Isthmian Update |
Some of the news in Panama |
Cement plant
approved
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) changed its mind.
After an intitial refusal, the board of directors approved the
permission of "compatibility" requested by the company
Parque Industrial Marítimo de Panamá (Maritime
Industrial Park of Panama) --- Pimpsa-- to install a cement
clinker grinding plant in the former US naval base of Rodman.
No award needed
The daily "El Siglo" reported that the judges
of the Electoral Tribunal rejected an invitation from the secretary
of the National Council of Transparency, Alma Montenegro de
Fletcher, during the "Week of Transparency", to be
decorated as one of the model institutions of transparency.
Anti-smoking bill
The full sitting of the National Assembly approved
in third debate the government anti-tobacco bill prompted by
the opposition Panameñista Party deputy, Alcibíades
Vásquez. At the moment of voting, the parliamentarian
threw a packet of cigarettes into the trash basket. The law
adopts measures for the control of tobacco and restricts areas
for smokers.
Teaching Mandarin
The Ministry of Education will ask the Budget Commission
of the National Assembly for an extraordinary credit to implement
the legislation for teaching the Mandarin language during the
next school year. The legislation, according to Arturo Araúz,
proponent of the initiative, contemplates the allocation of
scholarships and loans by IFARHU for students interested in
learning this language.
Everything up
From October 2006 to the same month of this year the
price of food has risen by 10.6% Medicines have risen 2.2%,
transport 6.4% and rent 5.1%. These increases were given as
an example of the need to raise the minimum wage, which was
US$300 a month for the government sector and an average of US$284
a month for the private sector.
Lower transatlantic fares?
A new international aviation agreement between the
United States and the European Union could bring lower prices
for trans-Atlantic travel and cause a shake-up among major airlines,
according to a report in Barron’s magazine.
Mel Gibson looks around
Australian actor, Mel Gibson was in Panama checking
locations to establish the company "Icon Productions"
and other Hollywood production compa-nies. He is also considering
Costa Rica.
Moral Vanguard party registered
Guillermo Endara, former president of Panama, received
from the Electoral Tribunal the credentials of the Moral Vanguard
of the Country Party recognizing it as a political party.
Trade treaty stalled
US economic analysts consider that the Commercial
Promotion Treaty (FTA) between the US and Panama will not be
approved while the govering Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD)
deputy, Pedro Miguel González, is president of the National
Assembly. The US Congress ratified the trade agreement with
Peru, but there are weaknesses in the negotiations with Colombia
and Panama.
Emergency exercise
The threat of a large oil spill in the Panama Canal
endangering traffic through the waterway and wild fauna is recognized
by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) which in coordination with
the organization Clean Caribbean & Americas and the US National
Answer Team participated in mobilization and preparation exercises
to answer emergencies (MOBEX). MOBEX is an international exercise
that is carried out every three years in a different country.
This is the first time that it has been held in Panama, and
the first time that the Canal is participating in a simulation
of this magnitude.
Canal enlargement on track
The Panama Canal enlargement project is developing
according to plan. At this moment work is proceeding on the
pre-qualification of the consortiums that will compete for the
tender for the construction and design of the third set of locks.
The administrator of the Canal, Alberto Aleman Zubieta, said
that these tender offers should be between US$12 and US$20 million,
and that the contract for the design of the locks will be given
at the end of 2008.
Trucking dispute
Panama will not modify internal regulations of the
Colon Free Zone (ZLC) as requested by the Costa Rican authorities,
to allow cargo truckers of that country to enter this duty-free
zone. This was stated by the acting Minister of Commerce, Carmen
Gisela Vergara, who was emphatic in indicating that Panama will
not act under pressure. The government of Costa Rica threatened
to implement restrictive measures on the Panamanian truckers
in its fiscal areas and duty free zones if Panama does not lift
the restrictions.
Palm heart project
The Ministry of Agricultural Development, through
the Program of Rural Productivity, began a palm heart project
in the districts of Las Minas, Los Pozos and Ocú, in
the province of Herrera. The palm heart that is extracted from
the stem of young tropical palm trees contains great nutritious
value and is a product consumed around the world especially,
in Europe, North America and Asia.
Spanish interest
A total of 50% of 25 Spanish businesses polled by
the IE Business School intend to increase their presence in
Central America and Panama during 2008. These companies are
quoted on the IBEX, the main index of reference for the Spanish
market.
