English - Global Environment Facility

array of natural, historical and cultural attractions linked to the trans-oceanic route (from colonial
times to modern era) and benefits from the international image of Panama. This “Panama Canal
cluster” includes PN Soberanía and PN Chagres and has a very high development potential
given the rapid rise in the cruise ships business and other high-end segments of the market;
(ii) Marine PAs such as PN Isla de Bastimentos and PN Coiba, which are experiencing a rapid
rise in visitation, but are not linked to the mainstream flow of visitors around Panama City;
(iii) Areas which are part of various bird watching circuits offered by national and international
tour operators, such as PN Altos de Campana or PN General de Division Omar Torrijos; and
two large PAs in the extreme East and West of the Country, of more remote access and low
visitation levels (PN Pila connected to Costa Rican PAs and PN Darien on the border with
Colombia).
11. The selected nine PAs were also analyzed in terms of their current management effectiveness
(see Table 3 below). In summary, overall scores ranged from 45% 6 (PN Bastimentos, Altos de
Campana, Darien) to 67% (Coiba). The PAs generally received above average scores for
planning and the lowest scores for outputs and outcomes.
CEO Endorsement Template-December-08.doc 13
Table 3 : List of Selected Protected Areas
Score
Summary PNMIB PILA PNAC PNCH PNC PND PNS PNVB PNGDOTH
Context 53 58 58 61 77 61 65 58 54
Planning 64 71 71 79 71 78 79 64 64
Inputs 57 57 50 71 50 43 71 50 43
Process 52 56 44 52 68 44 52 48 60
Outputs 27 36 27 30 64 27 39 33 52
Outcomes 37 59 41 52 67 37 55 52 59
Final Score
% 45 54 45 53 67 45 57 49 52
PNMIB: Isla Bastimentos Marine National Park PNC: Coiba National Park
PILA: La Amistad International Park PND: Darien National Park
Altos de Campanas National
Soberania National
PNC: Park
Chagres National
PNS: Park
PNCH: Park PNVB: Baru Volcano National Park
PNGDOTH: General Division Omar Torrijos Herrera National Park
12. The project has been structured into three components. The first component addresses the
critical gaps and limitations in the institutional and regulatory framework and existing interinstitutional
coordination and capacities. It also addresses the challenge of increasing sustainable
financing for SINAP, by promoting the design and establishment of alternative sources of
financing for development, management and promotion of ecotourism, as these sources also
depend on policies and regulatory frameworks to operate. The second component will improve
the quality of planning, operational management and monitoring of the nine PAs selected as
priorities for ecotourism development. The third component will focus on fostering private
sector and community participation and the generation of tangible local benefits from ecotourism
6 Percentage is calculated as total score of PA over an adjusted maximum score of 139.