Development and Application of a Standard Classification System for the Hotel and Lodging Industry in the Republic of Panama

Abstract

Currently, Panama is undergoing a time of expansion in the hotel industry. This noticeable development of lodging institutions is being done in a relatively improvisational, rather uncontrolled manner, at least compared to our regional and global rivals. Governments abroad have begun the process of standardizing their hotel services, while Panama has lagged and left behind. For this project, we have chosen to create the system with which we can standardize Panama’s lodging services and institution under a single, objective system of classification. We have achieved this by means of using standards chosen by taking Panama’s unique conditions in mind, and through numerous samples and testing trials with several local hotels. We also present evidence that this standardization system is a requirement for advancing Panama’s hotel industry, and that as things stand, Panama remains hopelessly outgunned by its regional competitors. Through our research, we have concluded that the creation and implementation of this hotel classification system is an effective way to improve Panama’s hotel industry. Therefore, its implementation would be a logical and reasonable first step towards driving Panama’s hotels to a new level of competitiveness locally, regionally, and internationally.