The Construction of a Major Tourist Landmark in Panama
(epiac1216.wordpress.com) After the toppling of the Noriega’s regime in 1989, the Panama Government was determined to develop a flourishing tourist industry using Costa Rica as a benchmark. One of the first actions it took in this regards, was to declare the Amador Peninsula a Special Tourist Development Center.
Since 1990, Amador has been booming with attractive tourist projects like hotels, marinas, convention centers, restaurants, small malls, and other tourist-related enterprises. One of these projects is the construction of a biological museum designed by world class architect, Frank Gehry.
Frank Gehry has designed more than 50 buildings and residencies in the United States and elsewhere, enticing tourists who wish to admire his unique architectural works. Tourist experts agree, that the first remarkable work of Frank Gehry was the Museum of Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain inaugurated in 1997. This museum sparked a remarkable tourist boom in the city at a critical time when the City of Bilbao was suffering a deep economic crisis.
The opening of this museum brought a new economic concept increasing the arrival of tourists to this place. It’s estimated that more than 1.5 million international tourists visit this museum. Panama wants to duplicate this success story and convinced Frank Gehry to design The Biomuseum: Panama’s Bridge of Life, located in the Amador Peninsula. It will be his only work in Latin America.
The central idea of the biomusem is to attract both domestic and foreign visitors, not only because of its appealing exterior facade, but also because of its interior educational content; as it will provide an explanation of the biological formation of the Isthmus of Panama and how Panama’s flora and fauna developed. The main goal of the project is to educate youths and visitors as well, on nature conservancy.
The highest economical impact of the project will be the expenditures generated by its visitors in the local economy estimated at $277 million. The museum itself will generate a profit of approximately $3.2 million per year based on ticket sales, memberships, shopping stores, beverages and food consumption.
The museum is expected to be finished by mid 2009 and should be opened to the general public during the first semester of 2010.
I visited the Amador Area three weeks ago and went to visit the biological museum’s construction site. The day I was there was a Sunday and I found workers engaged in construction activities, so that means that the termination date might be correct.
A projection study conducted by KPMG points out that the benefits for Panama may reach $277 million or 6.9 times the original investment of $45 million during the first five year of operations. It’s estimated that during this period, the biomuseum will receive 2.69 million visitors—29 percent domestic and 71 percent foreigners.
When the biomuseum is finished, I’ll take some pictures and post them here at Lingua Franca for your enjoyment. Until then, Good Day.
Source: Frank Gehry’s Mark in Latin America - The Panama Post
