Panama reaches top ten in tourism bible

While news of political scandals  may have sullied Panama'sits image in some quarters, it still ranks high in the world of tourism destinations.

The travel publication Lonely Planet, a bible for many North American. travelers still lists it as one of the 10 countries that should not be missed in 2011.

The latest edition of the guide says that uncontrolled growth that resulting in the creation of casinos, gated communities and glass towers the fall in investment has “forced a return to basics”.
The return to basics is defined for travelers as getting back to the real thing: local festivals, jazz and sand floored guest houses in Kuna Yala.

Another highlight for  Panama is  is the upcoming opening of the Frank Gehry designed Bio-diversity Museum on the Causeway which has  earned tourism brownie points for the country.

The Cinta Costera, Casco Viejo and the Darien Gap, are also listed as factors that make the country a diverse and tempting target for tourists.

Also included in the must visit list are Albania, Bulgaria Brazil, Syria, Vanuatu, Tanzania, Italy, Japan and the Cape Verde archipelago
Ernesto Orillac, of the Panama Tourism Authority (PTA) said that Panama’s inclusion in the list shows that it is now a “desirable” destination benefiting from political and economic stability and incredible diversity.

For 2011, the ATP is planning to further strengthen air connections,  push  the country in the  North and Central America priority markets and target niche target markets, including Central Europe.