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The Tourism Authority of Panama is aware of the importance of the development of tourism within the interior of our country. They have launched campaign entitled, "Discover your Interior", which promotes this area of the country with affordable rates and support for destinations like Boquete, Pedasí, Veraguas, and many others that can be visited by local and foreign tourists alike. This program is designed to enhance and promote the beauty of the Panamanian interior.
The first destination to be promoted during this campaign was El Valle de Anton with a promotion entitled “Discover the Interior, Get Away to the Valley. This event, which will run until October, will boost the economy of the region, and provide affordable rates for visitors who wish to enjoy some of the beautiful destinations that Coclé Province has to offer.
The next destination included in this campaign is Bocas del Toro, with its Bocas Combo being one of the tourist destinations for both foreign and domestic visitors. This region of the country offers visitors a wide array of activities and locations to enjoy, including: beautiful natural environments, unique beaches perfect for sunbathing and surfing, wonderful food and islands that beckon you to come and escape. This campaign is the result of agreements between the ATP, the Bocas del Toro Chamber of Tourism, and Aeroperlas. It aims to help both Panamanian and foreign visitors enjoy this destination at affordable prices, with range of excellent hotels to choose from. With an expected operating period of five months, this incentive program offers accommodations at 20 different hotels with promotional prices from $240.00 per person, including roundtrip airfare, accommodations with breakfast, and taxes. The packages include two nights and three days with an option of up to 4 nights and 5 days, varying according to the time selected and the cost of the hotel. It also offers discounts of 15% at participating restaurants and tour operators.
As indicated by the slogan of this promotion“The Bocas has never been so close”, a single traveler needs only some time off and a booking to enjoy an excellent stay that includes guaranteed relaxation, a beautiful destination, comfortable atmosphere, friendly people, and a unique regional cuisine. The program will contribute, enhance and promote the efforts of private enterprise in this region to offer an affordable opportunity for all those wishing to visit The Bocas and improve the region's economy.
El presidente de la República, Ricardo Martinelli y la primera dama, Marta Linares de Martinelli, se reunieron –este jueves 21 de julio- con el actor y director norteamericano Mel Gibson, quien habló de su interés de apoyar a los niños panameños con problemas congénitos para que sean operados en hospitales de Estados Unidos.
Se informó que el actor –quien ha visitado el país en varias ocasiones- está muy entusiasmado con este proyecto de apoyar a Panamá con este tipo de operaciones que muchas veces no pueden ser costeadas por las familias de los niños afectados.
Mel Gibson, principal benefactor de la fundación Mending Kids International, adelantó que su equipo de trabajo sostendrá -a partir de este viernes 22 de julio- reuniones de seguimiento con el Despacho de la Primera Dama para coordinar cómo será el mecanismo de ayuda de los casos de niños que sean beneficiados con este programa.
En la reunión estuvieron presentes: el ministro de Salud, Franklin Vergara; el director de la Caja de Seguro Social, Guillermo Saez-Llorens y la Secretaria de Asuntos Sociales de la Presidencia, Dayra Fábrega.
El presidente de la República, Ricardo Martinelli y la primera dama, Marta Linares de Martinelli, se reunieron –este jueves 21 de julio- con el actor y director norteamericano Mel Gibson, quien habló de su interés de apoyar a los niños panameños con problemas congénitos para que sean operados en hospitales de Estados Unidos.
Se informó que el actor –quien ha visitado el país en varias ocasiones- está muy entusiasmado con este proyecto de apoyar a Panamá con este tipo de operaciones que muchas veces no pueden ser costeadas por las familias de los niños afectados.
Mel Gibson, principal benefactor de la fundación Mending Kids International, adelantó que su equipo de trabajo sostendrá -a partir de este viernes 22 de julio- reuniones de seguimiento con el Despacho de la Primera Dama para coordinar cómo será el mecanismo de ayuda de los casos de niños que sean beneficiados con este programa.
En la reunión estuvieron presentes: el ministro de Salud, Franklin Vergara; el director de la Caja de Seguro Social, Guillermo Saez-Llorens y la Secretaria de Asuntos Sociales de la Presidencia, Dayra Fábrega.
