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Panama marks 20 years in charge of the Canal

02 January 2020
Panama marks 20 years in charge of the Canal

Panama commemorates Tuesday, 20 years of the national administration of the Panama Canal, an historical event that marked the country’s economy, as the interoceanic way contributes 6% of its national GDP.

On Dec. 31, 1999, the U.S. handed over control of the Canal to the Central American country, as established in the Torrijos-Carter Treaty and the Panamanian flag flew alone for the first time on the interoceanic passage.

The current government of Laurentino Cortizo commemorated 20 years of control over the canal with official acts and speeches. Cortizo spoke about the transfer as a fact that «knocked down the fence that divided a country … which conquered a noble people and united us.»

Among those attending the commemoration was former President Mireya Moscoso, who served during the delivery of the interoceanic route. He recalled it was a date full of stir and patriotism. «It was a very big emotion,» he told local television network TVN.

President of the Panama Canal Practitioners Association Alvaro Moreno explained to local media that the transfer meant the country had reached its sovereignty.

The history of the canal

 

The U. S. took on the challenge of building the immense engineering work in 1903, after the French failed in an attempt.

French chief engineer, Philippe-Jean Bunau-Varilla, had no funds to continue the work and gave up the rights of exploitation and construction of the canal to the US, as well as control of the area surrounding the canal.

The U. S. paid $10 million for the way and agreed to give an annual income $250,000 to Panama. The transaction was signed in the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty on Nov. 18, 1903, 15 days after Panama declared its independence from Colombia.

The Americans took about 10 years to build the interoceanic highway. During that time, builders had to dig through the Continental Mountain Range, the largest dam in the world at that time, as well as design an unprecedented sluice system.

As time went by, Panamanians began to express dissatisfaction with the use of the channel by the Americans and it led into violent protests.

In 1970, Panama began negotiations with the U.S. to gain control over the passage.

In 1977, President Omar Torrijos, who assumed his post after a military coup, and then-U.S. President Jimmy Carter, signed a treaty stipulating the Central American country would gradually recover sovereignty of the canal.

In 1999, after a rough bilateral relationship which included the 1989 invasion of the U.S. into Panama that concluded with the capture of strongman Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega and thousands dead, Carter delivered the channel to Moscoso, who said: «Thank you, it's finally ours!»

 

The Canal today

In June 2016, Panama began the expansion of the canal. It used steel that would be necessary to raise 22 Eiffel Towers, as well as 4.5 million cubic meters of concrete, the amount used to build 2.2 Egyptian pyramids or 450 20-story buildings.

In January 2017, the Canal recorded a new monthly tonnage record. It reached 36.1 million tons of ware in 1,260 vessels. In February of that year the daily average reached 1.18 million tons.

The distance vessels have to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans is 77 kilometers (48 miles), and spend between eight and 10 hours.

Today the main routes that use this interoceanic passage are those that travel between Asia and the eastern U.S. (51.2%), between the west coast and the east coast of the U.S. (17.5%), and between the west coast of South America and Europe (10.6%).

The vessels that transit through the expanded channel are container ships, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), bulk carriers, vehicle carriers, tankers and passenger ships.

One of the main problems facing the future route is the lack of water. The canal depends on water that accumulates in the Gatun and Alajuela artificial lakes, on which more than 2 million people live in Panama City also depends.

Global warming, the expansion of the canal and its continued use for 103 years have put strong pressure on water sources.

In this commemoration, the canal faces the lowest levels of rainfall in its river basin, which impacts the water supply consumed by half of the country and allows the canal to function.

The Panama Canal Authority is currently conducting feasibility studies on water reservoirs to preserve this engineering megastructure. Text source: https://www.aa.com.tr/

Tsar Events PANAMA DMC & PCO, a Hosts Global Member together with Tsar Events RUSSIA DMC & PCO, a Hosts Global Member will have own stands B96 & B97 at IBTM World in Barcelona 19 – 21 November 2019. Our team will be happy to tell you everything about Incentive ideas, Conference venues, best options for accommodation in Panama City and also give last updates from Russia – about electronic visa for St. Petersburg, EURO 2020 games and UEFA Champion League Final 2021.

