E C O C I R C U I T O S PA N A M AE N H A N C I N G T H E T R A V E L E X P E R I E N C E W I T H L O C A L TA L E N T S

E C O C I R C U I T O S PA N A M AG E T I N T I M A T E W I T H N A T U R E

E C O C I R C U I T O S PA N A M AT O U R I S M C O N S E R VA T I O N A N D E D U C A T I O N

W H AT I S E C O C I R C U I T O S ?

EcoCircuitos Panama is a locally owned tour operator and DMC committed to the development of sustainable tourism, providing distinct responsible travel options throughout the Republic of Panama since 1999.

It offers unique tailor made itineraries and programs that put conservation and sustainability at the forefront of its products, EcoCircuitos Panama offers an array of travel options to unique destinations across the country. Activities include but are not limited to: hiking, birding, cultural exchanges and educational programs. EcoCircuitos Panama also offers extension programs to other Latin American countries through its network of LATP (www.latintp.com). In addition EC is a founding member of the Panamanian Associatio of Sustainable Tourism (APTSO.org), which promotes sustainability through local tourism.

• Create low-impact tours and experiences that are appealing to our clients.

• Increase the level of awareness among travelers and turning them in effective agents for conservation.

• Channel a portion of our revenues towards supporting the conservation and sustainable use of Panama’s biodiversity.

• Reduce poverty through environmental conscious income generation activities and employment, which effectively decrease the threat to biodiversity in our local communities.

• Encourage active participation and involvement of local communities in the development, operation and monitoring of tourism activities.

B U S I N E S S O B J E C T I V E S

ecocircuitos.com

O U R S T O R Y

After EcoCircuitos Panama started in 1999 many things have changed and evolved, now it is an internationally recognized and renowned business. When it originally began it was ecotourism company that focused on local perspectives with an aim to work with young international travelers. The name EcoCircuitos was chosen to acknowledge that the company was promoting ecotourism and responsible travel throughout Panama. !Since EcoCircuitos Panama was initiated, the ecotourism sector of the company has flourished and undergone innovated changes to target a more distinct market. By changing the style and content of its tours is has moved away from adventure tourism to sustainable tourism. An example is one of their newly developed products, kayaking the Panama Canal that is promoted in Lonely Planet Guide and described as a must to do in Panama. !Under the sole direction of Annie Young, EcoCircuitos Panama has continued to provide tourism products sold extensively to an international tourism market throughout USA, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia. In addition, EcoCircuitos Panama has been a part of LATA.org since 2005, being recognized as the lead the company that has adapted its products to high-ended clientele United Kingdom (UK) market and becoming one of the first tour operators recognize by UK wholesalers. EcoCirucitos Panama is currently working with more than 15 agencies from the UK market. !This forward-thinking tour operator has emerged from adventure ecotourism, providing travel options to backpackers to exclusive tailor-made interpretative tours and packages. These services are provided in Panama and EcoCircuitos Panama also offers extensions to Central America. These options are available for mid to a high-end clientele. Also the EcoCiruitos Panama team has extensive experience both arranging and carrying out specialized programs for small groups. Some examples are historical sightseeing tours, academic groups to private contemporary art tours. !

O U R C O M M I T M E N T

Contributing to the protection of one of our key assets—biodiversity—is a critical responsibility of EcoCircuitos Panama.

• EC supports several projects in small communities that help foster economic development through tourism.

• EC actively participates with local organizations and communities to promote best practices in tourism. We strongly believe in the concept that travelers are also conservationist and can help contribute to the benefits of the local communities and environment.

• EC partner with local conservation and environmental organizations and associations that help the wellbeing of Panamanians: Avifauna, Marviva, Casa Esperanza and APTSO.

