Copa Airlines, Continental & Marriott Hotel share success with The Press

A group of associates of Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines and the Marriott Panama Hotel.

Copa Airlines, Continental Airlines and the Panama Marriott Hotel recently held a party to share the success of the year 2006 with members of the local press. Four years ago, the three companies entered into a strategic alliance in order to better serve the country’s growing tourist industry.

Contiental, Copa, and the Panama Marriott Hotel also sponsor a number of charity events throughout the year, such as the "Play for Kids" program, which brings toys to hundreds of underprivileged children around Panama through the proceeds of a charity golf tournament, which this year is scheduled for Saturday, March 17 at Coronado Golf & Beach Resort.

Health tourism

Dry season has finally arrived with its vast array of opportunities for outdoor entertainment. However, it is important that visitors take the necessary steps, not only to have fun, but to protect themselves from the negative effects of sunrays and water during this time of year

The following is a list of advice on how to prevent and treat summertime accidents.

Before any prolonged exposure to the sun, be sure to drink lots of water and moisten your skin with body lotion and the appropriate type of sun screen for your skin. A good dose of anti-oxidants (vitamins E and C) is also recommended. Such vitamins are found in fruit juices, salads or supplements.

It is important to note that all types of skin, despite an appropriate care, tend to end up dry after long exposures to the sun. In order to minimize the effects of dryness and irritation, correctly follow the instructions that come along with your sun screen or moisturizing lotion.

Parents should always take special care with children in the sun. One needs to remember that most adult skin cancer cases are associated with a long history of sun exposure which, in many cases, starts during childhood.

According to Panamanian dermatologist Dr. Armando Mocci, children six months or younger should not be exposed directly to the sun and neither should they use any sun screen. Whenever playing outdoors, children should be well-clothed and always be in a shadowed area.

The type of sun screen is directly related to skin color. Darker complexions should use an spf between 15-25, whereas light-complected people should use screens with an spf between 30 and 50.

According to Dr. Mocci, sun screens should be applied in thick layers approximately every hour or hour and-a-half. In Panama, it is best to avoid direct sun light between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Red Frog Beach: Responsible development

A number of environmental organizations have denounced the rapid destruction of the delicate coastal and marine ecosystems of Bocas del Toro by international real estate developers. This article, submitted by the creators of Red Frog Beach, seeks to inform readers of the enviromental protection policies taken by this ambitious residential community.

Isla Bastimentos, located in the province of Bocas del Toro, is one of the country’s most unique natural treasures –a land rich in beautiful maritime settings and ecosystems.

The island is home to Red Frog Beach, an ambitious real estate project which entails the construction of a series of vacation villas, suites, a spa hotel, a marina, a restaurant, a beach club, canopy tours, an activity center for tourists (diving, fishing), boutiques, and internal transport facilities.

The developers of Red Frog Beach are conscious of the delicate, natural treasures of the area and are committed to preserving the environment and foster the development of the community of Bastimentos as part of its social responsibility policy.

The Red Frog Beach tourist and residential complex is being built on existing graze lands and on land formerly used for teak plantations. In other words, the project is being built on lands that were deforested before their purchase. However, the plans of Red Frog Beach include massive efforts to restore deforested areas with native vegetation.

Following strict environmental norms, the developers are making the necessary investments to maintain and improve current conditions during the construction phase. A staff of 26 employees work full-time in reducing the effects of erosion and the disposal of organic waste. The anti-erosion works (including the stabilization of slopes, the planting of lawn and the purchase of ecomatrix nets) represents an investment of US$100,000.

Additionally, 62% of the project’s extension (330 hectares) has been devoted for conservation purposes, becoming a large buffer zone between the project and the Isla Bastimentos Marine Park, creating biological corridors that guarantee the free movement of wildlife through Isla Bastimentos and protecting the western border of the park. Structures in this area will be devoted to environmental education, bird watching and eco-tourist activities.

Red Frog Beach is a residential development with an innovative tourist element. The project features a Hotel Management Program which offers completely-furnished, world-class vacation villas for rent, the first of which were delivered in December 2006 and January, 2007.

The development is creating enormous financial benefits. In the last thre years, the developers have invested over US$40 million, generating approximatly 1,000 jobs, not including the inderect jobs and the injection of cash into the local economy caused by the increased services of airlines, hotels and restaurants.

Although most of the project is still in its construction phase, developers are working in the establishment of a non-profit organization called Fundación Red Frog, the mission of which is to "work with the local community, governmental institutions and expatriate residents of Isla Bastimentos and Bocas del Toro in the improvement and protection of the delicate ecosystems of the area in order to improve the quality of life of Isla Bastimetos."