Summary.
The bill establishes the “Cuatro Caras de la Naturaleza” tourist route and lists the areas it comprises. These include El Montuoso in Chepo corregimiento (district), Las Minas District, Herrera Province; the Ciénaga de Las Macanas wetland in El Rincón corregimiento (district), Santa María District, Herrera Province; and Cenegón del Mangle, an area of mangroves and pre Columbian sites in Paris corregimiento (district), Parita District, Herrera Province. The route also includes Sarigua National Park, described as a desert area and archaeological site in Parita District, Herrera Province, and Parita, a colonial town in Parita District, Herrera Province.
The route’s stated purpose is to promote sustainable tourism development in its constituent areas. The bill proposes to highlight their historical, cultural and natural attractions and to generate income for local communities. These purposes frame the development and promotion measures set out in the following articles.
The bill requires the Panama Tourism Authority (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá) to prepare and implement a tourism development plan for “Cuatro Caras de la Naturaleza.” The plan must include research and analysis of the tourism market, together with the development of tourism products and services. It must also provide for promotion of the route nationally and internationally and training for local communities in sustainable tourism. Its required measures include strengthening tourism infrastructure and conserving the environment. Protection and enhancement of cultural heritage complete the plan’s prescribed contents, alongside the measures concerning tourism activity and the natural resources of the areas included in the route.
To implement the plan, the bill provides that the State will allocate the necessary financial resources through the Panama Tourism Authority. It designates that institution as the competent authority for applying the proposed law. The bill also requires regulations within three (3) months of promulgation and provides that the law will enter into force on the day following its promulgation.
Because of the functions assigned to it, the public entity directly involved is the Panama Tourism Authority. The bill also concerns local communities in the listed areas of Herrera Province. Its provisions could be of interest to providers of tourism products and services, people working in tourism infrastructure, and those engaged in environmental conservation and the protection of cultural heritage in those areas.
What it proposes.
- Establishment of the “Cuatro Caras de la Naturaleza” tourist route.
- Planning and promotion of sustainable tourism in its constituent areas.
- Funding for the plan, the competent authority and implementing regulations.
Who it would affect.
- Panama Tourism Authority.
- Local communities in the areas comprising the route.
- Providers of tourism products and services connected with the route.
Key points.
- Establishes the “Cuatro Caras de la Naturaleza” route and identifies its constituent areas in Herrera Province.Art. 1
- Sets sustainable tourism development as its purpose by highlighting historical, cultural and natural attractions and generating income for local communities.Art. 2
- Requires the Panama Tourism Authority to prepare and implement a tourism development plan with market research and the development of products and services.Art. 3
- Requires the plan to include national and international promotion and training for local communities in sustainable tourism.Art. 3
- Includes tourism infrastructure, environmental conservation, and the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage in the plan.Art. 3
- Provides for the State to allocate the financial resources needed to implement the plan through the Panama Tourism Authority.Art. 4
- Designates the Panama Tourism Authority as the competent authority for applying the proposed law.Art. 5
- Requires regulations within three (3) months of promulgation and provides for entry into force on the following day.Arts. 6-7