

THE annual SITE Global Conference will head to Panama in 2016 where it will be held at the Westin Playa Bonita from November 4 to 6.

Rajeev Kohli, president-elect of SITE 2015, said: “Panama made a presentation in the US that impressed all the board members. Stakeholders of Panama’s travel and tourism sector across verticals including the NTO, DMCs and airline were there. We are confident that the conference will offer our members an opportunity to explore a beautiful part of Latin America.”

Kohli pointed out that SITE conferences have always benefitted the tourism industry of host cities.

“I don’t know any other association that can change a local industry and leave a footprint like SITE. We hope that the 2016 conference in Panama will open that part of the world globally,” he added.

There are about 25 members of SITE in Panama and a local chapter is in the process of being formed.

Prime incentive markets for Panama include the US and Canada, shared Kohli.

“Panama is still a relatively new destination for most of the incentive markets, even for the US. It is important that we host an event like the SITE Global Conference. A large number of SITE membership is from the US so the conference is definitely going to increase incentive business from (the market),” commented Gabriela Herrera, director, international group sales, The Westin Playa Bonita, Panama.

“People know about Costa Rica which is our neighbour but Panama still needs to be put in the minds of people. Because of good connectivity provided by airlines like Emirates and Lufthansa, we should also be able to get business from longhaul markets like India as a result of the conference,” she added.

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