Alexander Rodionov, CMP, DMCP, CITP  - Managing Director of  Tsar Events PANAMA DMC & PCO, a Hosts Global Member will be happy to share all our news from Panama. You can  visit stand B96 & B97 and make appointment  on this link:

https://www.ibtmworld.com/en/MyEvent/Company-Account/?exId=6714024&evEdId=7055 or you can write e-mail to a.rodionov@tsar-events.com.

 

Also we have such a GREAT NEWS that we were waiting for so long. SIMPLIFIED ELECTRONIC VISAS for citizens of 54 countiries, who is visiting St. Petersburg will be available from 1st of October 2019. This e-visa will also be valid for guests from Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Norway, Switzerland, Ireland, Island, Finland, Portugal, Greece, Czech Republic, Poland, Netherlands, France, Turkey and Japan and other countries. Now your clients can visit Russia    (entering and leaving St. Petersburg) during 8 days just filling in all necessary information on web-site of Ministry of Foreign Affairs   (exact link for St. Petersburg will be published later). Now you can check this link https://evisa.kdmid.ru/ — it is already used for applying electronic visa for tourists entering Russia throe Kaliningrad Region) So, starting from 01st of October 2019 you will just need to fulfil all information online and get electronic visa on-line before visiting St. Petersburg. For more information, you can always contact team of TSAR EVENTS RUSSIA DMC & PCO.

 

By the way, we started our own Vlog on YouTube:  Tsar Events' RUSSIA SURVIVAL GUIDE. Please, check it here. Now you can follow us in YouTube and get destinations insights from DMC professionals.  We are the first Russian DMC who started YouTube Vlog devoted to Russia and it’s traditions.

 

 

Vlog will tell about museums, venues, restaurants and dos and don’ts while you are planning your event or visiting Russia! We made it together with famous opera singer from USA Maya Krivchenia who lives and works in Russia for  more than 10 years.

We’ll download videos with different theme every week. Don’t miss them and sign up to our  Youtube channel here.

Also you can following on:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tsareventsdmc/

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LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/tsar-events-dmc-&-pco/

And of course we  will be happy to help you with any requests for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus or Baltic states.  Just let us know.

 

If you need asistance with museum visit or  accommodation booking, planning your special event, cultural  or incentive program, conference and congress in Moscow or St. Peterbsurg, please, contact  team of Tsar Events Destination Management Company & Professional Congress Organizer that provide all MICE services in all Russian cities.

 

Tsar Events DMC & PCO has become first DMC who wrote book-instruction for tourists and professional travel planners who are going to Russia!  New book offers a mesmerizing slice of life in Russia. Alexander Rodionov & Maya Krivchenia shares an informative and enjoyable guide to enjoying the historical and cultural wealth of the world’s largest country.

 

Why TSAR EVENTS DMC & PCO?

1)      Tsar Events DMC & PCO has become first DMC who wrote book-instruction for tourists and professional travel planners who are going to Russia! https://www.amazon.com/Russia-Survival-Guide-Alexander-Rodionov/dp/1493125710/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

2)      The only CERTIFIED DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL           (DMCP) in Russia http://www.admeinternational.org/aws/ADME/pt/sp/what_is_dmcp

3)      The only CERTIFIED MEETING PROFESSIONAL             (CMP) in Russia http://www.eventscouncil.org/CMP/AboutCMP.aspx

4) RUSSIA’S LEADING DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY World travel awards 2012 & 2013 & 2014 & 2015 WINNER

5)      The ONLY  Russian DMC to earn Accredited Destination Management Company          (ADMC) Designation http://www.admeinternational.org/aws/ADME/pt/sp/what_is_admc

6)      The BEST DMC 2011 award winner by  New European Economy magazine, UK

7) Winner of ADME International Recognition Award 2016 as Destination Management Professional of the Year  http://www.admeinternational.org/aws/ADME/pt/sp/awards

From  »concept to reality», our services & events are designed to meet the creative, motivational and budgetary needs of the professional meeting planner or executive. We work with you from concept and design through successful program execution.

Through one point of contact we are proud to provide our clients with:
• Collaborative Creativity
• Consistency in Services
• Destination Communication
• Imaginative Corporate Incentive Programs
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About HOSTS GLOBAL: Hosts Global is a strategic partner for meeting and event planners worldwide. We offer full-service destination management solutions in over 300 locations through our global alliance of select Destination Management Companies      (DMC). Our clients receive streamlined global planning, dedicated account management and
superior execution of group programs including meetings, conventions, incentive programs and special events. 

