Ecotourism has been the "buzz" word for responsible travel related activities for a while; if you are looking for travel that supports the local economy, take a look at "Agritourism" Travel. When you search for Agri-tourism destinations on the internet, you will not find Panama on page one, or page two; although agriculture is 6.8% of GDP in Panama, compared to 1.2% in the U.S.; and is ranked by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) as one of the top performing tourist markets and destinations in the world. The two most popular searches for Agricultural Tourism on the internet are Hawaii and California . Not surprisingly because of Kona Coffee and Napa Valley, respectively.
In a country that receives the highest price per pound for coffee, at auction, Panama should be at the top of the list for Agi-tourism as well. However, unlike Hawaii, Panama ’s economy was not built on agriculture and tourism. Panama’s history has been somewhat tumultuous; dictators, coup d'état, revolutions, and of course the Canal. The Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, container ports, and flagship registry have been at the heart of Panama’s service economy. Over the past few years there has been a sizable shift in the influx of dollars as Panama
is emerging as a world class tourist destination, and not just in Panama Cityand the Canal Zone, but to the Western Highlands, and the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts. In spite of the global financial crisis, according to the outgoing tourism Minister Ruben Blades, tourism has grown 11.7% bringing in $2.2 billion.Panama’s most dramatic growth is expected to be in the “Ecotourism” sector. With 29 percent of the countries territory protected by 15 National Parks, Wildife Refuges, and Reserves; it is one of the most comprehensive wildlife management systems in Central America. This tiny isthmus has more bird species than North America and Europe combined.
Over the past few years, the charming little village of Boquete, in the mountain highlands of Panama, has become an expat haven. To accommodate all the new arrivals, developments have sprung up all over the valley. Many of the coffee farms have been sold to make way for development. And then BOOM, La Hacienda Esmeralda coffee takes first place by the Specialty Coffee Association of America, and snags $130 a pound green at auction.
Panama coffee has hit the International market by storm. The coffee that made this incredible buzz is a variety called Geisha. Not a new variety, originally from Ethiopia . But the micro-climates in Boquete and the different processing have made it unique to Panama . Now, all the coffee farmers are excited, everybody is planting a little Geisha on their farm hoping to be the next “Best in the World”.
http://www.portfolio.com/culture-lifestyle/culture-inc/food-drink/2007/09/13/Most-Expensive-Coffee
This is Part 1 in a series about Boquete, Panama and Agri-tourism. Click the "All About Coffee" link in categories to read part 2; or click the link below.
http://boquetesafaritours.typepad.com/boquete_mountain_safari_t/all-about-coffee/
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