More from Tourism minister on immigration

I realy don't know what to make of Mr. Blades's pronouncements about the visa issue. He sights the high prices as the attributing factor for Panama losing its number one spot as the top retirement destination. He fails to clarify exactly what it is he wants except control and taxes, both of which are the main reasons people are leaving the countries to live here. I posted the Spanish version in case someone else can clarify better what he is trying to say.

Panama Drops as Top Retirement Destination Panama is the country of Latin America that registered in 2006 greater number of visitors (1, 215, 083), with a growth of 20,1%, according to the World-wide Organization of Tourism (OMT). In spite of the growth, one recent survey revealed that Panama lowered from number one, in the list of preference of retiree foreign tourist, to 4th place. Minister Rubén Blades said that the pick up of retired tourists descended, because the price per square meter of the apartments rose to $5 thousands. As the prices increased the cost, the tourists are looking for other destinies, Blades said.

Regarding the visas, Blades said that they want to regulate the Immigration and the basic tourist visa  of 30 days, the one of winter season for 90 days (5 months?), the temporary resident will have to pay taxes, the health visa for 60 days extension and later, through the Ministry of Government and Justice, Chancellery and Ministry of Commerce, the investors visa, investigation and the pensionado visa. 

Panamá desciende como destino de jubilados
Aet Elisa Tejera C. | Crítica en Línea

  Panamá es el país de América Latina que registró en el 2006 el mayor número de visitantes (1, 215, 083), con un crecimiento del 20.1%, según la Organización Mundial de Turismo (OMT). A pesar del crecimiento, una reciente encuesta reveló que Panamá bajó de número uno, en la lista de preferencia de los turistas extranjeros de la tercera edad, a la posición cinco. El ministro Rubén Blades dijo que la captación de turistas jubilados descendió, debido a que el precio por metro cuadrado de los apartamentos se elevó a $5 mil. En la medida que se incrementa el costo, los turistas van buscando otros destinos, explicó Blades. Respecto a las visas, Blades dijo que se busca regular con Migración que la visa básica de turista sea por 30 días, la de temporada fría por 90 días (5 meses), la residente temporal tendrá que pagar impuestos, la visa de salud con 60 días prorrogable y más adelante, a través del Ministerio de Gobierno, Cancillería y Ministerio de Comercio, las visas de inversionistas, de investigación y la de pensionados residentes.