Panamá, May 27 (Prensa Latina) Over 150 exhibitors of national and foreign enterprises linked to tourism are gathered here today to close deals and business opps, besides reactivating the so-called industry without chimneys to benefit the population.

The President of the Organizing Committee of the 7th International Tourism Fair of Panama, Annette Cárdenas, assured the country lives in relevant times before the competitiveness of the world market, as this activity not only represents an important income source, but it also rescues the beauty of its traditions.

That is why this edition that previously was held in September, we advanced the date for May in order to increase the number of exhibitors and international buyers, she added.

In statements to Prensa Latina, Cardenas asserted that the most representative region in the venue is Latin America and the Caribbean, given the closeness between our countries, while she notified the participation of two new nations: Nicaragua and the United Arab Emirates.

To this novelty is added the presence for the first time of three airlines, among them German Lufthansa, which will allow to open new tourism destinations like the European, she added.

The Fair will allow not only to internationalize destinations of this country, but it will also promote national tourism and show the marvels of the Isthmus, especially its people, said the president in charge of the Chamber of Tourism, Jaime Campuzano.

"Panama is the ideal place to vacation; we have different climates (beach and mountain), an excellent offer for buying, historic tourism and few places in the world offer the options of Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism that the country offers", he added.

Expo International Tourism, to be open until tomorrow, has the purpose of offering a platform to present products from airlines and cruiser companies, malls, tour operators, hotel chains and other lodging establishments, beach, jungle and sports, among other offers.

Among the exhibitor countries present at the venue stand out Cuba, the United States, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and Turkey.

The agenda of the event includes an exhibition of 300 caricatures made by world renowned artists and dancing shows for all the family which will be able to buy special offers for their vacations.

ef/lam/npg