Proctor & Gamble
The transnational American company Proctor & Gamble
which specializes in personal hygiene articles announced that
it would establish its regional operations center in Panama,
which has obliged its rival, Kimbery-Clark, to upgrade its intallations
to be prepared for the strong competition.
Technicians needed
Panama urgently needs to train technicians to satisfy
the demands of the mega projects in motion, says the director
of the National Institute of Vocational Training and Training
for Human Development (INADEH), Juan Planells.
Dry season?
There could be above-normal rainfall in Panama from
December 2007 until March 2008, according to forecasts of the
Forum on Central American Climate. These rains are forecast
particularly for the Panamanian Caribbean area, that covers
Bocas del Toro, the north of Veraguas to the coast of Colon,
the north of Coclé and the Kuna Yala region, as well
as on the Pacific coasts of Chiriquí, Central and South
Veraguas, the central provinces, Panama and Darien.
Yucca for ethanol
Yucca, a popular root plant, will next year become one
of the main ethanol production sources in Panama. This information
was revealed by the director of the metropolitan region of the
Association of Small and Medium Producers of Panama (APEMEP) Ada
Finch, who is in charge of the project. |
Foreign currency trouble
Panama’s maritime newspaper The Bulletin has
drawn attention to the difficulty in buying travelers’
cheques in Panama and suggests that this could be linked to
the rules imposed by powerful countries in their war on money
laundering. The article continues: "If so, the biggest
sellers of traveler’s cheques, American Express (US) and
Thomas Cook (UK) should be made aware of how their businesses
are being affected in Panama. It might also be a good move for
the Panama Government Tourist Bureau (IPAT) to take a look at
this and also the gouging of visitors who try to change foreign
currency in Panama. Only one bank gives this service, leaving
most foreign visitors at the mercy of exchange shops with unregulated
rates. We are constantly told that IPAT is promoting tourism
from non-dollar areas, and, if this is so, these problems should
be one of its priorities.
Canal bond issue lauded
The possibility of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
emitting US$250 million in bonds through the Panama Stock Exchange
(BVP) received the immediate support of the local private enterprise
sector. The initiative that at present is being evaluated by
the highest levels of the ACP would permit local investors to
participate in the financing of the third set of locks. It would
need cabinet approval.
Petaquilla awaits approval
The National Environmental Authority (ANAM) has not
yet approved the main environmental impact study of the Petaquilla
mining project, it was revealed by the engineer, Eduardo Reyes,
deputy administrator of that dependency. Reyes affirmed that
they have only given the OK to a study concerning access of
a highway.
Parliamentarians accused
The daily newspaper "La Prensa" reports
that the illegitimate use of goods and resources of the State,
contraband, drug trafficking, crimes against the public administration
and health and embezzlement are some of the crimes that 17 deputies
of the National Assembly and the Central American Parliament
have been accused of. According to information from the Supreme
Court, there are 20 penal lawsuits pending.
Diesel subsidy raised
The government increased from US$0.25 to US$0.35 per
gallon the subsidy on diesel that the public transport operators
use. This represents an increase of as much as US$80,000 to
the cost already assumed by the State of some US$500,000 a month,
according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industries.
Canal area property remains
After almost eight years since US troops left the
Canal area and handed over the property that they occupied,
37% of the 13,547 hectares destined for "investments and
generation of employment" have not yet been awarded, according
to an official report of the Unit of Reverted Properties.
Support for the disabled
On International Disability Day, the International
Labor Organization (ILO) was waiting for more countries to ratify
the UN Convention on the rights of the people with disability.
Only seven countries had ratified this document and the first
one to sign was Panama. For this document to go into effect,
it is necessary for 20 countries to sign.
In one of each three Panamanian homes there is a person with
a disability. According to the results of the First Annual Survey
of Disability of 2006, 11.3% of the population has some type
of disability. That is to say that nearly 339,000 people have
some limitation. Of them, 22.2% have physical deficiencies,
mainly deafness and blindness.
An annual budget exceeding US$13,000 has been destined by the
telephone company Cable and Wireless each month to help more
than 20 collaborators that have children with disabilities.
Air links lacking
Panama’s maritime newspaper "The Bulletin"
comments that while Panama has become a great crossroads as
a transshipment center for shipping lines using various container
terminals on the Atlantic and Pacific, the same cannot be said
for the country’s main international airport, Tocumen.
