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Panama is turning more and more to entertainment with a profitable investment, like casinos. Therefore, a lot of entrepreneurs are trying to make the country into the “Las Vegas of Latin America”.
Last year in the isthmus, casinos generated revenues that surpassed $600 million dollars from only their gaming machines, which gives this proposal even more weight. This is without considering the international concerts, which brought in profits of $100.000 and up to one million dollars.
Alfredo Arias, of ShowPro, pointed out that one of his dreams is to see Panama transformed into the “Las Vegas of Latin America”.
In Las Vegas, named the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, from the moment the tourist gets off the plane, there are more than forty activities to be enjoyed, “that is what should be done in Panama and precisely that is where the effort is being directed” expressed Arias.
In our country lots of different events are being held simultaneously and this makes us an interesting destination, he emphasized.
Alfredo Arias, of ShowPro, pointed out that one of his dreams is to see Panama transformed into the “Las Vegas of Latin America”.
In Las Vegas, named the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, from the moment the tourist gets off the plane, there are more than forty activities to be enjoyed, “that is what should be done in Panama and precisely that is where the effort is being directed” expressed Arias.
In our country lots of different events are being held simultaneously and this makes us an interesting destination, he emphasized.
Unlike Las Vegas, we have many other points of interest such as the banking industry as well as shopping areas and beaches, he expressed.
“We have to start working on the entertainment industry, so when the tourist arrives, he can learn about these benefits”, he added.
We have to focus on the casinos because they are a fundamental part of this industry, he stated.
Casinos.
“We have to start working on the entertainment industry, so when the tourist arrives, he can learn about these benefits”, he added.
We have to focus on the casinos because they are a fundamental part of this industry, he stated.
Casinos.
Currently in Panama, there are more than fifteen casinos which have paid the State $4.3 million dollars in this year’s first trimester, according to figures provided by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).
The MEF, also mentioned that four more casinos are in negotiations to be able to operate and if this is granted, they would add revenues of $4 million dollars a year.
The MEF, also mentioned that four more casinos are in negotiations to be able to operate and if this is granted, they would add revenues of $4 million dollars a year.
Jaime Campuzano, vice-president of the Chamber of Tourism, expressed that more important than the figures is that this industry, not only offers gambling, but shows, nightclubs and restaurants which makes them complete entertainment centers.
Ernesto Orillac, consultant to the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), pointed out that most of these casinos are located in hotels that have more than 300 rooms.
This translates as an added value to the hotel infrastructure, he indicated.
For people in the cruise industry like Olga Jimenez, president of Royal Caribbean Panama, the shows will add an interesting option for the visitors from other nations.
For travelers in “one of the 3,400 beds that pass through Panama”, they will be able to visit, for example, The Terracotta Soldiers exhibition without the need of going to Washington DC., for which an American visa is required, she concluded.
Source: PAdigital.com.pa
Author: Dimar Díaz Nieto
Con la presencia del vicepresidente de la República, Juan Carlos Varela, ministros de estados, distinguidas personalidades del ámbito empresarial nacional e internacional, Grupo Poma, propietario de la cadena Real Hotels & Resorts inauguró oficialmente el Hotel Courtyard By Marriott Panamá Metromall. La velada inaugural inició con las palabras de Ricardo Poma, presidente del grupo, quien destacó que este hotel es el primero de corte internacional en el distrito de San Miguelito. Luego del corte de cinta la selecta concurrencia disfrutó un variado coctel, entre amenas conversaciones y expresiones de buenos deseos.
Fuente: La Estrella.com.pa
Autor: María Elizabeth Morales
The New York – David flight arrives in fifteen minutes. This phrase will no longer be the result of a fantasy.Since last Friday, Aeroperlas airlines initiated direct connections from different parts of the world to Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro airports, but this is not all, by the end of July flights to Chitre airport will be added.
Nestor Echevers, General Manager of Aeroperlas, explained that an air shuttle has been established between Tocumen International Airport and Marcos A.Gelabert International Airport in Albrook.
