Panama launches “Sustainable Tourist Development Master Plan of Panama 2007 – 2020”

The Panamanian Institute of Tourism IPAT confirmed officially the beginning of the “Sustainable Tourist Development Master Plan of Panama 2007 – 2020” with the presentation of the Spanish company Tourism & Leisure (EuroPraxis Consulting), a consulting company which has been awarded the contract to develop the 20 year tourism plan.

The new Master Plan will be handled from an own permanent office, which will supervise the implementation and assure continuousness. New laws have been passed to organize the activities and to define the parameters. “With each government you loose knowledge and competency. Therefore the new office will evaluate the Master Plan always with the same involved persons. With all the information we have, we can ensure the success of the “Sustainable Tourist Development Master Plan of Panama 2007 – 2020” affirmed the Minister of Tourism of Panama, Rubén Blades.

A follow-up commission for the new “Sustainable Tourist Development Master Plan of Panama 2007 – 2020”, built out of public and private organizations like the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the National Environment Authority ANAM, the Ministry of Housing Policy MIVI, the Panamanian Chamber of Tourism CAMTUR, tourism operators and Airlines together with the IPAT, will be integrated in the process with the objective of controlling the compliance of regulations.

The participation of the United Nations World Tourism Organization UNWTO in the designing and structuring of the Tourism Master Plan is significant. At the presentation, the expert Raúl Jaramillo from the UNWTO annotated the dependence of tourism and infrastructure. The connection depends on the networks: transport, airlines, cruisers, et cetera. In addition he explained that major touristic decisions must be taken not only for occasional points but for a whole region. In other words it’s important to be aware of and respond to the strategies of the Caribbean and to work together.

“Not only experts are able to design a good strategy plan. We all know that you have to present the most prestigious and unique material, your unique selling propositions. You have to present your most valuable touristic products and the parts of the country with the highest quality”, said Raúl Jaramillo, expert of the UNWTO.

The touristic development of Panama is headed by international consultants who will cover the areas marketing, infrastructure, sociology, architecture and territorial order.

The first step of the “Sustainable Tourist Development Master Plan of Panama 2007 – 2020” is the review and the revision of the touristic classification of the Panamanian land area. “Tourism works with a pretty fundamental material: territory. If tourists aren’t inspired by the touristic territory, you failed” explained Juan Manuel Ribera, International Director of the Master Plan.

The Minister of Tourism, Rubén Blades, announced that right now they are going about important subjects for Panama City, like the pedestrian area for tourists, the tramcar which will connect the Gehry Museum with the Docks of the costal shipping wherefrom you can travel to Las Perlas, Taboga and Contadora Isle.

With the implementation of this new Master Plan, action and inversion plans for the development of the different touristic products will be designed, statistics of the sector of tourism will be readjusted, a strategy of promotion and international commercialization will be generated and a national long term strategy will be elaborated.

“All the governmental authorities are working together. This is the moment to clear the air by identifying the subjects and pushing them forward”, stated Rubén Blades, Minister of Tourism.

Panama - Paradise of living colors

Nature and ecotourism

The word “Panama” has pre-Columbian roots and signifies “richness of fishes, trees and butterflies”. Panama’s rich biodiversity is a result of its unique geographic constitution and its position which creates an intersection of the Americas and thousands of species of flora and fauna. The country offers natural attractions like beaches, lakes, wilderness and forests populated with all kinds of aquatic and terrestrial wild life. Approximately 33% of the landmass is protected by 15 national parks, seven forestal reservations and various protected wild life habits.

Flora in its highest brightness

The worldwide flora consists of more than 30.000 species and in Panama you can find more than 35% of it. In the different areas flourish rangy flowers, moss, lichens, algae and fungi; in great parts wild and endemic. There also grow 678 species de fern and a variety of 1.500 trees across the country.

Birds and butterflies are painting the Panamanian sky

Besides of the migrant birds Panama habitats 967 species of birds. In the highlands of the province Chiriquí you can face the beautiful quetzals and in the wilderness of Darién you can visit the Águila Arpía, the national bird. The national monument of Barro Colorado is a wild life habit used like national laboratory for the Smithsonian Institute. Panama offers 20 of the 27 living species of the avifauna worldwide and 1.500 species of mariposas.

Close to the coast are hundreds of isles and protected coral reef communities. Its remote location offers a perfect place for species in danger of extinction. Between May and September four species of sea turtles lay their eggs at the beaches of the National Park Marino Isla Batimentos.

In the archipelago of Bocas del Toro a lot of migrant birds, depending on the season, recuperate from their exhausting trip. At times up to 50 different bird species can be found on the isles.

In the south of Bocas del Toro, en the province of Chiriquí, you can find the International Park of Friendship (PILA). This park has been declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO for its great importance for the preservation of the biodiversity, not only for Panama, also for the whole continent. The park offers one of the largest numbers of big animal species like jaguars and a great variety of birds. The clammy tropical forests are the last primeval forests of Central America and own 7 of the 12 zones of life that are necessary for the maintenance of the principal terrestrial ecosystems.