It still caters mainly to airlines linking the cities of the
American continent and the Caribbean but there are no direct
links from Panama to Europe or Asia.
Chiquita Brands pulls out
After 80 years of operationg in Puerto Armuelles,
district of Barú, Chiriquí, the American company,
Chiquita Brands will leave the region on February 29, 2008.
According to an agreement signed by Salustiano De Gracia, vice
president of the Multiple Services Cooperative of Puerto Armuelles
(Coosemupar), and the legal representative of Chiquita, Manuel
Virgil Aizpurúa. The guarantee on the agreement for the
government was given by the Minister of Agricultural Development,
Guillermo Salazar, who witnessed the act.
Meanwhile the economic crisis of the Multiple Services Cooperative
of Puerto Armuelles intensifies more each day, to the point
that the banana workers have not been paid for more than two
fortnightly periods.
Plot against hydro projects?
The president of the Development and Environment Commission
of the National Assembly, Milciades Conception, warned "that
hidden interests exist in those sectors that are opposed to
the development of dams and hydroelectric projects in the country.
He said that hydroelectric energy is the cleanest than exists,
"but we are of the opinion that those who are opposed to
these projects could be favoring the petroleum producing countries
that favor the construction of thermoelectric plants that operate
with bunker and diesel".
Drug trafficking in Chiriquí
The tentacles of drug trafficking rings in the province
of Chiriquí have managed again penetrate the State security
organizations. A total of 14 members of the Technical Judicial
Police (PTJ) and 12 members of the National Police Force were
part of this network.
Some 16 companies and corporations are being investi-gated
for money laundering in Chiriquí, through a network that
involved agents of the Technical Judicial Police (PTJ) and of
the National Police Force. The police officers allegedly charged
up to US$3,000 for cocaine cargoes to pass.
Electricity up
In the first semester of 2008 there will be an average
increase of between US$0.02 and US$0.03 a kilowatt of electricity
for clients who consume more than 500 kilowatts a month, which
is the range of most businesses and industries throughout the
country. The government gave US$27.9 million to subsidize those
who consume less than 500kws. (90% of the clients).
Shipping to Costa Rica and Colombia
On Friday, December 14 Altiplanic Shipping will begin
its new feeder service from Balboa to Caldera (Costa Rica) and
Buenaventura (Colombia). This follows the inauguration in August
of its weekly "Caribbean X-Press Feeder Service" (CXS),
between Manzanillo (Colón) and Guaranao (Venezuela).
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Veneto Casino celebrates anniversary |
Big Bash for largest casino in Central America |
Khatya Muñoz, América Ortiz, Nastassja
Rengifo, Leonidas
Alvarez, Nubia López y Suriani
The Veneto Casino celebrated its second anniversary on November 14th
with music, models and dancing. The big bash included performers like
Chaney and national artist Ulpiano Vergara, pollera presentations, mimes
and carnival shows.
Warner Hain, Andrew Silverman y Richard Ravin.
The Veneto is the largest casino in Central America, with Poker and
Black Jack tournaments, car giveaways, and many live shows.
Accordionist Ulpiano Vergara delights the crowd.
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Expats in fraud case put Panama in world spotlight |
The Story was front page news for many days
Panama received worldwide attention last week as a story broke in England
of a couple who pulled off a bizarre insurance fraud before moving to
the isthmus.
The British media descended in force on Panama City after a man who
was believed to be dead turned himself in at a police station in England
and shortly aftewards his wife was tracked down to their apartment in
El Dorado.
Englishman John Darwin
faked his death in a canoe
accident to claim insurance.
John Darwin, aged 57, was believed drowned when his battered canoe
was found on a beach in Hartlepool in the north of England in 2002.
A year later his wife Anne collected from an insurance company.
When he presented himself to the police last week claiming he had
lost his memory and did not know when he had been, the London “Daily
Mirror” contacted his wife in Panama who at first claimed to be
totally surprised at his “return from the dead”.
But from then on, a strange web of lies and deceipt unfolded in newspapers
and newscasts round the world. A photo of the Darwins together was discovered
on the internet. It had been posted by a Panama realtor last year. Realizing
the game was up, Anne Darwin admitted in lengthy statements to the media
that they had been living together at their home in Seaton Carew, England,
for about three years before moving to Panama, her husband only venturing
out in disgnise.
