the Panamanian Women's Center, the Center for Afro-Panamanian Studies and the Foundation of the Ethnicity of Colon.

Its purpose is to reveal to tourists, both foreign and national, the forms of art, music, gastronomy and fashion of African descendents.

Kayra Harding, the leader of the Afro Panamanian Women's Network, assured that “the AfroFestival 2012 will bring the country to assume regional leadership, by hosting an event that seeks to highlight the social image of African descendents in our society.”

The festival will present customs and traditions of the representatives of Colombia, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Honduras, Costa Rica, Cuba, Nicaragua and other countries in the Caribbean and South America.

The leaders of these countries are from organized civil society.

AfroFestival 2012 will have 60 guests in total, and the largest delegations will come from Honduras with 14 people, including Garifuna, whom represent the country's black community. Trinidad and Tobago will bring another 16 people.

Whereas Panama representation will come from African descent groups located in the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Colon, Darien and Panama.

POINT OF VIEW

For the general manager of the ATP, Ernesto Orillac, the festival represents an achievement for the culture of African descent.

“We hope that this festival is held every year and that it begins to position itself as a tourism product, since this type of activity enhances the Panamanian culture,” said the official.

He added that Panama has a biodiversity of cultures, which will be made known to the invited countries, especially the culture of African descent, for its cuisine, dances and customs.

The ATP has a strategy to promote cultural tourism, as well as conventions, that generate hotel occupancy and demand distinct types of tourist services, emphasized Orillac.