COMPANY NEWS
Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism 2020-2025
"The Sustainable Tourism Master Plan is a differentiation strategy, through innovation and sustainability, that highlights the natural and cultural heritage of Panama," said the Minister of Tourism of Panama, Ivan Eskildsen. "Our assets offer a safe value in the current uncertain world environment, which is expected to be very competitive and to which our country responds with the strength of its authenticity".
The plan reactivates Panama's Tourism, Conservation and Research (TCI) strategy that was applied more than 20 years ago by the prestigious ecologist Dr. Hana Ayala. The TCI Strategy places the country's conservation and sustainability efforts at the forefront, along with its unique nature, culture, and historic offerings, and capitalizes on the overall safety that Panama offers.
The updated heritage routes strategy now features three focus areas: cultural heritage, green heritage, and blue heritage. Comprised of 19 circuits that tell the stories of Panama, the plan was developed through extensive analysis and research conducted in multiple workshops with the help of local and international consultants, including the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), the academic team of the Biomuseo, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Culture, the Panamanian tourism industry and other key organizations.
The Heritage Routes are unique in what they offer:
Cultural Heritage: Narrates the history of Panama as the Bridge of the World, connecting world-class attractions such as the Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage), the world-famous Panama Canal, the first interoceanic railway, among others. In addition, the cultural circuits show the multicultural diversity of Panama, offering experiences through the three main cultures of Panama: its 7 living indigenous groups, its Afro-Panamanian heritage, including the culture of the Congo (UNESCO Intangible Heritage) and its colorful culture. Spanish colonial. Panama's cultural diversity is also experienced in its gastronomy, with UNESCO recognizing Panama City as a creative city in gastronomy.
Green Heritage: Since the Isthmus of Panama was formed 3 million years ago, there has been a great exchange of species between North and South America, providing the country with extraordinary biodiversity: it is home to more species of birds, reptiles, mammals and trees than the United States and Canada together. The Green Heritage routes take the visitor through National Parks, protected areas and private reserves in the neotropical rainforest of Panama (one third of the country is protected), including experiences through the visitor centers of the Smithsonian Institute for Tropical Research, one of which is the Barro Colorado Natural Monument in the Panama Canal basin, considered the most studied tropical forest in the world.
Blue Heritage: Three million years ago, with the creation of the Isthmus of Panama land bridge, the Caribbean and Pacific oceans separated, becoming two different oceans in terms of tides, climate, and marine fauna. The experiences offered in the various ecosystems on the Blue Heritage routes include whale watching in the surroundings of the Coiba National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the admiration of turtle conservation projects in the Pacific Ocean. , as well as the exploration of the turquoise Caribbean waters of Bocas del Toro, recognized as a “Hope Spot” by Mission Blue, the initiative led by Dr. Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer.
Panama's PMTS renews the country's tourism strategy and hopes for a progressive reactivation of the industry after the pandemic. The first international appointment of the destination for the relaunch of tourism was the Experience Panama Expo, a virtual fair that took place from September 25-27, 2020, with local exhibitors and international buyers, and also coincides with a virtual meeting of ministers of the region.
The PMTS also includes an important component of community tourism, which is connected to a flagship project of the administration of Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo - Plan Colmena, which seeks to improve the development of the 300 municipalities with the greatest socioeconomic vulnerability in the country. Paradoxically, some of these communities have a rich natural and cultural heritage, and they are mainly indigenous and Afro-Panamanian communities. These communities can offer the most demanding travelers the interaction with authentic and living cultures, which are surrounded by pristine ecosystems, within the Heritage Routes.
The five-year plan focused on the reactivation of the country's tourism industry represents an estimated investment of US $ 301.9 million that includes investments made through the Tourism Promotion Fund (PROMTUR), and financed with a loan approved with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
ANCON needs your help!
ANCON needs your precious help in order to protect and preserve Panama’s rich nature and biodiversity, particularly in areas under continuous unsustainable threats of deforestation, fires and illegal hunting. Your contribution will help safeguard the Punta Patiño Natural Reserve in the eco-region of the Darien Chocó, an area rich in biodiversity and unique species.
Punta Patiño in Darién is the first and largest private natural reserve in Panamá with an extension of over 30,000 hectares (86,000 acres) and a range of ecosystems such as mangroves, beaches, dry forests (scarce in Panama) and humid forests. The reserve is home to a variety of endangered species like the jaguar, puma, harpy eagle, carey turtles among others.
Once you have made an online donation, you’ll receive a certificate with your name and be able to see in the map of the Reserve, the number of hectare (s) you are preserving.
Click HERE to donate!
Thank you beforehand for your support!
NEW TOUR OFFER!
Join us on our new Panama Multi Sport Adventure (FIT basis) on fun active and outdoor tour activities from the Panama Canal area, Caribbean rainforest, highlands of Chiriqui and Pacific Ocean.
More information at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
!
EARLY CARTOGRAPHY OF PANAMA & DARIEN
Hernan Arauz on video: click here
PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 2010
Hernan Arauz in Washington, DC
Maps, history and a passion for the outdoors
Panama, September 15, 2010
It is with great pleasure that we inform you that Hernan Arauz, Senior Naturalist Guide and company co-founder, was awarded a grant presented by the United States Library of Congress’ Kislak Fellowship for American Studies to pursue and complete his research on Descriptive and Interpretative Carto-Bibliography of the Maps of Panama and Darien from XVI Century to 1865.
The fellowship will offer Hernan full access to the Library’s extensive map collection and related documents. Hernan will be moving to Washington, D.C. for 4 months from where he will direct his research work.
Hernan’s project had to compete for the Kislak Fellowship with 30 other notable researchers from around the globe. It is a great honor for Hernan to have become a Kislak Fellow. At Ancon Expeditions of Panama we are proud and honored for his accomplishment.
Hernan is a graduate from American University’s School of International Service.
Widely regarded as one of Latin America´s best, Hernan’s calling as a naturalist guide emerged 20 years ago with the founding of Panama´s first ecotourism business.
From a family of renowned scientists and explorers, Hernan´s pioneering expeditions into Panama´s eastern jungles marked him as an extraordinary leader and expert naturalist. He is a veteran of 7 Trans Darién Expeditions, including the first one transmitted over the Internet, and over 350 tours to Barro Colorado Nature Reserve. The author of Lonely Planet Travel Guide to Panama names Hernán as one of three men with whom he would trust his life.
Known not only as an expert generalist guide, Hernan also specializes in birding tours for the largest operators in the US and Europe. With a Panama bird list exceeding 960 species, including representatives from North and South America and 12 endemics, Hernan takes great pride in calling down many birds and identifying most.
For Hernan, every visit to Panama is a new opportunity to share his deep passion for Panama´s natural and cultural history. He is equally at home birding the foothills of Cana in the Darien as the highlands of Chiriqui, trekking the jungles of Darien, diving the San Blas islands, or evoking Panama´s pirate stories in mossy Caribbean ruins.
Hernan will be back in Panama next January to continue leading trips into Panama’s most formidable natural destinations celebrating his 20th season as naturalist guide.