The wife, Anne Darwin
photographed in Panama.
She admitted that mounting debts had led her husband to fake his canoe
accident and that she had received $155,000 insurance money.
Her story continued on successive days, making front page headlines
in the British press as well as international media from CNN to the
wire services. She spoke to reporters at her apartment in Panama City,
revealing new details of their plot involving secret rooms in their
house, her husbands American girlfriend, a faked passport (apparently
Darwin applied for a British passport in the name of John Jones and
it was issued without difficutly) and their search for a home in Panama.
Darwin is in jail facing charges of deception and Anne Darwin left
Panama saying that she would return to England where the Police are
waiting to question her. |
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City’s Carnival Queen elected |
In a pageant-style competition, the queen who will preside over Panama
City's Carnival in February was elected last month at Atlapa Convention
Center. Of 20 young ladies, each representing a Panama City neighborhood,
Liseth Diaz from El Chorillo was the winner. The 23-year-old is a model
who received her Licenciatura in Human Resources from The University
of Panama. After her crowning, Liseth thanked “My family and friends
for their support since I decided to participate.”
The Queen will be accompanied in her Panama City Carnival presentations
and duties by the first and second runners up, Liz Rodriguez of San
Francisco and Zuyitza Hidalgo from Juan Diaz.
This year, The Panama City Carnival is being promoted internationally.
The board of directors of the carnival is working with hotel associations
and travel agencies to make Panama City a tourist destination for this
traditional celebration.
The city Carnival will take place February 1 to 5 on Via Transistmica.
Some 500,000 people are expected to watch the 84 floats, enjoy musical
presentations and street dancing and the “mojaderas” where
water is sprayed on the revelers. |
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New bar in Casco Viejo
Keep your eyes open for a new bar in Casco Viejo, the city's
Old Quarter. Work has begun on the second story above Los Tres
Caracole's vegetarian counterpart and neighbor, Manolo Caracol.
The bar will be in the upstairs section of Manolo Caracol and
according to a waiter there, should be open before Christmas. |
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International unity for worthy causes in Panama |
Caravana de Asistencia Social Junta Directiva 2007: Sra. Miriam de Bern,
1era. Sub Tesorera; Sra. Anna Lisa de Porras, 2da. VicePresidenta; Sra.
Clarita de Mendieta, Secretaria; Sra. María Teresa de Calzada,
1era
VicePresidenta; Sra. Inés de Schipani, Presidenta; Sra. Carmen
de Flowers,
Secretaria de Actas; Sra. Mary de Rusódimos, 2da. Sub Tesorera;
Sra.
Mary de Rosas, Relaciones Públicas; Sra. Martha De Wolf, Sub
Secretaria;
Sra. Marilyn de Simons, Asesora; Sra. Livia de Sanctis, Tesorera.
The Social Assistance Caravan of Diplomatic and Panamanian Ladies appointed
their 2008 president, Ines Schipani and her cabinet members at a lunch
at the Union Club in Panama City. Prior to the ceremony, the organization
gave its last donations of the year to carefully selected charitable
causes. The Caravan is an organization of the wives of foreign ambassadors
and many Panamanian ladies as well.
Caravan of Social Assistance
president Ines Schipani
presents a $2000 donation
to Sister Ruth Noemi
Lara of CEFMujer.
Mrs. Schipani, wife of the Uruguayan ambassador, announced that the
Caravan had overachieved its goals for 2007 and said she was excited
to lead the organization into another year of international unity in
the name of social assistance to some of the most worthy causes in Panama.
The organization holds a major fund-raising activity in Atlapa Convention
Center every year. The gastronomical cultural fair is the main source
of funds where thousands flock to taste the food of many countries and
take home crafts and products.
"We are such stuff as dreams are made on!", Schipani quoted
Shakespeare and expressed her great honor leading the way to making
the dreams of 2008 come true for those who are in most need.
Organizations which received donations
The Centro de Formacion de la Mujer (CEF Mujer) is a home
dedicated to the training of young women. The home accepts young women
15 years of age from the interior who would otherwise not have a chance
to continue their education. Currently 13 young women live in the home
Villalobos de Pedregal in Panama City with two Catholic nuns and attend
public school. The program dictates that they return to their native
towns when they are 18 to give back to their community some of what
they learned.
Caravan of Social Assistance president
Ines Schipani presents a $46,000
donation to Julio Arango, director
of Aldeas Infantiles SOS.