Fuente: Benicio González
Las Tablas is set to celebrate a feast renamed “Santa Librada” this year. There are many people who traditionally attend from Los Santos Province to pay respect and thanks for the miracle of the Virgin martyr.
Like every year, there are hundreds devotees who come to pay honor to Santa Librada. Each Holy garment means a miracle performed.
Devotion to the Saint has multiplied each year with activities including stories laced with messages on faith and dress-up clothing.
All Church and Tableña citizens wear their best clothes because there are thousands pilgrims and visitors who will come to the Festivities.
The story reflects the 4 images of Santa Librada, which include: Moñona, the Chola out in procession, the Pequeñita which is on the front of the Church and the Pilgrim who travels through the communities.
Santa Librada, is miraculous and on July 20 we celebrate his feast day in the city of Las Tablas.
Fuente: http://www.tvn-2.com
This is the only place in Kuna Yala that has access by land.
The closest airport is El Porvenir. The most populates islands on this area include: Carti Sugtup, Carti Tupile, Carti Yandup, Naranjo Grande, Naranjo Chico, among others.
This sector has become a good starting point, with good infrastructure, to travel to the rest of Kuna Yala.
On Carti Sugtup island there is a small museum where you can listen to Kuna Culture stories.
Our history is long, rich, full of wisdom and lessons for life. This allows us to lead our people properly to defend the motherland and nature. This wisdom is the legacy of great people, kuna men and women.
The community counts with public telephones, grocery stores, small canteens, bakeries, restaurants. Here you can eat continental meals and seafood.
This is the ideal place for buying kuna artcrafts, such as Molas, Chaquiras, etc.
Carti’s islands also offer traditional Kuna festivities and celebrations (Fiesta de la Chicha). These festivities generally last between 1 and 5 days. There is no exact date for them, but it usually happens between the months of December and March and in August. Also, in February the Gardi Sugdub community celebrates the anniversary of the Kuna Revolution with dramas and parties on all the island.
Fuente: Kimi Brown
Website: www.pecaritours.com
Over 849, 499 people visited Panama during the first five months of 2011, providing $ 769 million to the national economy.
This is an increase of 12%. The numbers of visitors that arrived through ports via cruise ships, through the border at Paso Canoas and through airports, provided an additional $69 million compared to same period last year.
These figures, according to the Panamanian Tourism Authority, should go a long way towards the ambitious goal of attracting more than 2 million tourists this year. Over $6 million has been set aside for international marketing campaigns to help reach this goal.
Despite these encouraging figures, many wonder if the proposed objective can actually be achieved by the end of 2011.
Experts in the tourism sector see this number as high, and although they recognize that it will be a difficult goal to achieve, they say that it is not impossible.
Annette Cárdenas, President of the Chamber of Tourism (CAMTUR), said that there was an increase in the number of people entering Panama, numbers which are being distributed amongst the new hotel facilities in the domestic market.
It was thought that the goal of reaching 2 million visitors was aggressive; however, it can be achieved through advertising, trade fairs and conventions which are thought to be significant factors in the early numbers this year.
He stated that an important factor was an increase in the number of seats available on flights coming into the country, on both new and existing routes.
"The number of rooms in hotels is already increasing and that, of course, is increasing in number of seats available to the tourists," he said.
Ernesto Orillac, Adviser to the ATP tour, said that the country is well on track to achieving the desired results.
He added that last year, tourist spending amounted to 2.5 trillion dollars and that, this year, the number is expected to grow to 2.7 trillion dollars.
He indicated that factors such as an increase in the number of congresses and conventions, aided by the global campaign, agreements with airlines, and direct charters to South America, as well as the growth in European visitors, expansion, and the improvement in the American economy will all help to achieve the objectives.
He added that negotiations for conferences and conventions between July and October, and events with large numbers of passengers, owe much to Panama’s position.
He indicated that, during September, an activity addressing climate change, which will bring together some 5 thousand people, will precede a conference which will be held in Kyoto, Japan.
The Expoturismo fair should also be noted as a key event.
Fuente: PAdigital.com.pa
Autor: Diamar Díaz Nieto