The great eco-touristic variety and accessibility of the Panamanian attractions have converted the country in a primordial destination for nature enthusiasts. Expeditions take tourists to experience the boundless biodiversity and beauty of the fauna and flora like all the other touristic attractions.

The Panama Canal, a terrific creation of the human esprit

The Pamama Canal, one of the miracles of the modern world has been terminated in 1924 by the government of the United States and at the 31.12. 1999 assigned to the absolute control of Panama due to the contracts Torrijos-Carterat. The Canal of Panama has a length of 54 miles, from Colón in the Caribbean till Panama in the Pacific.

A ship needs an average of 8 to 10 hours to transit the canal. While doing so, the ships escalade or descend 26 meters through the watergates of Gatún, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores. The construction of the canal required ten years and 75.000 men and women and had a cost of 400 million US-Dollars. The canal opened its gates for the sea-traffic the 15 of august 1914. Till today, 700 millions of ships have crossed the canal.

Today Panama stands out for its nature, ample fishing, countless beaches, more than thousand of paradisiacal isles in its archipelagos and for its people, friendly, hilarious and hospitable. This magic that banished so many adventurers for more than 500 years, it’s still out there waiting for you.

Adventure and sportive tourism

For all of those who have an adventurous spirit or like the sportive tourism, Panama offers an experience unforgettable to you. In Panama you can find expeditions to hardly explored areas and discover a new world full of natural and exotic beauty. Rediscover the same wilderness and forests which has been discovered by the conquistadores 500 years ago, visit mysterious caves with its stalagmites and stalactites or just marvel during the excursions at the cascades and the surprising characteristic landscape of this tropical paradise. Visit the wilderness in a different way from the impressive altitude of the trees up to 66m and enjoy a panorama totally different.

If the green of the golf courts is your sportive predilection, Panama offers the best golf courts in Central America including the only computerized GPS system of Latin America. You can choose between courts close to Panama City at the Canal or courts near the beach.

The Panama's seas, privileged place for water sports

Panama is the perfect place for a lot of aquatic activities like fishing, rafting, diving, snorkeling and surfing. There are five worldwide respected diving areas including the Bocas del Toro, the Coiba Isle, the Isle Grande and the Panama Canal for archaeological and historic diving. The maritime National Park Isla Bastimentos in the province of Bocas del Tore is the first maritime park of the country and includes parts of the Isle Bastimentos and the Isles Zapatillas. Its 13.226 hectares build one of Panamas most beautiful and important marine habitats. The reefs, swamplands, protected beaches for animal observation and the lagoons in the south of the coastal area are very important for the surviving of the precious marine species.

Its remote distance offer sin the Caribbean a perfect conservation for species in danger of extinction. Between March and September four sea turtle species spawn in these beaches. You also can practice kayaking and tubing. The high water content rivers of the national parks Chagres or Volcán Barú have difficult degrees 3 and 4 of the international classification. This sportive adventure guides you through a watery tropical wilderness. If you are looking for good spots to surf, check out the great beaches of Punta Puss Head, Paunch, Bluff in the Caribbean, Bluff in Bocas del Toro, Venao in Los Santos and finally Santa Catalina in Veraguas.

Lake Alajuela is famous for its fishing and other water activities like Water Ski, Jet Ski, Veleros and swimming. Panama also offers excellent fishing in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, but also in the lakes Gatún and Bahía Piña, lakes which hold about 170 fishing records worldwide.

For this and a lot more Panama is the number one for nature enthusiasts, lovers of activities like fishing and sports and those who only want to enjoy a recreative and unforgettable stay which fulfills all of your sportive and adventurous wishes.

Tourism Police in Veraguas receives Recognition

Armbands were given to the Tourism Police units in Veraguas in recognition to the effort and faithful commitment they daily show at their place of duty. This, following the training imparted by the Panama Tourism Bureau (IPAT) and the Tourism Police. “The logistical and moral support we receive from IPAT´S Regional Office at Veraguas, encourages us to continue developing a better future for these lands surrounded by rich green waters", said Ms. Lourdes López, Regional Administrator of Veraguas. The work of these collaborators does not end here; since a few weeks ago, the third Regional Tourism Course was held in order to provide an additional 25 units the opportunity to contribute strengthening the security within this region.

Panama's Promotion Campaign to be disclosed soon

Everything is almost ready. The efforts and strategy that will place Panama as the number one tourist destination of excellence will be disclosed shortly. This, with the soon launching of the new Panama International Promotion Campaign during November. “This has involved several months of planning and creation. The month of October was fully devoted to filming commercials, all of which include lots of humor, ultramodern trends and the warmth of the Panamanian people", Tourism Minister, Ruben Blades, said. These commercials with the Panamanian seal, will endeavor to take the country to conquer target markets, which is where IPAT’s Marketing and Communication Strategy is aimed at. Worldwide-known, Panamanian personalities were included in these commercials. Some of them are: Rubén Blades; Justine Pasek; Mariano Rivera; Roberto “Mano de Piedra” Durán; Irving Saladino; and Laffit Pincay.


