my picks for Panama deal seekers
There may be a global financial crisis going on, but if Panama’s real estate asking prices are any indicator, that memo never made it to Panama.
During the Panama real estate boom of 2005-2007, crowds of investors were playing fast and loose with money like a sailor on shore leave.  [...]

Filed under: Business, Real Estate on March 30th, 2010 | 2 Comments »

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 [...]

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 [...]

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.  [...]

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 [...]

Filed under: Business on January 19th, 2010 | 3 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 [...]

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

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 [...]

Filed under: Business, Politics, Real Estate on September 27th, 2009 | 9 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 [...]

Filed under: Business on September 13th, 2009 | 9 Comments »

rent prices in Panama City, Panama are falling
When I first came to Panama in 2004, I was impressed by the affordable the cost of living for such a cosmopolitan town.  I rented a spacious, fairly new, furnished, ocean-glimpse apartment in El Cangrejo with for $600 per month. In 2004, a beer at the neighborhood bar [...]

Filed under: Business, Real Estate on August 31st, 2009 | 17 Comments »

Panama put the real estate cart before the tourism horse
For the past 5 years, I have shouted to the rafters my beliefs on the vital role that tourism must play in Panama’s economic development.  When putting forth this concept here in Panama, I am often met with the following reactions:

Blank stares
Laughter
Anger

Some of these reactions seem [...]

Filed under: Business, Politics, Real Estate on August 27th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

Panama is rife with investment opportunities
Despite what CNN may tell us, I know that not EVERYBODY out there lost their shirt in this recent economic meltdown.  Indeed, some of you eggheads are sitting darned pretty.  You go, you mini-Soros you!  Let me guess, you were probably that kid from highschool, who while the jocks were [...]

Filed under: Business on August 24th, 2009 | No Comments »

Panama tourism needs a minister who is crazy for change
Dear Mr. Shamah:
“Los Locos Somos” was a great slogan for President Martinelli’s campaign.  I heard that you and your advertising team were behind that concept.  As a fellow marketing guy, I am hoping that you and I speak the same language.  Despite our differences of [...]

Filed under: Business, News, Politics on August 13th, 2009 | 13 Comments »

Panama City’s Skyline Growth Is Slowing
As Panama’s real estate boom teeters ever closer towards a little town I call “Bustville”, I am amazed by those in denial, who still shout to the rafters such brilliant defense as, “the fundamentals are still strong!” or “this is a different market”. These and other lines are too reminiscent [...]

Filed under: Business, Real Estate on August 10th, 2009 | 9 Comments »

Over the past six years, I’ve poured my personal life savings into various businesses and properties Panama.  Lately, I’ve had moments when I’m not completely sure WHY.
Now that this global financial crunch has turned many investor’s lives upside down, I’ve had my own time to pause and re-think my strategy for investing in Panama.  I’ve [...]

Filed under: Business, News, Real Estate on May 4th, 2009 | 4 Comments »

View of Panama City from Casco Viejo
As I approach my mid-30s, in addition to a nagging rotator cuff and vanishing hairline, I have also lived long enough to witness three economic downturns.  My first experience was the stock market collapse of 1987.  I remember “Black Monday” distinctly, because my 8th grade Civics teacher spent the [...]

Filed under: Business, Living & Retirement, Politics, Real Estate on April 6th, 2009 | 22 Comments »