News
New national flight to Pedasí
The growing tourism industry in the southeastern Azuero Peninsula town of Pedasí is thrilled with recent news that a national Aeroperlas flight now offers service between Panama City and this charming beach destination. Pedasí is often called “the jewel of the Azuero Peninsula” for its colonial charm and access to world class fishing, surfing and eco-destinations.
The new flight launches today, Friday, February 5. It operates Mondays and Fridays, departing from Albrook at 12:31 p.m. and arriving in Pedasí at 1:26 p.m. The return flights leaves Pedasí at 1:41 p.m. and arrives back in the city at 2:36 p.m. Cutting down travel time from a four-hour drive to a flight that takes under an hour will spark more tourism in the area. The many activities to be enjoyed in the area include a day visit to the eco-reserve Isla Iguana, sport fishing or surfing at one of the popular beaches like Playa Venao.
Several entities are credited with the creation of this flight: the Pedasí business community, the Panama Chamber to Commerce and the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP). The round trip flight costs around $155. Visit www.aeroperlas.com for more information.
Where to watch the Superbowl
This Sunday is Superbowl Sunday, so here is a list of popular spots to watch the game live from Miami as the Saints battle the Colts:
Superbook VIP Sports Club: Drink specials, on-site sports book, big couches in a bar filled to the brim with televisions. Banking District, 214-8913.
Bennigan’s: The Balboa Avenue location is always popular for its enormous television screen projection and sports-serious atmosphere at the sports bar. The Amador Causeway location is open air with a view of the marina. Avenida Balboa: 214-7022, Amador: 340-7340.
Oldies: New pub and restaurant on Calle 39 in Bella Vista throws a big party six pack, wing and house French fry specials in an ambiance that celebrates the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. Calle 39, two blocks in from Ave Balboa, 225 5707.
Action Sportsbook: Inside the Royal Casino at the Marriott. Open bar and buffet from 4 – 10 pm, $20 presale and $25 at the door. Banking District, 392-9080.
Balboa Yacht Club: This long-standing staple for Americans in Panama will surely draw a crowd to watch the big game. Amador, 228-5794.
Obama pushes for Panama Trade Agreement
By Jacob Ehrler
Obama wants the Panama
trade agreement to pass.
US President Barack Obama surprised republicans, democrats and political analysts around the world during his state of the union address last week when he mentioned Panama. Obama stated that the US needs to: “strengthen our trade relations in Asia and with key partners like South Korea and Panama and Colombia.” Panama’s pending trade deal with the US seems to have a chance as Obama seeks unification between democrats and republicans.
Stating the names of the three countries that the US currently has pending trade promotion agreements with was a decidedly bi-partisan move by Obama. It was also proof-positive that the undying optimism shown by Panama’s Ambassador in Washington, DC, Jaime Aleman, regarding passage of the agreement is not in vain, even though the White House and Congress are currently democrat-controlled. Democrats have historically been against passing the already-signed FTA with Panama.
Obama later stated that democrats and republicans need to “start working together” and stop allowing political positioning come between them in getting work done. The reasoning that he used to support the passing of the agreements is something that both parties will be able to agree upon: “We will double our exports in the next five years, an increase that will support 2 million jobs in America.”
Big Panama promotion at the Winter Games in Vancouver
Panama promoters will attend the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada to foster tourism to Panama in the western Canadian market, where travelers are well-known for being eco-conscious. Pearl Islands Sustainable Tourism Association co-founder Nigel Cosans and Pearl Islands luxury cruise ship owner Andre Niederhauser teamed up with the Olympic Games’ official radio sponsor promote Panama in a vacation giveaway that will be aired during the month of February in Canada.
Cosans told The Visitor that Transat, the same Canadian charter airline that offers direct flights to Panama from Toronto, will be chartering tourists from Vancouver to Panama beginning on March 1 for Spring Break season. He says: “We are going to stir up enough publicity for Panama, the Pearl Islands and the Sea Voyager by Cuna de Vida cruise so that the flight between Vancouver and Panama can hopefully operate full-time during the next summer season, if not year-round.”
This edition of The Visitor will be distibuted at the on-site contest registration in Whistler.
Vancouver, and specifically the ski resort town of Whistler, will be buzzing about Panama during the month of February as 102.1, Mountain FM (the official Olympic radio station) blasts out details of the radio contest which promotes getting away from cold weather to discover “some of the most deserted beaches throughout the Pearls Islands... and an exceptional cultural, natural and relaxing experience aboard the luxurious Cuna cruise.”
The MV Sea Voyager by Cuna de Vida is a 174-foot, three-deck ship that sleeps up to 64 guests in its 32 private cabins, all with water view windows. The personalized service, amazing cuisine and fun daily activities are what promoters are sure will turn this into one of Panama’s staple tourism products as more people discover Panama. Visit www.cunadevida.com for more information.
Scots celebrate Burns Night
Attendees of the Burns Night event enjoyed
a very entertaining evening. - Photos: Jennifer Moloney -
The first Burns Night celebration in Panama for over 11 years took place on Friday January 29. Hosted by The Panama St Andrews Society at the City Club, the event was attended by over eighty people, including His Excellency Richard Austin, the British Ambassador to Panama.
