Jessica Velázquez has directed Forestour since the year 2000.

The mountains of the province of Chiriquí, especially the region surrounding Boquete, has acted as a strong magnet, attracting foreign retirees in recent years. Offering year-round cool weather and an array of gated, suburban communities of all sizes, the region has placed Panama as one of the top retirement destinations in the world in less than a decade. But, what happens to the rest of the country?

That’s the question FORESTOUR, a local real estate/relocation company seeks to answer. Headed by Jessica Velásquez and her husband Enoc, the company’s main goal is "to promote Panama in its entirety, preparing custom-made packages for every budget or need."

Forestour was established six years ago offering reforestation/vacation packages to foreign investors. However, with the current boom of new residents, the company changed focus two years ago. Putting their cultural know-how into action (Jessica has lived in Canada and the U.S. for many years and therefore "speaks the cultural language" of clients from both countries) the Velázquez’ now act as purchasing agents, offering personalized tours for potential, real-estate investors.

Mrs. Velázquez (third from left to right), with the team of Forestour.

"If a client has never been in Panama before, we prepare a comprehensive package of tours and lectures in accordance to his or her profile. If he or she is specifically looking for mountain or beach properties, we take them to see as many projects as possible according to their standards," said Mrs. Velázquez, an interior décor expert with more than 15 years in the real estate business.

The Velázquez are aware that many of their clients are beginning consider other parts of the country as alternatives for retirement or investment. This is one of the main reasons Forestour, along with nine other companies, created the "Coclé, your Best Destination" cluster –an organization that seeks to promote the region as a recognizable destination, both in Panama and abroad.

She said: "Approximately 50% of expats in Panama choose the Chiriquí highlands. About 40% decide to retire in the province of Panama and the remaining 10% choose to settle down or purchase property elsewhere. However, very few places in Panama offer so much diversity as the province of Coclé. It is only an hour and-a-half from the metropolitan area and offers beach resorts, golf, coastal gated communities, farms and mountain developments, especially in El Valle. In very few places you can enjoy cool mountain weather and travel to a sunny beach in only half hour."

Mrs. Velázquez, who currently serves as the cluster’s president, said that the group is about to launch its official website as well as an aggressive marketing campaign which includes the placement of road signs and maps, as well as the group’s participation in major international tourist fairs.

For more information on tour packages and Coclé, call: (507) 360-2262.

A new law (No. 58 of December 28, 2006) offering incentives for investors building, furnishing or remodelling lodging facilities outside the "tourist zones" identified by the Panama Tourist Board (IPAT) was recently signed by President Martín Torrijos.

The law establishes, among other things, attractive tax excemptions for a minimum investment of US$3 million in the greater Panama City area, including excemptions on the import of material and equipment, the import of vehicles for the tourist development, and a 20-year excemption of property taxes.

Outside of the metropolitan area, the minimum investment is US$50,000.

Although IPAT has identified 10 tourist zones in Panama, there are many areas of great potential beyond such areas, including Native American comarcas, mountainous regions and islands.

The new law is expected to draw more foreign investors to Panama as the country becomes a popular haven for expats from Europe and North America. This is the first time a major piece of legislation prividing incentives in the tourism industry is passed in Panama since Law No. 8 of 1994, which expired on December 31, 2005.

By Lic. Delia Morales C.

The Gnobe-Buglé Native American nation is about to launch its first tourist project. It is called "Destino Besiko" and includes the construction of a lodge in the rural community of Soloy, in the Gnobe-Buglé comarca, some 450 km. West of Panama City.

The project is the brainchild of Creative Associative Organization, Inc., a non-profit entity which will donate the funds, offer training and later hand over the management of the facility to a group of members of the community.

The new tourist development will create employment opportunities for the Ngobe Bugle.

Nestled in the green forests of western Panama, the project will offer visitors an opportunity to discover the traditions of an ancient people through lectures, horseback tours through the Central Cordillera, indigenous food and folklore dances. The lodge will also offer activities, such as white water river rafting and birdwatching.

Construction starts this month, although a series of tours are already being offered. The project has been envisioned as a way to reduce high poverty levels in the area, as proceeds from the lodge will be used in a number of educational programs.

Naguas, the female attire of the Ngöbe Buglé.

Chaquiras: hand-made necklaces made with plastic beads of the Ngöbe Buglé.

Box: Getting to know the Ngobe-Buglé:

The Ngöbe Buglé Formerly know as the Guaymie, the Ngöbe Buglé inhabit the highlands of Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí and the arid plains of Veraguas. Women wear gowns of bright colors sewn in geometric shapes while mens dress is basically modern. However, during their ceremonies of balseria, where the strongest triumph, they will dress themselves with exotic bird feathers and paint their faces with geometric shapes, usually black, white and red. They live in huts near rivers or in valleys. The Ngöbe Buglé fish, hunt, raise dogs, cattle, chickens and pigs. Some of their more famous items are chaquiras, bead neckalces of geometric designs and bold colors. The Ngöbe Buglé impose severe punishments for adultery and celebrate a number of annual ceremonies. According to the 2000 Panamanian census, there is a total of 110,080 Ngöbe Buglé Indians in Panama, representing 63.6% of the country's indigenous population. The Ngöbe Buglé Comarca (reservation) was officially created on March 7, 1997, with territory formerly belonging to the provinces of Chiriquí, Veraguas and Bocas del Toro.

A beautiful waterfall near Besiko.