12 Things the Tourism Ministry Accomplished in the 1st 100 Days

12 Things the Tourism Ministry Accomplished in the First 100 Days

WHAT THE TOURISM MINISTRY ACCOMPLISHED IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS

Representing Amcham, I recently attended Tourism Minister Salomon Shamah's presentation about what ATP accomplished in the first 100 days. These are my unofficial notes.
Nancy

1. No more passing through migration when you leave Panama! As of mid-November, Panama will be the first country in Latin America to use the same system as the USA and Europe- when you leave Panama you will no longer go through immigration, just a baggage security check. The extra immigration officers will now all be used to shorten lines for immigration for incoming passengers. No worries. The will be an "invisible immigration" via plane ticket reservations as is one in the USA and Europe.

2. A Tourism Hotline will soon be up to give info, advise and emergency help. Operators speak English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.If a tourist is in an emergency or difficult situation, ATP will send a person from ATP to help the tourist.

3. The tourist card has been eliminated! It was a hassle for airlines and tourists alike- the $5 will now be charged when a air ticket is bought..

4. A "Panama 25% Off" low season campaign which brought hundreds of tourist to Panama through a discount program organized with the private sector and promoted by ATP.

5. A project has begun for all the "Casco Viejos" in the provincial cities which will be restored and made into tourism attractions. It has a begun with David's Casco Viejo which includes the church and a museum

6. A tourism signage project has started beginning with Boquete and Bocas which will help tourists get around town and to the main sights.

7. With the help of ATP, Google maps of the country are being set up to help tourist find their way around the country.

8. Four new charter flights will begin in November from Canada.

9. A top tourism security expert has been hired by ATP who is holding meeting with hotels and other tourism groups to educate them on how to provide safety to tourists.

10. A new convention center is being planned in Amador. Atlapa is being better maintained and continues to be used for international conventions. Minister Shamah recently arranged for a 1000 member conference of a USA high tech company to come to Panama next year and hold their event at Atlapa.

11. After Minister Shamah saw a video made by the top world surfing organization which showed Bocas del Toro best surfing beaches with garbage piled everywhere, ATP help organize with the new mayor of Bocas, organized for a major Bocas beach garbage clean up.

12. A publicity agreement was signed with the Golf Channel and Panama will be promoted as a golf destination


Nancy Hanna

Presidente y Fundadora de Panamainfo.com

Information Provided by Panama Info Tourism Guide