Panama City - 18 March 2017: Panama's Head of State announced a strategic investment of 25 million balboas, with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank, for the national parks of Coiba, Portobelo, San Lorenzo and Volcán Barú.
An important step in the development of nature tourism in Panama was launched with the signing by the President Juan Carlos Varela of two Decrees that will regulate concessions and services in the protected areas of the country. President Varela, who was with part of his team at the top of the Barú Volcano, said that this area has much to offer, even as a tourist destination and with the new measures it will be strengthened further at the global level.
The decrees signed by the President and the Minister of Environment, Mirei Endara, will provide concrete and immediate benefits to the development of tourism in these areas.
"These decrees will allow us to offer greater security to people who do tourism, for example in Volcán, as they will be signs and security structures for visitors”, said Varela. Likewise, he emphasised that with these concrete actions "we have culminated the planning part and the legal gear to be a competitive destination worldwide”, to realise the investments in infrastructure and logistics that give the visitors a memorable and world class experience. "Green tourism is the fastest growing in the world and Panama has the characteristics to position itself as one of the best destinations in the world for its geographical position, with connectivity and diverse natural areas”, said the President.
For her part, the Minister of the Environment Mirei Endara said that with the signing of the Executive Decree that regulates the concessions in protected tourist areas, the aim is to define clear rules so that the private sector can develop projects for restaurants, lodging, camps, and trails, among others. Endara, who announced her retirement as Minister of Environment, as of 31 March, for personal reasons, said that with these decrees the activity is strengthened without damaging protected areas. The signed Decrees recognise the Legal Status of Community-Based Organisations and regulate Tourism Services Concessions in Protected Areas.
The Tourism sector sees with good eyes this executive measure and for Jorge Tovar, president of the Chamber of Tourism of Chiriquí, it is a great opportunity for the development in this province “as it is necessary to take advantage of these advantages of Panama”.
He emphasised that the measures taken by the present Administration are focused on strengthening the sector, preserving the ecological factors of our areas. Plinio Montenegro, President of the Guides Association, said that the Government is taking all measures to strengthen green tourism.