This Article was written by Shirley Diaz
Old Panama and the old quarters are some of the most demanded tours
 Cultural tourism which includes the commercialization of culture as a product is being promoted by tour agencies in their packages. According to members of this sector, this type of alternative tourism has been growing, with the most solicited spots being the ruins of Old Panama, the city’s old quarters, Panama Canal, and Portobelo among others.
Traditionally, tourism is defined as a series of activities realized by people as they travel from one place to another during short periods of time for leisure pursuits.
Cultural tourism would include these same activities as long as it include places of heritage interest, and manages to expose the tourist to unforgettable experiences that will acquaint him to traditions and culture of a country. Ernesto Reina, President of the Panamanian Association of Tour Agencies and Tourism APAVIT said the request for tours of cultural attractions in Panama has increased.
So much, that presently arrangements are being made with the City of Knowledge Project, the Panamanian Institute of Tourism IPAT , and the National Institute of Culture INAC , and with the economic help of the European Union, to develop this type of cultural tourism in Panama.
Reina explained that the growing immigration of foreigners has become the best opportunity to properly exploit the country’s cultural attractions. However, Jaime Campuzano, President of the Panamanian Chamber of Tourism CAMTUR commented that the clients do not specifically ask for tours to cultural attractions, but tour operators push and promote the same through their tours which are not sold as specific cultural tours per se, but become part of their general tours.
Some members of the sector argue that the cultural attractions are promoted as an integral part of the destination being sold. For example, the festivities of Corpus Cristi are promoted with the location where the same is celebrated.
Tours
 Tour operators offer several tours, among them Panama City, Panama City and the Canal, the Ruins of Old Panama, Museums, and full or partial crossing of the waterway.
Among the sites most solicited by visitors are the Old Quarters, Old Panama, Nata De los Caballeros, Fuerte San Lorenzo, Portobelo, and the Panama Canal. Those involved in the tourism sector assure the country has a lot of potential still to be exploited.
The new air routes being negotiated with the purpose of opening new tourist markets are an example of this. However, it is necessary to first develop the infrastructure and to educate the Panamanian population.
Some of the tours solicited by clients are those of the indian communities of Rio Chagres and San Blas that could be considered as an ethnic-cultural attraction.
Historically, the country is rich in culture, and Colon just to mention one, is a living treasure that shelters the roots of the Panamanian spirit. Coiba, Azuero, Chiriqui, and Darien guard their beaches, plains, highlands, and parks, the diversity of the Panamanian flora and fauna, its culture and history.
Promotion
Presently IPAT is trying to promote our country in the United States, and also Europe which has become the newest objective of our publicity campaign and has involved famous Panamanians with the goal of presenting Panama’s best.
This campaign should not be affected by changes in governmental administrations as the contract has been signed for five years.
Some Atractions
• Ruins of Old Panama: Located eight kilometers from the center of the modern city. It was the first city of Panama, destroyed in 1671 by the pirate Henry Morgan. From the center of the city, 12th Street, you can travel by bus to Old Panama and the cost is US$.25. By taxi the fare should be about US$1.50 per person and US$.025 for each additional passenger.
• The City Old Quarters: It is the second City of Panama founded in 1673 after the destruction of Old Panama. It was declared a collection of historical buildings in 1976, and a year later declared world heritage by UNESCO. It is located in the center of Panama City and you can get there by car or taxi. The taxi rate should be no more than US$1.00 per person. You can also take a bus in route 12th Street, get off at the stop in Santa Ana Park and walk to the old quarters.
• Fuerte San Lorenzo in Colon Province: It is one of the most important monuments dating to the time of the Spaniards and has great historical significance since it served as a bastion of defense against pirate attacks in their search for gold. To go to this location is necessary to travel to Colon Province. The fare by bus costs approximately US$5.00 round trip. Once there, take transportation that goes over Gatun Locks and enters the old Sherman Fort which costs about US$1.00 and from there go to Fuerte San Lorenzo.
• Portobelo: Discovered by Cristobal Colon on his fourth trip on board the Santa Maria, on November 2, 1502. Between XVI and XVIII centuries was one of the most important ports for exportation of silver, and a departure point for the Float of the Indies. It is located in Colon Province. From Panama to Colon you can travel by car. Take the Panama-Colon highway and when you reach Sabanitas, where Supermarket Rey is located, make a right turn. From there it takes about an hour to Portobelo. You can also get there by bus. From the bus stand in Colon on Central Avenue to Sabanitas, and from there another bus to Portobelo. Public transportation from Panama City is about US$2.50 and from Colon about US$0.50.
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