Tourism Minister Salome Shamah

The Panama Tourism Authority and Aeroperlas held a joint press conference this past Friday to inaugurate the flights to Pedasi.  ATP head Salome Shamah was in attendance, along with Pedasi area investors and Aeroperlas executives.  Rolando Pereira of Aeroperlas Airline gave a short presentation about the history of the airline and his belief in and reasons for supporting the Pedasi route.  He was followed by Mr. Shamah, who spoke of the importance for the public and private sector to work in conjunction to advance the connectivity of the country and foster tourism in remote parts of Panama.

Mr. Shamah ended the speech with a passionate plea to the private sector to not squander the natural resources of the Azuero Peninsula, such as Isla Iguana National Park.  Nereida Moscoso, owner of Hostal Doña Maria in Pedasi spoke on behalf of Pedasi area business owners about Pedasi as a destination.  A folkloric music and dance group, complete with Panama’s famous “polleras” gave a performance as the audience moved to the Aeroperlas hangar to see the specific plane that is going to be used for the charter.  Later that day, the locals in Pedasi held a celebration at the airport with music, flowers and fanfare as the inaugural flight of passengers landed.

A folkloric group, Shamah, and the team that helped support the flight

The flight was an initiative that began with Pedasi area investors. The group made a proposal to the ATP and Aeroperlas. Both agreed to assist with a subsidized flight to the area. The ATP offered matching funds for promotion of the flight and Aeroperlas agreed to run the flight on an experimental basis, pending a percentage of the tickets were pre-purchased by Pedasi businesses. Adolfo Linares and the Panama Chamber of Commerce also played a role in acting as the proxy on the agreement while the Pedasi Chamber of Commerce remains pending formalization.

Flights depart Fridays and Mondays from the Albrook Airport in Panama City.

12:31pm — Departs Albrook
1:26pm — Arrives Pedasi

1:41pm — Departs Pedasi
2:36pm — Arrives Albrook

COST:
Approximately $155 round trip, depending on gas tax

Among those businesses who have helped sponsor the flight:

PedasiFishing
Casita Margarita
Azuero Villas
Villa Esplenderosa
Villa Camilla
Tedd Tennis of Andromeda Country Club
Kirk Johnston of Cafe Limon

The flight can be booked online at www.Aeroperlas.com. Be sure to remember that the flight runs only on Fridays and Mondays when searching dates.

(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Business, Politics on March 1st, 2010 | No Comments »

Panama Tourism’s New Top Boss, Salome Shamah

Today I had a very positive meeting with Salome Shamah, Panama’s new Minister of Tourism (ATP).  Also in attendance were Adolfo Linares (head of Panama Chamber of Commerce), Rolando Pereira (Aeroperlas) and Jose Goldner (Pedasi area investor).  The subject of the sit-down was to discuss the need for a subsidized flight route to Pedasi.  So far, we’ve had a tough time garnering unconditional support from Azuero area investors to help back the effort.

The Azuero Investors group have in hand a deal that would see them sharing the financial losses with Aeroperlas of a 12-seat, Friday/Monday flight to Pedasi for a trial period of six months.  The flights are scheduled to begin in February and can be purchased now online at www.aeroperlas.com.  Going into the meeting, it was our hope to make the deal for Azuero investors a no-brainer via some guaranteed financial and/or marketing support from the Panama Tourism Authority. Read more »

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Business, Politics on February 1st, 2010 | 6 Comments »

what surprises does 2010 hold for Panama?

I asked a few friends and fellow bloggers for their predictions for Panama in 2010.   Here’s a compilation of their opinions, which are as varied and colorful as my uncle Doc’s 8 kids.

Sam Taliferro, Real Estate Developer & Blogger
PrimaPanama

I foresee relatively strong employment, political stability and higher International profile.  I see light at the end of the tunnel regarding the state of corruption in Panama. Recent legal actions against past administration will send a clear message to all levels of current and future government officials. Canal traffic will continue to slow due to the world economy placing additional risk and higher costs to Panama borrowings to pay for the expansion.

