News
Tourism industry news
CAMTUR reviews 2011 sector advancements, new board of directors looks on toward 2012
The new CAMTUR board of directors swearing in: Jorge García, of the Airlines Association of Panama; Annie Young, of the Panamanian Association of Tour Operators; Ernesto Reina (vocal), of the Panamanian Association of Travel and Tourism; Antonio Alfaro (Treasurer), Association of Gaming; Lorena Calvo, of the Panamanian Association of Tour Operators; Gilberto Arosemena (Secretary), of the National Vehicle Leasing; Jaime Campuzano (Vicepresident), of the Panamanian Association of Hotels; and the President Annette Cardenas, of the Panamanian Assotiation of Hotels.
Annette Cárdenas, president re-elect of the Tourism Chamber (CAMTUR), reported being pleased with the role that this organization has played in the tourism sector over the last year at the swearing-in ceremony of the new board of directors last week.
CAMTUR has, among its many efforts, begun participation in the quality certification project for the tourism sector, in which 30 businesses are participating on a path to receive an international certification. The organization also held Panama’s first Expo Turismo Internacional, now two years and two events since its creation. CAMTUR also visited the Puerto Rico Convention Center last year.
Looking ahead
The big push for 2012 will be promoting the fiscal advantages for US companies to hold conferences and congresses in Panama. The expense will be tax-deductible under the conditions of the new trade deal with the US. CAMTUR is participating by creating a brochure to communicate this point.
Two other top projects for 2102 will be Expo Turismo Internacional in its third edition on September 28 and 29 as well as improvements to be made at the ATLAPA Convention Center. CAMTUR will also be supporting indigenous tourism initiatives in Panama.
Among CAMTUR’s objectives is to position Panama as a leading destination in the region, and turn tourism industry into the number one income producing industry in Panama, as stated in the “2020 Tourism Plan.”
“A picture of health”
Michael Douglas visit to Panama
When actor Michael Douglas and also big-screen star wife Katherine Zeta-Jones visited Panama recently, the news made a big splash on the US Hollywood gossip show “Entertainment Tonight” as well as on many print and web outlets.
Douglas has been in the spotlight lately precisely for being out of it, as he recovered from a bout with throat cancer that had his fans worried about the frail state of the beloved screen actor. He announced after seeking specialized treatment that his battle with cancer was victorious just under one year ago.
This recent press was one of the first and most positive appearances that the actor has made in the media lately. The reports highlighted Panama as the first spot the actor was seen recovering.
In an article entitled “Michael Douglas Looks Healthy, Happy Vacationing In Panama”, The Huffington Post wrote that “Douglas looked happy and healthier than ever, enjoying some rest, relaxation and a little family time in a land far away,” calling him “picture of health on the beaches of Panama.”
Cruise season is kid’s play!
Pullamantur’s Horizon.
The cruise ship season in Panama is about to begin its 2012 run from February to October, and New Tours Agency just announced a special promotion for a cruise from Panama to Cartagena, Aruba, La Guaira and Curasao. The eight day and seven night cruise is all included and leaves on Friday, February 24 and returns Friday, March 2.
The company is currently promoting a cruise tour for two at $1,748 and for four at $2,728. These prices include taxes and fees. The big surprise for families is that children under 15 only pay tax, and the triple bunk bed set up for two plus a child is actually less expensive than if the two adults were traveling alone.
This tour is aboard Pullmantur’s Horizon ship, with a capacity for 1,828 travelers. Contact 360-2325.
The return of restaurant reviews
Get ready to eat - weekly reviews of the top restaurants of Panama City and throughout the country will return to The Visitor beginning next week. Featured Restaurant: Terrae Bistro.
Isthmian Update
Some of the news in Panama
Chamber of Commerce
on tax evasion proposal
As "hasty and unnecessary" is how the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) described a legislative initiative which proposes two to four years in prison for those who evade taxes. In a statement, the Chamber of Commerce said that the proposal is unnecessary because the tax code already provides for penalties, both monetary and with deprivation of liberty, for those who violate the rules.