Edwin Mon, VP General Creative Director of P4 Ogilvy; Rubén Blades, Minister of Tourism; Simón Bross, Production Director and Eduardo Martínez Solares, Director of Photography.

Panama out to conquer the european market

Negotiations and alliances are being consolidated to respond to the current European tourist demand for Panama.

The recent news of the renewal of flights of KLM Airlines is only the successful beginning of a long chain of strategies currently being implemented by the Panama Tourism Bureau to respond to the European market’s significant current demand. With non-stop flights from Schilpol – Amsterdam to Tocumen Airport in Panama, starting on March 30, 2008, KLM will answer the needs of important markets in Europe. “We are aware that the opening of new air transportation frequencies are of vital importance and are one of the objectives clearly defined by IPAT; therefore, the agreement with KLM is an important step”, said Carl- Fredrik Nordström, Deputy General Manager of Panama Toursim Bureau (IPAT). Considering the advertising investment in the European market, IPAT is clearly aware that Panama has attracted the attention of important niches in Europe and having the necessary airline seats will guarantee the arrival of these tourists. Efforts continue to produce results, following the signing of a valuable shared code agreement between KLM and COPA Airlines, which will allow the users of both airlines to travel by using the extensive network of routes offered by COPA and KLM; one in Panama, the Hub of the Americas and the other in Schilpol, Amsterdam. In addition, all members of the Flying Blue and One Pass programs will have the opportunity to accumulate valuable mileage on their trips. According to statistics, an estimated 87,356 European visitors come to Panama annually and their average expenditures range between 650 and 700 dollars

Canal Expansion to count on European Investment

A cooperation agreement was signed, whereby the EU will donate to Panama 38 million Euros (54 million dollars) between 2007 and 2013.

In a recent diplomatic visit of the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs and Community Policy of the European Union and executives from the European Investment Bank, it was announced that an investment of 428 million dollars (300 million Euros) will be made in the Panama Canal Expansion works. The bank executives, who have already financed other local projects such as the Puente Centenario, expressed their firm interest in participating in the expansion. Given this situation, Carl- Fredrik Nordström, Deputy General Manager of the Panama Tourism Bureau (IPAT), said that “in the past months, a significant number of delegations from all over the world have shown their interest and have come to our country attracted by the impact of the expansion of the interoceanic waterway will have on maritime trade and the international economy, we trust that this boom will also be reflected in the tourism sector”. In their visit to Panama, the EU representatives presented a new program of cooperation and participation of Panama in the negotiations between the EU and Central America. Likewise, a cooperation agreement was signed whereby the EU will donate to Panama 38 million Euros (54 million dollars) between 2007 and 2013.

Panama Canal hits new record marks

• Recording to statistics of the Authority of the Panama Canal (ACP), the fiscal year 2007 closed with a total of 312.758.530 tons PC/ UMS (Panama Canal / Universal Measurement System), which means an increase of 5% compared to the registered tons of the fiscal year 2006.

• The Panama Canal, 93 years in use, realizes ongoing improvements on their existing structures and processes to attend the growing demand with the aim to generate a maximum degree of benefits for the Panamanians.

• At the end of the fiscal year 2007, the total of the transits is 14.721 ships, which signify an increase of 3,7% compared to the 14.194 transits reported in 2006.

• In its last mess of the fiscal year 2007, which includes the 30^th of September, the ACP also registered other records like the transit in one single day (19^th of September) with 43 ships carrying 1.113.682 tons PC/UMS, which beated the old record of 1.072.353 tons (6^th of march 2007).

• The same 19^th of September, another records has been marked: in one single day 25 ships of the Panamax-class, with a broadness of more than 30 m each, crossed the Panama Canal, which beated the old record of 24 ships (July 2006)

Season of the Cruisers

• The cruiser season in Panama is from October to May.

• The cruiser season 2007/2008 will bring about 450.000 tourists and crew-members on board of approximately 235 ships which signify an income of about US-$ 47 million

• The predictions for this eighth season ending in March 2008 base on the port-bookings of the luxury cruisers at the cruiser ports of Panama like Colón 2000 and Cristóbal in the Caribbean Sea and Fuerte Amador and Marina in the Pacific.

• The cruiser port Fuerte Amador is expecting the arrival of 35 ships with tourists whereas the port Cristobal expects 115 cruisers and the pacific ports 190 ships.

• In December 2008 the port Colón 2000 will be the home port of the cruiser company “Royal Caribbean”.

• Carnival, Celebrity, Holland, Princess and Royal Caribbean are the main users of the cruiser ports de Panama.