Panama will see significantly higher costs of goods and services due to recent minimum wage increases and inflation of the U.S. dollar. Hotel occupancy levels will continue to deteriorate in the city as more product come on line and the world economy continues to slow. Read more »

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Business, Politics on January 20th, 2010 | 6 Comments »

Aeroperlas is a member of Grupo Taca airline’s SANSA Regional

A small group of area investors and business owners in the sleepy beach town of Pedasi have banded together to help foster tourism growth in the region.  The group is attempting to raise funds through the local Chamber of Commerce to help subsidize a limited flight route through regional airline Aeroperlas.  Under the proposed plan, the flight would run Fridays and Mondays for a test period of six months. and the Pedasi investment community would be required to absorb part of the cost of unsold seats.

Located on Southeast tip of the Azuero Peninsula, this remote region is the center of Panama’s folklore and tradition. Known for many festivals, including the famous Carnavales celebrations and the picturesque traditional formal women’s dress La Pollera.  Pedasi is a quaint seaside village with charming Spanish Colonial architecture.  Attractions include great weather, unexplored Pacific beaches and Isla Iguana National Park.  This island is just 15 minutes offshore and offers white sand beaches, turquoise waters and excellent snorkeling.  The region is known for world-class tuna fishing, scuba diving and great surfing in nearby Playa Venao.   There are a handful of small Pedasi hotels and B&Bs in the area, but tourism is still still in its infancy.

According to Aeroperlas, the first flights may run as soon as early February and can be booked online at their website. If you are interested in contributing to the opening of the flight, email casey@costaricapages.com.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Business on January 19th, 2010 | 3 Comments »

Even though Panama is riddled with beautiful beaches and rain forests, sometimes it just feels good to get out of the tropical climate without having to leave the country.  There are some mountain communities that provide this escape, but a place called La Yeguada really transfers you from Panama’s tropical climate and landscape to a setting that would more likely be found in the Colorado Rockies.  Centered around a small lake lined with pine trees and boulders, La Yeguada is the perfect low-key escape to whisk you to another place and climate without leaving the confines of the isthmus.

La Yeguada is part of a forest reserve that was created to protect the lake, La Laguna de La Yeguada, which has been used for hydroelectric energy for the past 40 years.  The pine forest, creating the forest reserve, was planted over 30 years ago, and these trees are really what transports you to an alpine setting.  The area has picturesque rivers and streams along with beautiful waterfalls.  The lake has wonderful swimming, and a 50-foot tower in the middle of the water serves as a great diving board for those adrenaline junkies out there.  The climate is dry, with pleasant days and cool nights. Read more »

(2 votes, average: 3 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Country Guide on November 21st, 2009 | No Comments »

will national parks such as Pedasi’s Isla Iguana become a focal point?

With another tourism forum on the horizon (see end of article), I thought it was time for me to review my notes of the annual AMCHAM tourism forum, which was held in September of this year.  Nancy Hannah, the chair of the tourism committee at Panama’s AMCHAM, put together another successful and well attended tourism forum in Panama City.  The event took place at the Miramar hotel.  This was the fourth such event that I have attended and as somebody who has worked in tourism in Costa Rica for over a decade and in Panama for six years, my expectations for the event and perspective on its value are likely different than from other attendees.  That being said, here were my impressions of the forum. Read more »

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Business, Politics on November 18th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

The idea of Isla Coiba is like something created in fiction. A 500 square kilometer island surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs on the Pacific coast of the Americas with an ecosystem comparable to the Galapagos.  Combine the ecological wonder with the fact the island was an operational no-cell penal colony until 1994 and you have an adventurer’s dream.

Isla Coiba is Panama’s rawer version of San Francisco’s Alcatraz.  A prison set on an island guarded by heavy currents and shark-infested waters making escape nearly impossible.  Where Alcatraz also has hypothermic waters added to the mix, Isla Coiba has thick, dense jungle interrupted only by brackish rivers and lagoons inhabited by jumbo-sized crocodiles.  Isla Coiba really starts to get spicy when you add in the factor prisoners were set loose between four isolated prison camps with the prison guards locking themselves into cells at night for their own protection. Read more »

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Country Guide, Culture on October 26th, 2009 | No Comments »

There are a few things to remember when losing or getting your passport stolen in Panama.  The first is to not do it on a weekend.  The second is to not do it on an American holiday.  The third is to not do it on a weekend followed by an American holiday, with plans to fly out on said holiday.  A friend who was recently visiting was kind enough to do all of the above in order to let the rest of the population know exactly what to do in such a situation. Read more »

