i also attended the conference and came away with the same notions as you. this was my first tourism conference in panama.

in today’s la prensa there is an article about visitor numbers being down in 2009 as compared to 2008. of course, there is the usual prediction that numbers would be back up in 2010.

i am concerned as to what effect the higher airport taxes ($40) and tourism cards ($10) will have on visitor numbers. the world is still in the midst of a recession that will persist into 2010.

it seems that panama isn’t too worried about adding $50 per passenger to the cost of a plane ticket. i am interested in your opinion and those of your readers.

gregorio, el gringo