Castilla del Oro is a non-profit foundation that focuses on developing the central provinces of Panama (Coclé, Herrera, Colón, Los Santos and Colón), bringing structure, training and incentives to its population, primarily in the tourism sector. Forty projects are currently being carried out in thirty of the nation’s municipalities.
An important part of this initiative is to promote cultural exchange between Spain and Panama so that the leaders of this region have the opportunity to learn about our regional management model and apply the ideas and experiences that have been learned in Spain in their own cities in order to generate business and employment.
The last trip organised for this purpose took place in May 2011. The group was led by the governor of Colón, Pedro Ríos, and included the presence of nine mayors from the various provinces, a representative of the ATP (Autoridad del Turismo de Panamá, or the Panama Tourism Authority), as well as members of the Castilla del Oro Foundation (see attachment 1). The project leader, Mr. Richard Fifer, also participated in the tour along with the Foundation’s presidents, Mr. Pascual Montañés and Mr. Cristobal Colón.
The itinerary was primarily focused on Extremadura and Andalucia, regions with great potential in terms of rural tourism. The visit was broadcast in various news media of the two countries (see examples in attachment 2).
The Panamanian delegation began its ten-day trip in Cáceres, where they were welcomed by representatives of GPEX (Sociedad de Gestión Pública de Extremadura). The next day, in Mérida, after an interview with Mayor Ángel Calle at the town hall, they visited the Roman Theatre and attended a GPEX presentation by the group’s CEO, Mr. Jaime Ruiz Peña. Before departing, they participated in an event with the president of Extremadura’s Regional Government, Mr. Guillermo Fernández Vara.
The afternoon of May 10th, the delegation arrived in Guadalupe, where they were welcomed by Prior Fray Sebastián and attended mass in the Monastery.
The next day, they visited the historic district of Trujillo, accompanied by Mayor Cristina Blázquez, the Royal Academy of Extremadura, and the Supercomputing Centre (CETA-CIEMAT). That afternoon they travelled to Badajoz, where they attended a presentation at the Scientific and Technological Park, and they later met with the Extremadura Hotel Network.
The group reached Jerez on May 12th. After an event in the town hall, they visited the Balboa Museum and set out for Aracena, where they were welcomed by Mayor Manuel Guerra González and enjoyed a cultural tour through the city. The next morning, the group visited the Gruta de las Maravillas (the Cavern of Wonders), the Iberian Ham Museum, and the Valbono Estate.
During this part of the trip, they discovered Huelva, Seville and Palos de la Frontera, with a special interest in places of Columbus such as the Port of Carabelas and the Monastery of Rábida.
After arriving in Madrid (on May 17th), the Panamanian authorities met with the Congress of Deputies. During the visit, promoted by the First Secretary Mr. Javier Barrero, they had the chance to learn about its history, the Spanish constitution and the functions of the Chamber.
The trip concluded with a visit to the Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace in Madrid.
Panamanian authorities participating in the 2011 tour
- Pedro Antonio Ríos Perez - Governor of Colón
- Doralis de la Cruz Rodríguez Ureña – Mayor of Santa Maria - Herrera Province
- Alejo Millán Soto Caballero – Mayor of Parita – Herrera Province
- Ovidio González Godoy – Mayor of Los Pozos - Herrera Province
- Santiago Ureña – Mayor of Pesé – Herrera Province
- Omar Alexander Cornejo Rodríguez – Mayor of Aguadulce – Coclé Province
- Ángel Domínguez Julio – Mayor of Tonosí – Los Santos Province
- Dr. Ricardo Manuel Barrios Vargas – Mayor of Pedasí – Los Santos Province
- Dr. José Dédamo Espinoza Castillo – Mayor of Montijo – Veraguas Province
- Héctor Saldaña Garcia – Mayor of Calobre – Veraguas Province
- Yadira Yaneth Gonzáles Muñoz - Representative of the ATP (Autoridad del Turismo de Panamá, or the Panama Tourism Authority)
- Julio César Herrera Tejeira – Castilla del Oro Foundation
