“This year, about five thousand people will be hired in hotels, therefore, investment and training are priorities for strengthening the tourism sector”, said Sara Pardo, President of the Panamanian Association of Hotels (APATEL).

 

Pardo noted that it is necessary to work with tourism associations and authorities in order to achieve better results and position the country as a destination for tourists. She also noted that an investment of $611.9 million for the hotel industry is projected in 2011.

 

To capture the attention of those interested in working in the tourism sector, Pardo explained that they are participating in conjunction with the Ministry of Education on the "Adopt a School" program. The goal is to provide training at 20 educational centers in the fields of tourism, hospitality and visitor attention.

 

This program seeks to train students about hotels and motivate them to seek employment in the sector after they have completed their studies.

 

Hotels currently participating in the program include: The Crown Golf & Resort, The Country Inn Amador, The Crowne Plaza, The Four Points by Sheraton, Gamboa Rainforest, The Gran Hotel Azuero, Holiday Inn, La Casa del Risco, Le Meridien, Miramar Intercontinental, and several others.

 

The Tourism Authority of Panama is aware of the importance of the development of tourism within the interior of our country. They have launched campaign entitled, "Discover your Interior", which promotes this area of the country with affordable rates and support for destinations like Boquete, Pedasí, Veraguas, and many others that can be visited by local and foreign tourists alike. This program is designed to enhance and promote the beauty of the Panamanian interior.

 

The first destination to be promoted during this campaign was El Valle de Anton with a promotion entitled “Discover the Interior, Get Away to the Valley. This event, which will run until October, will boost the economy of the region, and provide affordable rates for visitors who wish to enjoy some of the beautiful destinations that Coclé Province has to offer.

 

The next destination included in this campaign is Bocas del Toro, with its Bocas Combo being one of the tourist destinations for both foreign and domestic visitors. This region of the country offers visitors a wide array of activities and locations to enjoy, including: beautiful natural environments, unique beaches perfect for sunbathing and surfing, wonderful food and islands that beckon you to come and escape. This campaign is the result of agreements between the ATP, the Bocas del Toro Chamber of Tourism, and Aeroperlas. It aims to help both Panamanian and foreign visitors enjoy this destination at affordable prices, with range of excellent hotels to choose from. With an expected operating period of five months, this incentive program offers accommodations at 20 different hotels with promotional prices from $240.00 per person, including roundtrip airfare, accommodations with breakfast, and taxes. The packages include two nights and three days with an option of up to 4 nights and 5 days, varying according to the time selected and the cost of the hotel. It also offers discounts of 15% at participating restaurants and tour operators.

 

As indicated by the slogan of this promotion“The Bocas has never been so close”, a single traveler needs only some time off and a booking to enjoy an excellent stay that includes guaranteed relaxation, a beautiful destination, comfortable atmosphere, friendly people, and a unique regional cuisine. The program will contribute, enhance and promote the efforts of private enterprise in this region to offer an affordable opportunity for all those wishing to visit The Bocas and improve the region's economy.

El presidente de la República, Ricardo Martinelli y la primera dama, Marta Linares de Martinelli, se reunieron –este jueves 21 de julio- con el actor y director norteamericano Mel Gibson, quien habló de su interés de apoyar a los niños panameños con problemas congénitos para que sean operados en hospitales de Estados Unidos.

 

Se informó que el actor –quien ha visitado el país en varias ocasiones- está muy entusiasmado con este proyecto de apoyar a Panamá con este tipo de operaciones que muchas veces no pueden ser costeadas por las familias de los niños afectados.

 

Mel Gibson, principal benefactor de la fundación Mending Kids International, adelantó que su equipo de trabajo sostendrá -a partir de este viernes 22 de julio- reuniones de seguimiento con el Despacho de la Primera Dama para coordinar cómo será el mecanismo de ayuda de los casos de niños que sean beneficiados con este programa.

 

En la reunión estuvieron presentes: el ministro de Salud,  Franklin Vergara; el director de la Caja de Seguro Social, Guillermo Saez-Llorens y la Secretaria de Asuntos Sociales de la Presidencia, Dayra  Fábrega.