Cinema has become an important global industry and is generating huge sources of revenue. Exorbitant productions are now being featured in cinemas in all corners of the world. Film productions use global locations to bring together luminaries of the silver screen, and present their achievements various festivals which show the very best of each one of these cinematic visions.

 

Our country has been used as a location where many scenes in renowned movies have been filmed. We are now transcending the market and becoming a place that brings together the biggest stars, producers and creative minds from the world of cinema by being selected for the location of one of these esteemed festivals, with the official announcement of the Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama).

 

This event is scheduled to be held in April of next year. It will receive dozens of stars from the cinema world, and feature premier productions integrated into an atmosphere of celebration which will be shared with our people, throughout the entire national territory.

 

In an unprecedented effort, the National Government, represented by the Ministers of Commerce and Industries, Roberto Henriquez and Tourism, Solomon Shamah, will provide an important contribution to Panamanian cultural with support for the implementation of the IFF in our country.

 

As a preamble, the IFF organization has announced that Panama will see a significant presence at one of the World’s most important film festivals: the Toronto International Film Festival.  A ceremony is being organized at the Canadian festival that will showcase the most representative Panamanian artists. There will also be a presentation which will reveal Panama’s graces to more than 1,400 international journalists and stars, from every corner of the globe. It will provide an opportunity to showcase and disseminate all of the artistic talent we have today.

 

Minister Shamah said that this preliminary event, to be held in September, will be an excellent opportunity for Panamanians to draw the attention of the cinema world, and also to demonstrate the many tourist attractions which will undoubtedly draw new visitors to the country.

Minister Henríquez noted that, in addition to the activities and efforts undertaken by Panama to promote local industry to the outside world, an international film market, which can show various locations and national talents to the world’s most renowned directors and producers, will be established.

 

It is anticipated that IFF Panama, which has a creative Advisory Board headed by Panamanian filmmakers and local entertainers, including: Pituka Ortega Heilbron, Abner Benaim and Luis Pacheco, will gather from April, 11^th to the 18^th  of next year. The IFF Panama Board of Directors will also have the participation of world renowned Panamanian actor and songwriter, Ruben Blades.

 

To ensure the success of this prestigious global event, a Government team has formed which collaborates with Canadian producers Henk Van der Kolk and Rob Brown, in the development of all events.

 

They are also seeking to create an international film school that allows for the composition of a complete film market. One in which directors, actors, producers, and technicians can find employment opportunities on films looking to use Panama as a location. Such a reality would benefit many of the Panamanian professionals within this important industry.

Agents and travelers from the capital city visited several agricultural farms in Herrera Province where they participated in horseback rides, cart rides and experienced the many opportunities afforded to visitors of this region.

 

Hoteliers and travel agents were thrilled with the route. They visited three estates in OCU District, two in Parita and another two in Chitre, where they experienced fields of exotic fruits being farmed, a beautiful Lake where tourists can stroll, and multitudes of boating and water sports.

 

The attractions on the farms include many rural activities every day, for example: manual milking, honey production, and the harvesting of exotic fruits like guavas, cherry, banana, papaya and many others that are normally produced and exported by national and international companies.

 

"What we want is to make contact, first, with the environment that develops the estates and its attractions, and with both hoteliers and tour operators who will promote the region and make it known to tourists that there are options like these agro-tour farms in Panama," explained Ricardo Correa, director of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) and Regent of the Agro-Tour Project Institution.

 

Furthermore, it was not only the invited guests who were fascinated by their visits to the farms, but also many locals, who admired the attractions as well.

 

 

During the first five months of the year, 840,000 tourists visited the country, an increase of 89,000 over the same period in 2010. 

Approximately 840,499 tourists arrived in Panama during the first five months of 2011. This is an increase of 89,091 visitors when compared with the same period in 2010.

Visitors are growing at a rate of 11%, the majority are arriving from; Canada and United States (30%); Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico (60%) and considerable increases from Argentina, Peru, Brazil and Ecuador. A smaller percentage are arriving from Asia and Europe (10%), explained Ernesto Orillac, Spokesman for the Panamanian Tourism Authority (ATP).

However, owners of small hotels and boarding houses have yet to be able to benefit from the growing tourism numbers because most of these visits are concentrated in the City of Panama itself due to a lack of promotion for other tourist destinations in the interior of the country, complained Armando Rodríguez, President of the Association of Panamanian Small Hotels (Hoppan).

“The occupation rates in smaller hotels sits around 40% at best, except during regional holidays or when special events take place,” said Rodriguez.

He noted that 90% of the outreach effort targets international promotions. Between 2010 and 2011 there has been an advertisement investment of $13.5 million.

Due to concern for small hotel operators in the interior of the Republic, Orillac suggested that Government campaigns will strive to encourage domestic tourism.

They have announced campaigns such as 'Get Away to the Valley', 'Bocas Combo' and 'Chiriqui has it All’ (this will not only include Boquete, but also David, Volcán, Boca Chica and Las Lajas).

According to the ATP, there were about 7,475 rooms registered in the Provinces during January in order to meet the expected demand

 

Fuente: El Siglo