| It's no surprise Panama is currently having a bonanza | | | | Panama uses the US dollar system, Panama's been |
| of a year in tourism. Not only does the country boast | | | | able to safely ride out the international recession. |
| pristine beaches, picture perfect rainforests and | | | | "Panama's yet to make its tourist mark, but it's |
| virtually no travel time between the two, Panama's | | | | something that's happening quite fast," said the General |
| transit and telecommunications infrastructures are | | | | Administrator of Panama's Tourism Authority, Salomon |
| outstanding. As an affordable, yet exotic place to | | | | Shamah. Though Mr Shamah's expectations are still a |
| travel, these modern qualities are placing Panama | | | | ways away from being reached, he said foreign |
| leagues ahead of other Central and South American | | | | investment and infrastructure are two factors which |
| vacation destinations. | | | | are contributing enormously to the country reaching its |
| One region in particular - Pedasi, in the Los Santos | | | | goals. |
| province, situated on the Central Pacific coast of | | | | Toward that end, Mr Shamah and the Ministry of |
| Panama -- is making significant economic gains as a | | | | Tourism celebrated the inauguration of scheduled |
| popular tourist destination. The rich campesino tradition | | | | Aeroperlas flights into Pedasi, which are expected to |
| of the Los Santos province, growing corn, sugar cane, | | | | generate a significant rise in tourism activity, and further |
| rice, coffee and raising livestock, offers visitors a | | | | attract investment into the area. |
| welcome respite from the bustle of Panama City, only | | | | Located at the tip of the Azuero Peninsula, Pedasi is a |
| about 4 hours away by car. | | | | veritable tourist playground. One can go hiking, |
| Idyllic, picturesque, unbroken: these are the words often | | | | birdwatching, sport fishing, sailing, surfing, kayaking, |
| used to describe the landscape of of the Azuero | | | | snorkeling, and scuba diving. The nearby capital of Las |
| Peninsula, on whose south end sits Pedasi. The rustic | | | | Tablas is famous for its traditional carnival parties, |
| coastline is dominated by rolling fertile hills, which slope | | | | annual fiestas with a rich history dating back more than |
| gently toward the Pacific. Air temperature never really | | | | 200 years. With crime rates being some of the lowest |
| drops below 74 F and. Visitors often draw | | | | reported nationwide, foreign investment in the area is |
| comparisons to the South of Spain, or a variant of | | | | on the rise. Along the coast, a number of luxury |
| Tuscany. | | | | developments -- both residential and tourist -- are in |
| Coastal access through Los Santos is well-paved and | | | | final stages of completion, including Andromeda Ocean |
| well-signed, and townships have neatly planned, | | | | Estates, a spectacular beachfront community just |
| well-maintained streets. Virtually every town has a | | | | minutes from the town of Pedasi. |
| point of wireless Internet and one never has to travel | | | | As one of the most desireable beach towns in the |
| too far for a cash dispenser. Coastal architecture is a | | | | region, Pedasi is growing at a strong, yet controlled |
| charming mix beteween colonial Old Spain and the | | | | pace. With a regional landing strip, |
| province's residents take pride in their towns and locals | | | | internationally-acclaimed surf breaks, and |
| are always inviting of foreigners, even welcoming them | | | | world-renowned sport fishing, Pedasi is presenting itself |
| into their own homes on occasion. | | | | as the "it" destination of Panama's Pacific. |
| Pedasi is receiving its fair share of Panama's booming | | | | With the new 7-8 year, $5.4 billion Panama Canal |
| influx of visitors. Panama's Tourism Authority notes a | | | | expansion plan approved, a spike in investment in the |
| steady growth of about 200,000 more annual visitors | | | | area will soon be seen -- not only in Pedasi but across |
| a year; and tourism in the country is expected to peak | | | | the entire Azuero Peninsula. Retirement and |
| at about 2 million visitors in 2010. Because tourism | | | | eco-tourism investment opportunities are presenting |
| makes up about 12% of Panama's GDP, and because | | | | themselves on a daily basis in the region. |