St. Andrew’s Panama chieftan Jonathan Jones and
his Excellency British Ambassador Richard Austin enjoy Bobbie Jones’
recital of “The Lassies Reply to the Ladies”. - Photos: Jennifer Moloney -
Burns night is celebrated by Scotsmen worldwide to honour the birthday of Robert Burns, widely regarded as the National Poet of Scotland. The evening began with the traditional “Address to the Haggis”, followed by a three-course dinner, drinks and, of course, whisky. Entertainment was provided by the In Groove Jazz Quartet, who performed a selection of Robert Burns songs. Following dinner, guests were invited to kick up their heels with some Scottish dancing, and the evening ended with a disco and guests coming together to sing Auld Lange Syne. As the party continued into the night, kilts could be seen in the streets of Panama and a thoroughly good time was had by all.
The St Andrews Society meets every second Tuesday of the month at the Rincon Aleman. For information please contact: www.standrewspanama@gmail.com
Government projects medical tourism boom
The government foresees an explosive demand for medical tourism in Panama after the health reform pending in the U.S., according to the five-year plan submitted by the Executive. Americans could choose Panama, because in other places there is an increase in waiting times for medical procedures and fixed denial of claims.
Isthmian Update
Some of the news in Panama
Treasury Notes to be issued
The Cabinet authorized the issuance of Treasury Notes of up to $600 million to be negotiated through the local market. These resources - to be made available as required - will be used for debt repayment and to finance part of the fiscal deficit or projects in budgeted expenditure for this year, which amounts to $502 million, said Dulcidio Guardia, Vice-minister of Finance.
Martinelli in Honduras
and Switzerland
President Ricardo Martinelliand the Vice-president and Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Varela, traveled to Honduras for the recent inauguration of the new president Porfirio Lobo. From there they departed for Davos, Switzerland, where they remained through Sunday, January 31, attending the World Economic Forum. Martinelli had a dozen meetings with business leaders highlighting the “impressive economic and financial profile” of Panama. He met with executives from Toyota, Dell, Nestle, SABMiller, Unilever, Intel, Microsoft, Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, Heineken and Mercury Energy, among others.
Noriega’s defense asks
Supreme Court to “reconsider”
The defense lawyer of former Panamanian General Manuel Antonio Noriega said yesterday they would file a “motion for reconsideration” to the U.S. Supreme Court to support the resource that he seeks to prevent his client’s extradition to France. The Panamanian State has reaffirmed its request to extradite Noriega, according the Vice-president and Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Varela.
Measure for Pérez
Balladares filed in DC
The daily La Critica reported that an interim measure of protection in favor of former President Ernesto Pérez Balladares was filed with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in Washington, DC. According to Guillermina McDonald, defense lawyer of the former president, the action was presented to the international organization for violation of due process and lack of sustainable evidence when charges were pressed against the former president for money laundering
Darien clash
A clash last week between members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Border Service of Panama in regions of Balsal and Paya, in Darien, left three dead, one wounded and two captured, all Colombians. The Minister of Government and Justice, Jose Raul Mulino, said that the confrontation was an “incident” and not an “operation” programmed against the FARC. Air and ground transport in Panama’s easternmost province were limited for 72 hours following the incident.
Fuel prices down
Fuel prices are projected to drop through February 12. The National Secretariat of Energy announced that a gallon of 95 octane gasoline will drop $0.06 to settle at $3.13 and 91 octane will drop $0.08 to $2.94. A gallon of standard and low sulfur diesel was reduced by $0.15 and $0.14 to $2.61 and $2.68 respectively.
Minimum wage increase fails to reach all
At least 23 companies failed to meet the salary increase established late last year, said the Labor Inspection Department of the Ministry of Labor. The discovery was made after inspectors conducted an operation in the capital city on 80 businesses.
Canadian trade mission
An increase in trade between Canada and Panama is expected following the arrival of a trade mission of the Atlantic zone of Canada, which was in Panama from January 25 to 29. The trade mission brought 11 Canadian companies to Panama from New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, provinces on the Atlantic side of Canada.
Final Colombia FTA meeting
On February 11, the second and final exploratory meeting between Panama and Colombia will be held for a free trade agreement (FTA), said the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Roberto Henriquez. Presidents Álvaro Uribe of Colombia and Ricardo Martinelli of Panama, have asked for a quick negotiation and agreement to complete it in five months.
Spain agreement to help Panama off OECD gray list
Panama and Spain will start negotiations in Madrid on April 28 on an agreement to avoid double taxation. This will help the country be taken off the gray list of tax havens of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).
Metro may go farther
The Secretariat of the Metro will begin studies to determine the possibility of extending the route of the first line of Metro Panama to the entrance of San Isidro, that is, 2.5 miles farther east than planned. Robert Roy, secretary of the Metro, said that beforehand, they will have to analyze two technical problems: The passage below the section of the Northern Corridor freeway in Tinajitas, and the slope that exists from Los Andes No. 2 to the entrance of San Isidro.
Square watermelons
Panama Fruit Products, Ltd. made Panama the first country to produce square watermelons in Central America. The company, based in Anton, Cocle Province, has begun producing square watermelons without seeds for export to U.S. and European markets. The idea began 20 years ago in Japan and is now a worldwide success.