Aldeas Infantiles SOS is an organization with 26 years in Panama, and
active in 132 countries. They currently have 550 orphans under their
care, growing up together in groups of nine or ten per home and foster
mother. Aldeas has orphans homed in Panama City, Penonome, David and
Colon. |
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Special commission established |
New law to attract multinationals here |
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DHL executive says: “Panama is amazing.
We are seeing double digit growth.” |
Panama now has another reason to remain a hot spot on investors' radar,
as well as being Latin America's number one banking center and free
trade zone, with a real estate boom and a growing tourism market. Panama's
new Law 41 is aimed directly at multinational companies, giving them
good incentive to establish their global or regional operations in the
country.
The law takes all of the bureaucracy out of registering a foreign
multinational with the creation of a new entity: the new Multinational
Company Site Licensing Commission, which establishes the laws that make
Panama attractive to foreign companies. Law 41 also creates a separate
secretary who oversees the quick processing of visas for workers, administration
and the official register of multinationals.
“Panama is working hard at attracting new companies and new investment,”
said David Hunt, a director of the American Chamber of Commerce.
DHL Vice President of Latin American Operations Antonio Arranz says,
“Panama is amazing, we are seeing double digit growth.”
DHL recently expanded their Latin American hub in Panama because of
its key global position.
Dell operates its Latin American financial, marketing and human resources
out of Panama as well as its largest call center in the region. Hewlett-Packard
and Caterpillar have both recently announced that they too will have
their regional offices in Panama.
Panama is Latin America's fastest-growing economy according to the
International Monetary Fund and the United Nations Economic Commission
for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). |
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U.S. ambassador criticised for questioning corruption in Panama |
US Ambassador to Panama William Eaton has come under criticism for
questioning corruption in Panama's judicial system. Ambassador Eaton
has reportedly pointed out judicial injustice three times here in the
last year. But not everyone wants to hear him.
"The judicial problems in Panama should be resolved by nationals."
responded President Martin Torrijos last month. "We know our judicial
system needs improvement." He has created various commissions to
rectify the problems, but maintains that it is a matter for Panamanians.
"That Eaton mentions corruption is unpleasant, because it is an
intervention into internal matters." commented Alma Montenegro
de Fletcher of The National Consortium Against Corruption. |
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U.S. warns travellers against Darien |
but its safe, says Panama |
The US State Travel Department has sent a warning to travelers regarding
the Darien Province. On Monday, December 3, just one day after Darien
was featured as an eco-destination in several US publications, the US
warned tourists not to visit the area.
The memo described Darien as an area of "violent crime, kidnappings
and murders", plagued by terrorists, drug traffickers and other
criminals. They also cited that the area lacked communication and medical
services. For these reasons the US government has urged its citizens
not to travel into this region, not even to hotels or national parks.
The State Department's memo brought a swift response from the Panamanian
Minister of Government and Justice, Daniel Delgado Diamante, who denounced
the US Travel Department's warning. "Darien is a beautiful area
with great tourist attractions and the security required to ensure the
safety of those who visit," he said. Delgado did recognize the
issues with crime in the area, and drug trafficking in particular because
of the proximity to Colombia. But he stated that the problem is not
as serious as the US has made it out to be.
No major incidents have occurred in the privately-owned nature reserves
or resorts in the area. But according to The Catholic Church and Archbishop
Dimas Cedeño, violent crime is still a problem in the region.
In light of the blow against Darien, defenders of Panama's touristic
activities pointed to a 2006 memo. The same US authority warned tourists
to be "cautious" around The University of Panama because of
anti-American student groups, when no real threat existed. |
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1.4 Million tourists come to Panama
The Panama Tourism Bureau (IPAT) predicts that the 2007 year
will close with 1.4 million tourists visiting the country, with
a significant increase in European tourists towards the end
of the year. |
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La Niña: More Rain
Panama may receive more rain this “summer”. In
the usually drier months of December through March, meteorologists
have predicted more rain due to the effects of La Niña.
