Panamá podría ser sede de ciudad temática sobre piratas


Hitler Cigarruista
Capital Financiero

The current local economic “boom”, the US dollar currency used, the beauty of its Caribbean Coast and the History, could make of Panama, the headquarter of Port Sae “The Fort”, a tourist project dedicated to the lovers of the piracy history, where its construction will required a 150 hectares of land and an $200 millions dollars investment.

The initiative is a result of the effort of Port Sae Productions Stock Company and Panamersa Corporation, both registered in Panama, and its purpose is to build a Fort City like the ones that used be in the Caribbean during the XVI century and that where plundered by corsair and pirates.

The project not only offers the possibility to establish in its facilities, multiple companies that dedicates themselves to conserve the piracy history, but also the construction of 650 accommodations in caves, a hotel with 130 rooms and six buildings in skull form that will have companies dedicated to the manufacture and commercialization of rum.

Also, it will have a museum dedicated to the Caribbean piracy history where the visitors can experience it, and a 50 hectares Micro Forest, dedicated to conserve and preserve the environment.

Jordi Gimenez, president of Port Sae Productions Stock Company and the conceptual designer of this project, explains that the idea is to offer the visitors the experience to go back in time and visit a XVI century city where to appreciate the Caribbean piracy history.

He also said, that the project has been showed to tourism authorities in Panama and other Caribbean countries, but they have not decided where the project is going to be constructed, although Panama is a great possibility.

On the other side, Michael Scott, president of Panamersa Corporation, explained that in order to develop this project they will need a $200 million dollars investment, that is why his company has already launch in the north American market, stocks for $100 million dollars, to finance the project.

Mr. Scott explained that the initiative will offer approximately 1,000 permanent jobs and will add to the tourist development that Panama has had, making it a great location for the project.

In fact, both businessmen agree that the current local economy, the great tourist development that it has had, the US dollar as currency used, the investment facilities, the multiple projects of tourism that are in construction, will make of Panama a great location to build this “pirate city”.

Jorge Porras, ex president of the Panamanian Chamber of Tourism, said that the development of a thematic city inspired in piracy as Port Sae “The Fort” will have a positive impact on the tourist development of Panama which can complement with this country attractiveness.

He also said that, it will be the first tourist project of this kind in Central America and the Caribbean, which will also be as reference even for tourist that visit other countries.

Jorge Loaiza, president of the Hotels Panamanian Association, said that he is not completely aware of the content of the project, but he agrees with Mr. Porras that it will have a positive impact on the tourist development of Panama, that is why he is looking forward for this country to be the headquarter for this project.

Meanwhile, Jaime Cornejo, Director of Development and Investment of the Panamanian Institute of Tourism (IPAT), spanish initials, said that to build this kind of project in Panama would be good for the country, because it will be a tourist attraction for the visitors and also for the resident of it.

Besides, Gloria De Leon, director of the National Registry of Tourism, said that with the recent modification of their Law 8 that opens the possibility for thematic parks to receive the same incentives that are granted for another tourist investments, but in order to receive this privilege, the project must be register at the IPAT before December 31, 2008 if this will be develop in an area designated as for tourism.