Strategic Alliance Promotes Panama As Tourist Destination

Washington, D.C. - As part of an alliance with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the government of Panama and the National Geographic Society (NGS), a Panama Adventure Map was publicly unveiled at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Panama's President, Martin Torrijos Espino and the U.S. Ambassador to Panama William A. Eaton participated in the event.

The objective of this alliance is to highlight Panama's place in the tourism market for people interested in history, ecology, archaeology, bird watching, and sport recreation. The map was produced by National Geographic with funding from USAID and Panama's National Tourism Bureau (IPAT).

More broadly this effort showcases the importance of strategic alliances between the national government, private business, and USAID that will in turn attract sustainable tourism to Panama's protected areas.

USAID Director to Panama, Kermit C. Moh said, "USAID assistance in producing an adventure map for Panama through National Geographic contributes to the government of Panama's vision of developing tourism as an opportunity for economic development, diversification, and growth in related activities."

A waterproof version of the map will identify areas with the most interest for tourists such as Kuna Yala, Las Perlas Archipelago, and the Panama Canal. The map will be translated into languages other than English and will be available through National Geographic channels.

A companion guide book, National Geographic Traveler: Panama, will be released in the fall.

"The National Geographic Society is delighted to have worked with the government of Panama, the Panamanian Tourism Bureau (IPAT), and the U.S. Agency for International Development to develop the NGS adventure map and traveler guide for Panama," said NGS Senior Vice President of International Licensing and Alliances, Robert Hernandez. "They will make Panama and its extraordinary natural and cultural resources better known among global audiences."

Panama Canal Expansion

For all the panamanians this inversion in the Panama Canal it's very important. Our future depends of that. Here, I find this information about the Canal expansion in Wikipedia:

"The Third Set of Locks Project is a megaproject that will expand the Panama Canal more so than any previous expansion since the Canal's construction. The Panama Canal Authority proposed the project after years of study. Panamanian President Martín Torrijos presented the plan on April 24, 2006 and Panamanian citizens approved it in a national referendum by 76.8% of votes on October 22, 2006. The project will double the canal's capacity and allow more traffic.
The project will create a new lane of traffic along the Canal by constructing a new set of locks. Details of the project include the following integrated components:
Construction of two lock complexes — one on the Atlantic side and another on the Pacific side — each with three chambers, which include three water-saving basins;
Excavation of new access channels to the new locks and the widening of existing navigational channels; and,
Deepening of the navigation channels and the elevation of Gatun Lake’s maximum operating level.[1]
As stipulated by the Panamanian Constitution, any project to expand the Canal had to be approved by the Cabinet, the National Assembly and by a referendum[2]. On Friday July 14, the National Assembly unanimously approved the proposal. In addition, the Assembly passed a law mandating a national referendum on the proposal. The referendum was held on October 22, 2006, the first Sunday more than 90 days after National Assembly approval.[3]"

I don't understand why so many panamanians said "No" in the last Referendum for this project (They lost but it's worrying). What is in their minds? The politicians used the Referendum as a thermometer for their aspirations in the next Campaign. Sad