Flooding may occur in the Caribbean, in the northern part of
the country, from Bocas del Toro to Kuna Yala. |
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Local bonds to finance Canal |
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is analyzing the possibility of
releasing $250 million dollars in bonds in the local stock market to
finance the expansion of the Canal. Local investors would thus be able
to participate in the expansion, which started last September and is
expected to conclude in 2014. The total cost of the project is $5.25
billion. |
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455 luxury rooms |
Oceanfront hotel in Playa Blanca planned by Hard Rock Hotel group |
The internationally famous Hard Rock Hotel group has announced plans
to open a hotel in Panama's Playa Blanca. This is the first expansion
of the Florida luxury brand into Central America because it considers
that Panama is a perfect location to continue its goal to accelerate
expansion into strategic and interesting locations worldwide.
Rock star suites
The resort will offer a four-star luxury environment incorporating
a unique rock vibe. Situated on 1200 feet of oceanfront property, the
Hard Rock Hotel will have 455 rooms ranging from 500 square feet to
1900 square feet. They dub them "rock star suites", a signature
of the brand. This is the brand's first hotel in Latin America.
Seminole Owners
"We are excited to bring the Hard Rock Hotel experience
to these pristine Pacific beaches," said Wayne Bryan, CEO of Lagomar
Resort, S.A. (partnering with Hard Rock for this venture) "It's
the right place to invest, with perfect weather and a forward-thinking
government. Addition- ally, Hard Rock's brand of luxury lifestyle provides
an unparalleled visitor experience."
The Hard Rock Hotel is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and
Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment. |
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Foreign banks flock to Panama |
Foreign banks flock to Panama French bank Nataxis is latest entry
in financial center |
French Bank Natixis celebrated the opening of its Panama operations
center last month at the Inter Oceanic Canal Museum. The bank is operating
with an international licence which will allow it to direct transactions
abroad from an office established here.
Two other banks are establishing a national presence. Banesco, a Venezuelan
bank, changed its international licence to enter the national market
as well and has stepped up a major local marketing plan.
Currently five more applications are in process for banks with capital
originating from Guatemala, Ecuador, Panama, Switzerland and Cayman
Islands. |
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Charter flights bring Finns to Hotel Bambito |
Hotel Bambito Resort is attracting European tourists this dry season.
Of the hotel's 45 rooms, up to 20 are reserved for groups from Finland,
who come to Panama on chartered flights. Set in the mountains at the
skirt of Volcan Baru in Chiriqui, Bambito is especially attractive to
these tourists according to General Manager Marcel Chang.
At the hotel visitors enjoy great food, spa treatments and a heated
pool. They take advantage of the hotel's unique location and take day
trips to interesting sights nearby. The Finnish tourists connect with
nature in the surrounding national parks, tour racehorse farms, go trout
fishing and view pre-Colombian remnants at Sitio Barriles.
Chang also noted a strong German demand for rooms at Bambito. |
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Construction permits rise by 44%
Construction value has increased significantly according to
the Comptroller's office of the Republic (CGP). Compared to
figures from the previous 12 months, as of October the declared
value for permits to build, add and repair is up 44%. |
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Hotel Central to be restored to former splendor |
Casco Viejo landmark will be luxury hotel again |
The hotel, facing the Cathedral, awaits new balconies.
The Hotel Central, shining star of the 19th century but for many years
derelict, will take center stage once again among Panama City hotels.
In Casco Viejo, the Old Quarter, dominating one side of the Cathedral
Plaza, Hotel Central will reopen as a five star luxury hotel and the
result of a $20 million investment. Work crews have begun gutting the
hotel and restoration is projected to start in January. The hotel should
reopen near the end of 2009.
Just blocks away from the presidential palace and facing the cathedral
across the tree-lined plaza, the hotel was once considered one of the
most luxurious and prestigious in Latin America. In the late 1800s,
it housed the administration of the French Canal Company. In later years,
it hosted many leaders and international personalities during their
visits to Panama. It was also home to Panama's first Rotary Club, in
1982.
Architect Ariel Espino, Director of the Casco Antiguo Office, says
that the 134-room hotel will be restored to its original state. It will
again boast its interior courtyard with its massive skylight and grand,
wooden, three-way staircase. The center aisle will ascend and two smaller,
lateral aisles will be for descending guests, just as in the hotel's
heyday. Inside the rooms, promoters promise a fitting 19th century-era
decoration.
The Spanish group behind the project is part of a growing number of
investors in the country projecting a need for luxury accommodations.
The hotel will have two restaurants and a rooftop bar offering views
of Panama Bay and Ancon Hill. The two-level spa will have a sauna, Turkish
baths, jacuzzi, massage rooms, weight room, and a pool. |
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