In Panama, there are plans to develop in Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Archipelago de las Perlas and Punta Chame, five lodging projects that seek to benefit from the Law on Incentives for Tourist Investments.
Law 122 of December 31, 2019, which dictates incentive rules for the promotion of tourist activities in the interior of the Republic, attracted projects for the country, for a total value of $371,843,971 in new tourist investments, to be built in areas with great tourist potential, informed the Presidency of Panama.
In Nicaragua, a law is being prepared to facilitate concessions for the development of marinas, piers and yacht clubs, with the aim of encouraging tourist activities such as sport fishing.
The bill is an initiative by private sector entrepreneurs, who want to attract foreign investment to develop tourist activities that are centered around marinas, such as sport fishing.
The tourist sector is proposing to develop a long-term strategy be create a market segment aimed at bird watching tourism in the country.
Authorities from the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism and entrepreneurs say the birding business generates significant revenue in markets such as Peru, where it "... currently generates $50 million a year." Although there is still no official program or strategy focused on attracting this type of tourism, tourism operators say that some companies have started to specialize in the subject.
The government announced that it will construct the stations at 80 kilometer intervals along the Pan American Highway and they will feature restaurants, parking and small stores.
From a statement issued by the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP):
PANAMA September 25 (ATP) - The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) has developed a series of initiatives such as tourist resorts along the Pan American Highway, informed the Administrator of the institution, Jesus Sierra Victoria during the XIV International Tourism Forum PANAMCHAM, which took place at the Sheraton hotel.
So far this year $82 million has been invested in tourism projects outside of Panama City, but the business sector has indicated there are obstacles to further development.
Law 80 of 2012, which provides tax incentives for tourism investment outside of Panama City has produced results, say entrepreneurs, but government support is still needed to remove some obstacles that prevent the development of tourism outside the capital from being even greater.
In the first half of the year $218 million came into the country, 10.3% more than the $197.5 million generated in the same period in 2013.
Details from the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur) show that "... Between January and June Nicaragua received 650,008 foreign visitors, representing a growth of 7.1% compared to the same period in 2013, when the country received 607.155 tourists. "
Go Blue Central America is an interactive map to share with the rest of the world the uniquiness and authenticity of the marine and coastal areas of Central America.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and National Geographic (NatGeo) presented "Go Blue Central America", an interactive map on the internet designed to promote tourism in the Isthmus.
Despite the downturn in the major economies, more and more tourists traveling the globe are looking for the kind of experiences that Central America has to offer.
The opportunities are there. Demand for tourist destinations such as the ones Central America can offer is firm and is increasing every year.
What is essential is that the quality of tourism services on offer be increased, particularly ensuring that tourists are not affected by the criminal violence that pervades the region.
With the dredging of the San Juan River and the opening of a local airport, tourism is starting to reach what was one of the main entrances to Central America.
Formerly one of the main ports of the region, San Juan del Norte, known as Greytown since 1848 - almost disappeared from the map, because of the obstruction of navigation on the San Juan River, its main access route.
The Ministries of Tourism in Central America have announced their intention to form a regional strategy to promote tourist destinations in the isthmus.
Reinforcing some intentions expressed in previous ministerial meetings, the government sector is proposing offering tourists the region "in one trip."
An article in Prensalibre.com reports that the chief executive of the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur), Mario Salinas, said: "We are going promote on the website, in European tourism fairs, two, three, four, five countries (as a destination), and not promote Panama or Nicaragua only, we will encourage (them to come and see) Central America. "