He indicated that passengers from international flights from Tocumen will be picked up two times a day in order for them to visit the turistic sites of David and Bocas del Toro.
He added that these visitors will be transported by air route to Albrook, where they can board one of Aeroperlas’ trips.
Salomon Shamah, minister of the Tourism Authority, pointed out, that when arriving at a country with tourist plans, everyone looks for accessible destinations.
This is where Panama City is winning, but the inner regions of the country, because of their lack of connectivity are losing, he added. The fact that Aeroperlas in now flying to these destinations allowed it to be part of a system called GDS (Global Distribution System), he emphasized.
He explained, as an example that a German visitor who wants to go to Colon Island, instead of buying a ticket that reads Berlin – Madrid – Madrid – Panama, now only has to ask for a ticket Berlin – Colon Island.
With this initiative there will be access to tourists arriving with their funds which will translate as financial gains for these regions, he concluded.
Source: PAdigital
Author: Diamar Díaz Nieto
The Panamanian Augusto López was sent to the playoffs. Sonia Garcia and Samantha Alonso are still in the competition in Venao.
Yesterday the Uruguayan Marco Giorgi and the Brazilian Silvana Lima, had some good moments at the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games. The Panamanians fought to stay in the competition.
The event is being held at Venao beach, province of Los Santos.
The Panamanians Delvis Godoy and Jean Carlos González are still competing in the event. Both were able to make it to the next round of playoffs after obtaining second place in their corresponding categories, competing against athletes from Ecuador and Switzerland.
Godoy competed against Jonathan Chila and Cyril Inauen, who obtained 14.50 points and 4.70 points, respectively. The Panamanian received 8.76 points.
Meanwhile, González opponents where Carlos Goncalves, who obtained 15.00 points and Stefan Vogel, who ended third in this category with 6.20 points.
Gary Saavedra, 13 times national champion, was unable to continue in the main event. Gary competed in this category against the Uruguayan Marco Giorgi, who in this same category against the Panamanian obtained the day’s best point combination: 17.10 points. The Australian Thomas Woods gained the second place with 13.20 points and Gary ended third with 7.76 points. Gary now enters the playoffs were he competes against Nathan Hedge, from Australia, Tereva David from Haiti and Joe Suarez from Puerto Rico.
(Information provided by: Organizing committee)
The town of Pedasí showed the world our culture and tradition in a parade and ceremony, which culminated with the National Anthem’s musical notes.
This Saturday the town of Pedasí, dressed in gala to receive 35 worldwide sports delegations to participate in the World Surfing Games.
Entering town, one could admire the different visiting country’s flags that were adorning the lodging sites. “This site won’t change for a few days” a local expressed, since this event won’t be over until July 2nd.
The town’s residents seem happy “it’s an immense joy for the locals”, says a villager. “It’s an opportunity to be seen by the whole world and for them to get to know our culture and traditions”, another one expressed.
A Visit Around Town
The day before the parade, we visited around town to get the locals point of view. Mrs. Elena Barahona, in charge of the ‘Petra Antonia Díaz de Moscoso’ Library, tells us that the town is very excited about this parade and that through meetings in the Library, with the corresponding authorities, they have agreed to dress in traditional clothes.
We also spoke with Mrs. Yira Jiménez, she makes ‘tembleques’ (tremblings, name given to traditional hair accessories because of their movement) and says that this parade “is something unique which everybody is awaiting”. “The town of Pedasí doesn’t talk about anything else, this is a very happy moment”, she expresses. Traditional food will be sold and it was agreed with the restaurants that they do likewise.
”All of this activity will benefit the town’s economy”, she assured.
Later on, in the entrance to the Hotel Casa de Campo (where the press conference was held) we met with Mrs. Neri Moscoso and Mrs. Marila Moscoso, both in charge of an exhibition of traditional skirts, tembleques (traditional hair accessories) and textile art designs to make skirts with, among other beautiful traditional objects of Panama. They express their joy about all these activities, and “to be able to show our tradition to the worldwide media as well as to the visitors”.