(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: News on October 16th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

Kuanidup Island

Ever since I first visited the San Blas Islands, I have been convinced that this large archipelago in the Caribbean makes Panama special.  A different palm strewn island for every day of the year, owned and governed by a native population and affordably available to the public – sounds like a dream.  My convictions were recently confirmed by a weekend escape to the beautiful island of Kuanidup, located 40 minutes by boat from the airport laden island of El Porvenir. Read more »

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Country Guide, Reviews on October 15th, 2009 | No Comments »

I recently had the privilege of being a guest for the weekend at one of the beachfront homes in the community of Buenaventura.  This visit was my first to Buenaventura, and after hearing both negative and positive reviews about the community, I was very curious to see and experience it with my own eyes.

Read more »

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Country Guide, Living & Retirement on September 29th, 2009 | 9 Comments »

is an indoor ski resort what Panama tourism needs?

I have compared Panama to Dubai several times in previous articles, rarely intending flattery. After attending the annual AMCHAM Tourism Forum a few weeks ago (report on the way!), it became clear to me that there are two distinctive theories competing for the future direction of Panama tourism. On one hand, there’s what I call the “dressed up Cancun/Dubai” approach and on the other is a Panamanian twist on Costa Rica’s eco/boutique/sustainable model.  I count myself in the latter camp, but I worry that I may be grossly out numbered and out gunned.

Even as Dubai’s once-heralded economy teeters on the brink of disaster, Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli echoed the “Panama as Dubai” notion when he rang the opening bell on Wall Street just last week! Read more »

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Business, Politics, Real Estate on September 27th, 2009 | 7 Comments »

Teeny boppers and teeny bopper mothers, get ready to scream because the Jonas Brothers are playing the Figali Convention Center in Panama City on October 28^th, 2009.  AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!  Regular ticket sales start today, and if these brothers are as popular as the world says, I would get your tickets fast.

Read more »

(2 votes, average: 3 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Culture, Living & Retirement on September 24th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Sometimes as residents of foreign countries we miss out on some of the opportunities that travelers have.  Sailing from Panama to Colombia is one of these opportunities that seems to only exist within the backpacking world.  However, with increasingly expensive plane tickets to South America and the Darien Gap being too dangerous to cross, hopping on the backpacker trail to bridge this gap from Panama to Colombia provides a lesser-known and more adventurous mode of transportation to our south-eastern neighbor.  The conditions and amenities of this 5-day sailing trip are rustic at best, but it is A.) a unique experience in the San Blas Islands, and B.) provides an exotic and unforgettable trip to Colombia. Read more »

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Country Guide, Living & Retirement, News on September 23rd, 2009 | No Comments »

I often forget about the Caribbean side of Panama.  When the weekend arrives and I am revving up the explorative engine, my mind always thinks Pacific.  Some of this shielded thinking comes from the fact that until fairly recently, the road from Panama City to the Colon area was AWFUL.  A trip that should normally take about an hour would be stretched to 2-3 miserable hours of 10 mph maneuvering through cow-sized potholes with the occasional construction stop.  Now, however, with the new completion of the autopista, taking a day trip to the Caribbean is not only a pleasant experience but opens up a new door of exploration filled with crystal clear waters and coconut infused seafood.

Read more »

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Country Guide on September 18th, 2009 | No Comments »

most tourists have no idea what to expect of Medellin, Colombia

YOU ARE GOING WHERE!?

When I decided to take a vacation to the unlikely destination of Medellin, Colombia, my friends back in the U.S. made the expected sarcastic comments, ranging from inferences that my trip involved finding Pablo Escobar to suspicions of my performing Internet marketing for the cartels.  Funny to the amigos perhaps, but overcoming these notions is a serious challenge that faces Colombian tourism.

Unfortunately, the notions that Medellin (and Colombia in general) is still a dangerous destination remain prevalent.  Colombia has a long way to go in order to overcome the reputation it earned from its anything goes, drug running past.  In recent years, the country has been making an impressive effort to do just that.  As a marketing guy, I appreciate the manner in which the national ad campaigns directly attack the average tourist’s worst fear with the tagline, “The only risk is you’ll want to stay.” Catchy slogan indeed, even if only partly true. Read more »

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Filed under: Business on September 13th, 2009 | 7 Comments »