GLOBAL REACH: Our global portfolio of destinations make us the go-to resource for planners in need of a long-term partner who can monitor spend and ensure consistent quality service worldwide. 

LOCAL EXPERTS: Our alliance is comprised of the finest DMCs in the most desirable locations. Alliance members are selected based on stringent criteria to ensure unrivaled local knowledge and quality service for our customers. 

DEPENDABLE SERVICE: Hosts’ experienced global liaisons serve as a client’s single point of contact and provide dedicated account management that results in streamlined planning from destination to destination. 

EFFICIENT OPERATIONS: Our Principles of Excellence are the core of our business, ensuring consistent service for our clients at every stage of our
partnership.

THE H FACTOR: It's the DNA of our people. It drives our company culture and unwavering devotion to positivity, our clients, colleagues and our industry. 
* Heroes — for each other, our community and our industry
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Tsar Events DMC & PCO has become first DMC who wrote book-instruction for tourists and professional travel planners who are going to Russia!  New book offers a mesmerizing slice of life in Russia. Alexander Rodionov & Maya Krivchenia shares an informative and enjoyable guide to enjoying the historical and cultural wealth of the world’s largest country.

Why  ST. PETERSBURG?

The most CULTURAL city in Russia

The 4th biggest city in Europe with the population of 6 million people
City with largest number of palaces and the deepest metro in the world
The cradle of Russian Literature, Art and Education.

Ideal places for Tsar’s Events:

— Gala Dinner at Faberge Museum –with biggest collection of Faberge Eggs
— Congress for 1000 guests in Smolny Cathedral
— Lunch at a single long table for 600 persons inside of the biggest Artillery museum in the world
— Exclusive night visit to Hermitage                 (Winter Palace)
— Transfer from airport by BTR, stretch limousine or Russian Troika
— Gala dinner with Rasputin in Yusupoff Palace
— Water and Fire Fairytale in Peterhoff Palace
— Hockey game against Russian team 
— Politburo meeting in  Political Dacha K2

Want to hear 1000 more ideas?
Get in contact with Tsar Events DMC.

Why MOSCOW?

— The most DYNAMIC city in Russia
— The biggest city in Europe with the population of 11 million people and a million visitors every day
— The capital of the biggest country in the world
— Business heart of Russian Federation

Ideal places for Tsar’s Events:
— Conference in the exhibition hall of GUM on Red Square
— Gala dinner at the underground secret Bunker of Stalin
— Product presentation on the top of one the highest buildings in Europe – Federation Tower
— Exclusive visit to the Russian President’s  Residence – Grand Kremlin Palace
— Participation in Astronaut training program in Star City space training center
— See legendary Faberge Eggs and the biggest collection of Tsar diamonds in the Kremlin’s Armory Chamber and the Diamond Fund

Want to hear 1000 more ideas?
Get in contact with Tsar Events DMC

We are excited to announce that we are growing and spreading our expertise globally. Please, welcome TSAR EVENTS PANAMA DMC & PCO!!! We have opened our new office in Panama City to help our clients with their events in Republic of Panama.

http://www.panama.tsar-events.com/

Panama is quickly becoming a popular destination for holding conventions and international events. A modern infrastructure, which is often cited as the best in the region, direct flights to more than 50 cities in the region and 13 in the U.S, world-class attractions nearby, meeting facilities, hotels, excellent restaurants, a globalized populace, and a vibrant metropolis with more than 100 banks and exciting nightlife, all make Panama the perfect place to host first-class events.

No matter what you’re looking for…in terms of climate, budget, convenience, or anything else… Panama is likely to check all the boxes.

Panama is located at the center of Latin America, at the very point where Central and South America meet. It is home to one of the world’s fastest growing economies, which is built largely on the country being a primary provider of financial, logistic and commercial services to all the nations of the region. Its central role in Latin America is vested in its being a business friendly nation, and that is complemented by its attractive and comfortable lifestyle.

Panama is a captivating mix of the historical and the modern, the natural and the manmade, the indigenous cultures and the international.

Since Panama is historically a crossroads, people and cultures from all over the world meet and mix here, resulting in friendly atmosphere, fantastic restaurants, galleries and cultural events showcasing the world’s best art, cuisine, and more. Panama has none of the disastrous hurricanes and earthquakes that plague its Central American neighbors