In the press conference Tutti de León, Organizer, assured and clearly stated that all the investment and installation of optical fiber to provide internet for the event will be kept by this town for its use
NATIONS PARADE AND CEREMONY OF THE SANDS
The parade started at four thirty in the afternoon with the musical band of the school of Pedasí and after them came each of the different countries sports delegations with their flags, accompanied by children dressed in typical attire. Between every third sports delegation, something typical from the area (like skirts, traditional “tamborito” dance and devil dances) paraded by.
The “Ceremony of the Sands” took place in the main platform, which consisted of each of the delegations bringing a little bit of sand from their beaches and placing it in a common container, in this way signifying “world union through surf”. Panama brought sand from Venao Beach, the place where this tournament is being held.
Entering town, one could admire the different visiting country’s flags that were adorning the lodging sites. “This site won’t change for a few days” a local expressed, since this event won’t be over until July 2nd.
The town’s residents seem happy “it’s an immense joy for the locals”, says a villager. “It’s an opportunity to be seen by the whole world and for them to get to know our culture and traditions”, another one expressed.
A Visit Around Town
The day before the parade, we visited around town to get the locals point of view. Mrs. Elena Barahona, in charge of the ‘Petra Antonia Díaz de Moscoso’ Library, tells us that the town is very excited about this parade and that through meetings in the Library, with the corresponding authorities, they have agreed to dress in traditional clothes.
We also spoke with Mrs. Yira Jiménez, she makes ‘tembleques’ (tremblings, name given to traditional hair accessories because of their movement) and says that this parade “is something unique which everybody is awaiting”. “The town of Pedasí doesn’t talk about anything else, this is a very happy moment”, she expresses. Traditional food will be sold and it was agreed with the restaurants that they do likewise.
”All of this activity will benefit the town’s economy”, she assured.
Later on, in the entrance to the Hotel Casa de Campo (where the press conference was held) we met with Mrs. Neri Moscoso and Mrs. Marila Moscoso, both in charge of an exhibition of traditional skirts, tembleques (traditional hair accessories) and textile art designs to make skirts with, among other beautiful traditional objects of Panama. They express their joy about all these activities, and “to be able to show our tradition to the worldwide media as well as to the visitors”.
In the press conference Tutti de León, Organizer, assured and clearly stated that all the investment and installation of optical fiber to provide internet for the event will be kept by this town for its use
NATIONS PARADE AND CEREMONY OF THE SANDS
The parade started at four thirty in the afternoon with the musical band of the school of Pedasí and after them came each of the different countries sports delegations with their flags, accompanied by children dressed in typical attire. Between every third sports delegation, something typical from the area (like skirts, traditional “tamborito” dance and devil dances) paraded by.
The “Ceremony of the Sands” took place in the main platform, which consisted of each of the delegations bringing a little bit of sand from their beaches and placing it in a common container, in this way signifying “world union through surf”. Panama brought sand from Venao Beach, the place where this tournament is being held.
The platform was filled with folklore presentations such as a dance named “el punto”, another named “tamborito”, carnival music and “saloma” (typical voice sounds with no lyrics). One could observe the visitors happily enjoying the show.
The Minister of tourism, Salomón Shamah, gave a worldwide welcome. “Welcome! Look atwhat the waves have broughtt us today. A wave is the most powerful thing in the world, this is what I have been seeing and learning in the last two years, how surf brings wonderful things, just with one wave of the ocean. Nothing else is needed, just the salt water’s strength creating a wave, to create a sport, to create an investment, to create tourism, to create wealth and above everything to create world union. All of this is created by only one wave, so I would like to give an applause to all the waves in the world, that have brought all of you here today”, Shamah said.
With the conclusion of the parade and the “Ceremony of the Sands” the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games were officially inaugurated.
Source: La Prensa
Author: Denisse Gonzalez
