“Beautiful Cinta Costera” site for Carnaval and 250,000 celebrants

(PanamaNewsRoom) Salomón Shamah, administrator of the  Tourism Authority took time out on Friday, February 12, to defend his decision to hold “Carnaval” on Panama's Cinta Costera.

"The Cinta Costera is a beautiful place where we can attract tourists," he said.

The move had been opposed by the Ministry of Public Works, fearing that with a predicted 250,000 visitors, the recreation areas , favored by families, strollers and joggers, would be destroyed by the festivities. 

Shamah  has responded by saying that appropriate measures will be taken to prevent any damage.
Carnaval runs from March 5 through 8, and will be employing local musical talent
It is the celebration that no one wants in their vicinity and Carnaval is a time when thousands of residents leave the city. In the past citizens have gone to court to try to prevent it from being staged near their homes.

Last year, President Ricardo Martinelli vowed that not a dollar would be given to the event, but he relented, and cabinet voted a $1.5 million dollar budget. It will be located between the Fish Market and Calle 30.

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Original Source: PanamaNewsRoom

Date Retrieved: February 13, 2011