By: Milagro Vallecillos.

The new Board of Directors of the Chamber of Tourism of David, province of Chiriquí, promises to execute a progressive strategy to increase the number of visitors to Panama's westernmost region.

The induction of the Board Members took place during a gala event held at Club David on May 28. The event also served to inaugurate Chiriquí's first Expo Turismo, a tourism trade fair organized by local hotels, universities, air lines, tour operators, artisans and business people.

During the event, Mr. Wee-Ming Fung, the Chamber's president, officially launched "David, Capital Ecoturística 2010", an ambitious plan to transform the provincial capital of Chiriquí (the country's third most important urban center) into the Republic's eco-tourist capital by the end of the decade.

From left to right: Francisco Vigil (Mayor of David), Guadalupe Riande, Lic. Erick Orribara, Lic. Wee-Ming Fung, Lic. Sara Sanchez, Ing. Victor Watts, Moseñor Jose Lacunza

"This is a plan we hope to accomplish in the medium range as we work hand in hand to promote the beauty of our province", said Mr. Fung, who is the owner of David's Panama Rey Hotel.

The plan encompasses three main areas: urban planning, education and training and the development of the mountain resort community of Boquete as the province's eco-tourist meca par excellence.

Presently, the Chiriquí Chamber of Tourism is backed by a number of provincial institutions, such as the Chiriquí Chamber of Commerce, a strong believer in the tourist potential of the region.

Mr. Wee-Ming Fung, new president of Chamber of Tourism

Mr. Fung told The Visitor that one of the main problems hindering the development of tourism in Chiriquí is the lack of a year-round calendar of events. For instance, there are only two events that bring visitors to the province: the Flower and Coffee International Fair (early January) and the David International Fair (April/May). This reality accounts for the low hotel occupancy rates in Chiriquí during the rest of the year.

This, however, is about to change, since the new Chamber of Tourism will launch a calendar with new festivals and annual events. Among them are the First International Marathon of Chiriquí, a national beauty pageant ("Miss Tourism"), a Central American Culture Festival, an International Culinary Fair and an International Water Sport Competition.

Another objective on the Chamber's agenda is to work along other local organizations in transforming David's International Airport into a modern international facility.