PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – MARCH 22, 2021 – Located in the province of Colon, Portobelo is a Caribbean jewel where the UNESCO World Heritage designation converges both for its colonial fortifications and for the Congo culture, also declared as an intangible world heritage site by UNESCO. Legend has it that this beautiful bay was originally named by Christopher Columbus as “Puerto Bello”; with iconic activities from Panama’s Green (nature), Blue (oceans) and Cultural Heritage experiences such as the Portobelo National Park, the Portobelo Bay and historic, colonial buildings including the Portobelo Customs House, the region is brimming with tourism adventures to satisfy any travelers’ wanderlust.
In an effort to expand these tourism offerings, the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Environment, is currently executing restoration projects to enhance the areas of Portobelo and San Lorenzo, which are part of Panama’s Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism. Several projects are being implemented, including the following:
“We are proud to announce the implementation of our Tourism-Conservation-Research (TCR) strategy in Portobelo,” said Ivan Eskildsen, Panama’s Minister of Tourism. “Placing local communities at the center of sustainable tourism, we are working to restore and preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site full of fascinating history, and extraordinary biodiversity, both in its oceans and its rainforests. We look forward to attracting the discerning travelers of the post-pandemic world, eager to discover authentic experiences with historical depth and scientific importance.”
Aimed at reducing the social inequality gap through community empowerment, training plans are being developed for local residents and incentives for entrepreneurship with seed capital, which is linked to the community tourism plan implemented by the ATP. The projects, which represent an investment of $44.6 million, are also designed to remove both Portobelo and San Lorenzo from the UNESCO list of World Heritage in danger.
This is another example of how Panama is implementing the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism, recently recognized by UNESCO as an example of innovation and sustainability, highlighting Panama’s natural and cultural heritage. The plan reactivates Panama’s Tourism, Conservation and Research (TCR) strategy applied in Panama over 20 years ago by the prestigious ecologist Dr. Hana Ayala. The TCR’s heritage routes strategy was updated to focus on three core areas: Cultural Heritage (multifaceted culture), Green Heritage (unique biodiversity) and Blue Heritage (ocean wonders).
To learn more about Panama’s cultural, green and blue heritage, as well as the experiences around it, please visit:https://visitpanama.com/things-to-do/.
For the latest information on Panama’s health and safety protocols for international visitors, please visit: https://www.visitpanama.com/information/travel-guidelines
About PROMTUR Panamá
PROMTUR Panama is the official destination marketing organization whose main function is the international promotion and marketing of Panama to all tourism segments and products. PROMTUR works closely with the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) to further propel the international promotion of the country as a world class tourist destination.
While famous for the 48-mile canal that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Panama’s rich history, culture, natural beauty, and remote locations are best experienced through the destination’s three heritage routes – Cultural Heritage, Blue Heritage, and Green Heritage.
Panama’s physical landscapes include beaches, mountains, and forests, offering everything from a cosmopolitan capital city to indigenous villages all within a short drive.
For more information, please go to www.visitpanama.com. Follow Panama on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Advisors booking AmaWaterways sailing within 90 days of course completion receive $50 gift card …
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., Jan. 14, 2025—Cruise Planners, the nation’s largest home-based travel franchise network,…
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (January 15, 2025) – Dream Vacations/CruiseOne is ranked #1 franchise in…
Active adventures explore new and lesser-known regions across Pakistan, Jordan, Morocco, The Balkans and more…
Complimentary eBook for Travel Advisors "AI Adventues: Revolutionizing Travel Advisor Marketing Strategies." - Available…
STAY App Enhances Guest Experience and Hotel Management through Integrated Mobility and Technology Solutions …