CARNAVAL Double the party for half the price
Panama is going to get “double the party for half the price” at this year’s Carnaval says Tourism Authority (ATP) manager Salomon Shamah.
He was responding to questions about the $2.5 million approved by Cabinet for the event in the capital city which a year ago President Ricard Martinelli had said would receive no government funding.
Speaking on TVN news, Tuesday, January 10, Shamah said that this amount "remains much less expensive than it was before." Historically this event has cost up to $ 5 million, he said. “In other words we're doing double the party for half the money."
He recalled that when he took over the ATP the Government wanted the Carnaval in Panama City to follow the example of the interior, to be a product created by individuals or private companies. However, the celebration of 2010 "was not good," so the government had to get out in front of what was attempted at that time. “That's why we decided to change the venue of Via Espana to the Cinta Costera.”
He said that despite the criticism generated by this change the carnival proceeded "without any damages. " However, he acknowledged that several things were missing. He said he would have to invest more in logisticsand the the activity this year will involve (like last year), 100% participation of national artists In accordance with the resolution adopted by the Cabinet on January 5, the ATP will have "exclusive function of coordinating and directing all activities related to the Carnaval festivities in Panama City. "
