Unit 6. Other government proposals
6.1. Training
IPAT's training plans, IPAT has developed a plan that involves both institutional and private sector training.
They have focused
The company has invested a large part of its resources in on-site support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the country's interior.
Another of its plans is the development of pilot programs on tourism culture at the community and school levels in selected areas.
These programs are aimed at
to show how tourism activity can benefit the community and the importance of community participation for the development and sustainability of the activity.
On the other hand, IPAT is strengthening ties for technical cooperation with international experts and entities. They are once again working on the Hotel-School Project proposal for the region. They are seeking support from the IDB and the government of Spain for its implementation.
Private companies are also creating training centers that can strengthen practices in the tourism industry. ICT and Cable & Wireless are offering their Net Express project for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs who are interested in training on the use and operation of the Internet and e-commerce, the main tool for tourism companies.
6.2. Current evolution of tourism
In the last 10 years, tourism activity in the Republic of Panama has had a great growth, last year alone, around 865,000 tourists entered the country, which left an approximate income of more than 800 million dollars.
Panama is and has been a center of convergence of different cultures, hence there is a great diversity of customs and traditions that are reflected in the art, clothing and infrastructure of the countries that have participated in the evolution of our country.
The changes that have arisen in the new city of Panama are dramatic and compete with a tireless advance, since 1999 with the departure of U.S. troops and the obtaining of total sovereignty of the country, Panama City has become one of the world's centers of foreigners, creating the second American dream in the south. From 2002 to 2005, 25,000 Canadians have entered the city, 300,000 Colombians live there, 15,000 Jews, and the immigrant population is growing impressively.
Tourism is quite developed in Panama City as the city has famous buildings, landmarks and monuments.
Las Bóvedas, promenade overlooking the Pacific Ocean
The Supreme Court Building and the French Embassy
The Cathedral, in the Plaza de la Catedral;
The National Theater.
Interoceanic Canal Museum;
The gastronomic offer of the city is multiple, since you can find Panamanian, Japanese, Korean, European, Chinese, Caribbean, etc. restaurants. Restaurants can also be found in different environments, including executive restaurants in the business area of the city, typical restaurants, those in the ecotourism zones, as well as international fast food restaurants.
6.3. Hotel investments
Local hotel and tourism growth has been the result of an increase in the global flow of travelers and business travelers. Four years after the economic crisis caused by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the hotel sector and tourism in general have returned to sustained economic growth that is having a positive impact on many countries that depend on these industries.
The Radisson Decapolis, which was inaugurated in July 2004 after an investment of US$25 million, joined the list of hotel investments of the Colombian Decameron group in the country, which in May of this year began the third stage of construction of the Royal Decameron Beach Resort, Golf & Casino in Farallón. With an investment of eight million dollars in addition to the 70 million dollars already invested by Decameron in the last five years, the Playa Blanca resort and its 1,130 rooms will become one of the largest hotels in Central America.
6.4. Panama in the global investment context
Currently, the highest concentration of tourism investments is in the high regions of Chiriqui, Bocas del Toro and the capital city. In this sense, according to data from the Panama Tourism Institute (IPAT), Bocas del Toro is one of the most visited routes by North American and European tourists.
The interest of visitors and investors in the Bocatoreña region is concentrated mainly in Isla Bastimento, Isla Colón, Big Creek and Boca de Drago, sectors where the construction of 9 projects ranging from tourist residences and marinas to shopping centers and hotel complexes is contemplated.
The region of Chiriqui is also equally important for tourism, being in recent years one of the preferred destinations to live, settle and start businesses; areas such as the highlands of Boquete, Volcan, Cerro Punta and the beaches of Alanje, are the ones that have had more tourism boom.
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