OFF THE CUFF: Colon turf war hits tourists

A LOCAL TURF  war  between tourism operators  hit hundreds of tourists at   the Colón 2000 Cruise Port on Friday morning, October 1.

Drivers from one company  blocked the exit to the facility to prevent  vehicles of another company from leaving.

Jair Cordero, of the Colon Tour Group, said the action was taken because the rival drivers are from outside of Colón.

In his view, this type of situation does not occur at any other airport or port of the country.

Meanwhile, Alexander Parker, of Two Ocean Tour Group, directly accused Colón Chamber of Transport President Gilberto Soto of being responsible for the protest.

Tansport authority (ATTT) official Carlos Daly took his cue from Shakespeare and declared  a plague  on both their houses  and sent  tourists to transportation provided by the port administration.

He said that neither company will be allowed to transport tourists until they resolve their differences.

According to information from the Panama Tourism Authority, some 400,000 cruise visitors are expected this coming season.

Some may face rough waters before they board.