Logistics visit
A group of 34 investors linked to the US logistics sector is in Panama to view the country's progress in this sector. The businessmen received information on the construction of the first Metro line and the expansion of the Panama Canal. The geographical position of Panama has turned it into the main logistics hub in the region.
Panama City
mayor resigns
Bosco Vallarino resigned as mayor of Panama City citing health reasons, but the public is not quite convinced. On this question of why, the most accepted theory is that it was the pressure from President Ricardo Martinelli that caused his resignation. According to a public opinion poll by Dichter & Neira, 70% of the population believes that the chief executive had to do with ousting Bosco from the mayoral office.
Surplus fund progressing
The formation of a sovereign fund in the country, mainly to house surplus money generated by the Panama Canal expansion that will be completed in 2014, is progressing and may be consolidated this year, according to experts. They also said that the creation of the Sovereign may be taking as seed money all the assets of the Trust Fund for Development (FFD), consisting of $1.3 billion and considered the saving of Panama.
Attorney General on postponed hearings
The Attorney General, Jose Ayú Prado, is concerned about the constant postponements of hearings, which he considers one of the factors affecting the management of the different offices of Public Instruction of the Attorney General’s Office in 2011. Ayú Prado also said he was unhappy because so far his administration has not achieved major goals: increasing the number of cases resolved in court.
Canal expansion progress
After completing the third phase of dry excavation of the Pacific access channel of the Panama Canal, linking the third set of locks to the Gaillard Cut and Gatun Lake, advances in the fourth and final phase of dry excavation can be started. The channel through which post-Panamax ships will transit after 2014, has a length of 6.1 kilometers, a width of 218 meters and its depth of excavation is to 9.14 meters above sea level. Up until November 30, the Canal expansion program had an advance of 32% and contracts were awarded totaling $4.257 billion.
Carnival on the Cinta Costera
The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) will use the Coastal Strip for the capital's 2012 carnival. The administrator of the ATP, Solomon Shamah, said that the carnival organization on the Coastal Strip has $50,000 to cope with damages.
Canal expansion
affects Miami's port
The impact of the expansion of the Canal on the port of Miami and how to prepare the terminal for the future market demand is the issue facing the Port of Miami and its Director, Bill Johnson. Johnson will be among speakers at the "International Congress on Engineering and Infrastructure Panama Canal 2012", to be held in Beijing from April 18 to 20, organized by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). The activity will bring together over 40 experts from 10 countries who will present the trends and realities of global engineering, said a statement from the ACP.
Fruit fly meeting
In July Panama will host the eighth meeting of the hemisphere program on fruit flies, in which scientists from different countries will present new knowledge and experience on behavior and control of this pest. Over the next three years, agricultural authorities will invest $6 million to eradicate this insect in the country, considered the most destructive of all tropical flies.
Eisenmann on taxes owed
The daily La Prensa reported that businessman I. Roberto Eisenmann, a critic of the administration of President Ricardo Martinelli, said that his legal team found a series of errors in the two resolutions of the Department of Revenue (DGI) which, on January 5, stated his taxed owed by the company Coronado Golf Development, Inc., reach $3,076,000.
Economic growth
will slow in 2012
The economy will grow at a good pace in 2012, but at a slower rate. The managing partner of the firm Indesa, Philip Chapman, estimates that growth will be 5%, which he describes as healthy and robust, taking into account the conditions of the global economy. Although in recent years Panama has been highlighted as a country of Latin America that has maintained its growth, businessmen and economists warn that there are signs on certain topics that may tarnish that bonanza, such as inflation, lack of institutional integrity and "not being prudent" on the tax side of things.
New mayor Roxana Mendez
promises a round of firings
The new mayor of Panama City, Roxana Mendez, confirmed that "managerial positions in the Municipality of Panama will change."
Ferrufino to run for president
The Social Development Minister and deputy of the ruling Democratic Change (CD), Guillermo Ferrufino, announced that he will seek the nomination in a primary to run for the presidency in 2014.