Our three key components are TCE: Tourism, Conservation and Education

M E M B E R S H I P S

• Latin America Travel Partners – www.latintp.com

• Sustainable Travel International - http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org/

• Latin America Travel Association, UK – www.lata.org

• American Birding Associaction – www.aba.org

• The International Ecotourism Society – www.ties.org

• International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association – www.iglta.org

E C O C I R C U I T O S T E A M

A H A P P Y C O M PA N Y

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y + E X P E R I E N C E = L U X U RY

• Panama has the opportunity to create strategic alliances through which hospitality developers and managers base their investments on having access to the knowledge which will enrich the tourist experience, and through which alliances they can also finance the protection of heritage assets that, in turn, create demand for tourism products. - Dr. Hanna Ayala (TCR action Plan)

T H E M O T I VA T I O N F O R N A T U R E - F O C U S E D T O U R I S M I S N O D I F F E R E N T, A N D B O T H N A T U R E - A N D C U LT U R E B A S E T O U R I S M A R E G R O W I N G I N D E M A N D F O R T R A V E L E R S W H O S E E K D I S C O V E R Y A N D L E A R N I N G A D V E N T U R E S :

1. Excellence in fulfilling customer’s expectations: We offer experiences that are enjoyable, comfortable and informative. Adventures with the components of education and sustainability will ensure that travelers are thoroughly satisfied and appreciative at the end of their trip.

2. Timely response to customers' requests: We cannot afford to delay our clients travel plans. We take less than 24 hours in answering all our clients’ requests. We believe in clearly communicating with our client, wholesalers, hotels/lodges and outfitters to ensure that we are constantly available to meet clients’ needs and expectations.

3. Marketing know-how: with more competitors in Panama, we believe that quality of service and happiness is our the best marketing tool.

S O M E O F O U R S P E C I A L T O U R S

ARTISTIC PANAMA

DESTINATION: Casco Antiguo, Former Canal Zone and Modern Panama City INCLUDES: transportation, water and art guide

DESCRIPTION: Join us on a special VIP tour. Find out why Panama is gaining popularity for street art. Explore different parts of the city with our expert guides and photograph giant murals that aren’t in the tourist guidebooks!  Discover for yourself designs by our local artists and the amazing stories behind their artworks. We will visit some art galleries and the Contemporary Art Museum (MAC) if there is a special exhibition. If there are particular Panamanians artists you would like to visit personally, let us know and we can organize visits and assist you in purchasing art that speaks to you!

T O U R S O F F E R E D B Y E C O C I R C U I T O S

ARCHITECTURAL PANAMA

DESTINATION: Casco Antiguo

INCLUDES: water and guide

DESCRIPTION: Join us in a walking adventure through the UNESCO World Heritage Site to admire the distinct architectural designs and styles. You will be joined with local Panamanian architect that will explain the different architectural styles of Casco Anitguo. Before the end of the tour you will have the chance to relax and admire the amazing architecture while sipping Panamanian coffee at a local café or take the time shop in one of the many boutique stores located in the area.

T O U R S A N D A D V E N T U R E S

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE BIKING TOUR

DESTINATION: Cinta Costera and Casco Antiguo

INCLUDES: Transportation, water, Bikes, Gear and guide

DESCRIPTION: Join us in the ultimate style of traveling through a historical city without causing pollution. Give yourself the opportunity to admire the diverse cultural and architectural designs of Casco Aniguo with our expert guides who will take you back in time with their historical knowledge of the area. Our tour will start from Cinta Costera located in the modern section of the city and will progress towards the second old city built by Spaniards during the colonial times, Casco Antiguo.

S P E C I A L D E S I G N T O U R S

KAYAKING THE PANAMA CANAL

DESTINATION: Gatun Lake

INCLUDES: water, snacks and guide

DESCRIPTION: Impressive and thrilling, the Panama Canal entrance is the door to one of the most highly traveled waterways in the world. Paddling along side the Canal, the adventure provides an atypical perspective of Panama’s natural and cultural heritage

ACADEMIC TOURS

– M A H AT M A G A N D H I

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”