CHECKING IN WITH FERNANDO FONDEVILA
CEO, PROMTUR Panamá
What are the most exciting changes underway in Panamá City culture right now?
Historically, Panamá has been a meeting point for people, businesses and ideas. Established thousands of years ago by ancient civilizations, the land that has become modern-day Panamá features an enriching mix of cultural diversity where indigenous roots merge with African heritage and Spanish influence. The abundance that results from the convergence of this cultural wealth makes Panamá an ideal destination for travelers seeking authentic and stimulating destinations. Particularly in Panamá City, we’ve seen an increase in modernity and an active cosmopolitan life over the past decade or so, but one that blends seamlessly with ancestral cultures and rich traditions, making for a unique travel experience.
In what ways will visitors see that exemplified?
In Panamá City you can find the Casco Antiguo and Panamá Viejo neighborhoods, both labeled UNESCO Cultural World Heritage sites, blending beautifully with a modern skyline showcasing the booming business and cosmopolitan lifestyle of this Latin American hot spot. As a testament to the rich culture alive in Panamá City, it was recently declared a Creative City of Gastronomy for its rich multicultural heritage of flavors and inspiring creativity. Eating in Panamá City is like embarking on a trip around the world with your palate: Each dish and restaurant you find hidden in the streets of Panamá City is a result of the myriad cultures that have arrived and settled in the country for centuries.
What industries should we be watching in Panamá City?
An industry to watch in Panamá City is the conference and convention tourism that has exploded in the last few years. Our city stands out in the region for having a modern and adequate infrastructure to support conventionand conference-related tourism. We have the Panama Convention Center, a world-class convention center that has a capacity of 23,000 visitors. In addition, we have a large number and variety of hotels and restaurants guaranteeing visitors different options to choose from and a first-class stay, all while encouraging cultural immersion while on business.
How does the convention industry enhance tourism for Panamá City, outside of just bringing people in for a few days at a time?
Convention tourism is the perfect opportunity to encourage people to come and meet us in order to get a taste of what Panamá has to offer. A positive experience during the convention will motivate visitors to return to enjoy other facets of our country, ultimately contributing to sustainable tourism and continued economic growth. This phenomenon reinforces the importance of offering attractive experiences both in business events and in leisure activities tied to tourism.
As the skyscraper capital of Latin America, how does Panamá City focus on attracting international business?
Leveraged by these enormous competitive advantages, at PROMTUR Panamá we promote the establishment of an association center called Panama Association Hub. It’s a pioneering project in the region which seeks to attract international associations and organizations to establish their offices and operations in the country and is a result of the agreement that Panamá maintains as the only Latin American partner of the International Congress and Convention Association. With this initiative, Panamá became the headquarters of the first Association Center in Latin America and has positioned itself as the gateway for knowledge, innovation and meetings for Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond.