Bill 331.

Summary.

The bill proposes to promote sports tourism through events, investment in facilities, and the integration of sport with ecotourism and the culture of the Republic of Panama. It would cover urban and rural activities, including those on coastlines, beaches, mountains, parks, protected areas, and in Indigenous communities. It defines sports tourism circuits and circles, host communities, destinations, and types of sporting events. For terms outside its glossary, it refers to those endorsed by the World Tourism Organization (Organización Mundial del Turismo). Its objectives include environmental education, conservation, institutional coordination, training, and municipal revenue generation.

The Panamanian Sports Institute (Instituto Panameño de Deportes) would plan and implement sports tourism policies with support from the Panama Tourism Authority (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá), municipalities, and other local authorities. Its technical team would identify potential circuits, conduct inspections, assess applications, prepare feasibility studies, and review certified circuits. Local participants could form sports tourism circles to coordinate services across municipalities. Owners, holders of possessory rights recognized by the National Land Administration Authority (Autoridad Nacional de Administración de Tierras), and municipalities could apply to register potentially suitable property. Applications would require proof of rights, a site plan, photographs, location details, public access, visitor space, and basic services. Certification would require technical assessment, compliance with recommendations, documentation, and participation in three annual training sessions when available; it would remain valid for five (5) years and be renewable.

For certified properties or those with established circuits, the bill provides for technical assistance, training, preferential financing through state banks, access to possible multilateral funds, trusts, promotion, and other benefits. It refers to incentives under Law 80 of 2012 and to the participation of the National Institute for Professional Training and Human Development (Instituto Nacional de Formación Profesional y Capacitación para el Desarrollo Humano), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas), the Ministry of Environment (Ministerio de Ambiente), and the Tourism Promotion Fund (Fondo de Promoción Turística). The international funding sources named include the Inter-American Development Bank (Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Banco Internacional de Reconstrucción y Fomento), the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe), and the European Investment Bank (Banco Europeo de Inversiones). The bill would also promote international events, rural and Indigenous activities, and annual events in provincial seat districts. It creates the National Sports Tourism Fund (Fondo Nacional de Turismo Deportivo) to finance promotion, support community events, and run campaigns. The Tourism Promotion Fund would administer its resources through a separate trust under Law 9 of 2017, as amended by Law 58 of 2018.

Circuits would have to display their certification, publish activities and prices, honor advertised services, and explain safety rules. They would also keep a map, maintenance plan, opinion survey, and visitor register. Their operators would apply environmental conservation measures, use trained staff, and comply with labor rules overseen by the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral). Fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, contingency and evacuation plans, hazard signs, and rules for bodies of water would be required. Food and accommodation services would be subject to hygiene requirements and authorization from the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud); leases would be registered with the National Tourism Registry (Registro Nacional de Turismo). Access would be adapted for people with reduced mobility under Law 42 of 1999.

The Panamanian Sports Institute would oversee compliance and impose warnings, temporary suspension, or cancellation of certification according to the violation. Cancellation would be ordered by a resolution of the administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority and could be challenged through reconsideration within five business days, without appeal. The bill declares sports tourism an activity of public interest, calls for implementing regulations no later than six months after promulgation, and provides for entry into force six months after promulgation. Its provisions would concern sports, tourism, environmental, health, and municipal authorities, along with host communities, event organizers, tourism operators, accommodation providers, financial institutions, and visitors.