To the Point; They Launch a Project to Boost Ecotourism; Panamanian Coffee Breaks World Record; Japan Plans Flying Taxis for 2027.

Friday, August 8, 2025. To the Point Forget long introductions… let’s get straight to what happened this week. Brett MikkelsonDirector, B.M. Investigations, Inc. TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: They Launch a Project to Boost Ecotourism in Rural Areas with Low Employment in Panama At least three rural communities in Panama, with high unemployment rates, will develop a project backed by two institutions to boost sustainable tourism and social innovation in those areas. “The tourism that transforms is not an empty economic model. It is a tool for empowerment, for rebuilding the social fabric, and for activating hope in the most forgotten territories,” said the project consultant, Remberto Ortega, during his presentation this Thursday in Panama City. The project named ‘Tourism that Transforms’ is an initiative promoted by the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and executed by INNOBUC – Institute of Innovation and Business Culture to strengthen “the local capacities of rural and peri-urban communities,” according to official information. Through “sustainable tourism, social innovation, and community participation,” the beneficiary provinces are Panamá Oeste (adjacent to the capital and turned into a bedroom community), Coclé (a forested area about 180 kilometers east of Panama City), and Colón (located in the Caribbean and also the entrance of the Canal). For the project’s execution, it contemplates “the realization of three bootcamps (training sessions), the accompaniment of 15 local tourism ventures, the participative formulation of community tourism development plans, and the production of a testimonial video, as a living memory of the process,” highlights the organizations’ statement. Specifically, ‘Tourism that Transforms’ is focused on seeking greater participation of women, youth, and indigenous peoples, linking the private sector and creating both regenerative tourism and a collaborative economy, among others. Precisely, the provinces with the highest unemployment percentages were: Panamá (12.4), Panamá Oeste (11.2), and Colón (10.3), according to official figures as of October 2024 (the most recent update). The tourism industry currently contributes 11% of Panama’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), representing about five billion dollars in foreign exchange annually; it generates 40,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs, according to information from the Panamanian government. Since 2020, Panama bets on attracting more sustainable tourism that “generates an increase in employment nationwide, integrates communities, connects territories, and increases the industry’s competitiveness,” according to the document. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Panama Will Host Five International Fairs in March 2026 From March 10 to 12, 2026, the Panama Convention Center in Amador will host five international exhibitions specializing in trade, logistics, tourism, technology, and energy.These are Expocomer, Expo Logística, Expo Turismo Internacional, Expotec, and Expoeléctrica Internacional, events that have established themselves as an important platform to promote business, investment, and jobs in the country. These fairs will attract participation from more than 30 countries from Europe, Asia, and America, representing a direct opportunity for Panamanian entrepreneurs to establish connections and close international business deals. “These exhibitions generate thousands of transactions, business opportunities, and also jobs. The economic impact for the country is significant,” stated Aurelio Barría, president of the Exhibitions Commission. In the 2025 edition, the five fairs brought together 31,000 visitors, completed 20,000 business meetings, and recorded 156 million dollars in commercial transactions, which resulted in an economic spillover of at least 45 million dollars for Panama. “It was 45 million dollars that we estimate stayed in Panama as a result of those 31,000 visitors. And the most important thing is the impact on tourism: we generated more than 10,000 hotel nights registered, which is one of the key metrics the government uses to measure tourism’s impact on the economy,” Barría emphasized. For his part, Juan Arias, president of the Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the relevance of Expocomer, which in 2026 will celebrate its 40th anniversary in Panama. “It is our most important fair, not only for the Chamber but for all Panamanians. We invite more than 30 or 40 countries each year. This 2025 we broke all records with 31,000 visitors, and that is the new goal we have set to surpass next year,” said Arias. Panama will also host the World of Coffee 2026During the same announcement, another major international event was confirmed: the World of Coffee Panama 2026, which will be held from October 23 to 25 next year, strengthening the country’s position as a key destination for business tourism and international events. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE International Book Fair 2025: When It Will Be and How to Buy Tickets From Monday, August 11 to Sunday, August 17, 2025, the International Book Fair will take place in Panama City at the Atlapa Convention Center, with hours from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.The Panamanian Book Chamber announced that the guest country of honor will be the Kingdom of Morocco, and attendees will be able to enjoy cultural activities representative of this nation. How much are the tickets and where to buy them?Tickets can be purchased through https://panatickets.boletosenlinea and at physical sales points located in Multiplaza and Felipe Motta in Marbella. Ticket prices: Retirees and university students must present their credentials at the box office to purchase their tickets. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Japan Hopes to Have Electric Flying Taxis by 2027 The Japanese airline ANA, which partnered with a U.S. startup, announced on Thursday that it expects to fly the first electric “air taxis” in Japan starting in 2027.ANA and Joby Aviation, based in California, announced their intention to create a joint venture aimed at deploying more than 100 five-seat aircraft. A spokesperson for ANA explained to AFP that the vehicles, designed to carry one pilot and up to four passengers at speeds that can reach up to 320 km/h, could enter service in 2027. These flying taxis “will revolutionize our air mobility,” said Koji Shibata, CEO of ANA, in a statement on Monday. The project mainly envisions trips between Tokyo and the international airports Narita and Haneda, which serve the Japanese capital. Currently, a vehicle or train trip between central Tokyo and Narita takes more than an hour, but Joby’s five-seat vehicle can reduce that