Panama-Spain Tourism Cooperation on the Rise

The visit of President Juan Carlos Varela to Spain, September 6 - 10, brought about important outcomes in terms tourism cooperation, public health, transportation and preservation of historic heritage; according to the report put on the map by the government to describe the visit of the leader to the old continent.

One of the inked agreements establishes that Iberia airline is going to open a new connection between Spain and Panama with a nonstop flight from Barcelona. Likewise, within the framework of the Spanish cooperation, both parties will work to inaugurate in Penonomé the Higher Technical Tourism Institute, whose infrastructure is to be built by the Panamanian government.

Furthermore, Panama and Spain agreed to explore collaboration ways to develop a program to restore and preserve historic buildings that make up the cultural heritage of the Panamanian State, as well as those that represent a legacy from the Spanish presence.

The growing number of Spanish tourists visiting Panama was an element to be highlighted, thanks to the recent increase in the frequency of nonstop flights and investments by Spanish hotel groups.

The official agenda included the visit to Italy on Sep. 4 - 6 and Spain, 6 - 10, characterized by meetings with Pope Francisco, the head of the Spanish government, Mariano Rajoy, the King of Spain, Felipe 6th, the Promotion Minister, Ana Pastor, and chairman of the Galicia Board, Alberto Núñez Feijóo.

Other topics included the invitation to the Pope to visit Panama, the support to young Panamanians traveling to Poland in 2016 to participate in the world youth day in the land of John Paul 2nd, an intention declaration was delivered as the first step to establish the “Commemorative Panamanian Museum of the Jesuit Presence in Panama and Latin America”, and some agreements were taken to restore the Cathedral Church in Panama.

As for the social sphere, both parties will explore the possibility to copy the management model in terms of the supply, cleaning up and reuse of water in Panama as part of the public health program 100/Cero, aimed at improving the quality of life of over 300 thousand Panamanian families throughout the country, by means of the construction of aqueducts, sewer systems and facilities to treat water and solid wastes.

Starting on October 1, INECO – the public company of the Spanish government – is going to send a team of experts to Panama, who will be providing technical assistance to develop 5 multi-annual master plans for 10 years in the following areas: water and public health, integral treatment of solid wastes, public transportation, and health and tourism infrastructure.  

In terms of business there is great opportunity for Spanish companies to invest and grow in Panama according to the public investment and economic growth forecasts in the country. The experience of Spanish companies will be used to run feasibility studies, create designs, plans and projects in the Panamanian State’s priority sectors: water and cleaning up, waste treatment, road planning and public transportation system.