La Paz Group founder Crist Inman continued the Central America tourism competitiveness agenda working with the CLACDS team and counterparts in the Panamanian Institute of Tourism (IPAT) to diagnose the tourism cluster in term of it exiting sustainability and it opportunities for development both as an individual destination and as part of the regional Destination Central America project that was concurrently in process. With its mix of intact indigenous cultures and unspoiled nature, Panama had a unique opportunity to tap into the emerging trend of upscale conservation-focused tourism, and with it a need to develop responsibly. Also, in light of the upcoming reversion of the Panama Canal to domestic management, there would be an unprecedented opportunity to garner international media attention. Project funded by BCIE and Avina Foundation.

(1998-2000)