{"id":18129,"date":"2026-10-19T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=18129"},"modified":"2026-10-19T11:33:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T16:33:18","slug":"the-earthquake-will-not-destroy-tourism-panama-ramps-up-promotion-and-confirms-35-major-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/travel-transportation-tourism\/the-earthquake-will-not-destroy-tourism-panama-ramps-up-promotion-and-confirms-35-major-events\/","title":{"rendered":"The Earthquake Will Not Destroy Tourism! Panama Ramps Up Promotion and Confirms 35 Major Events"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Panama’s tourism authority is intensifying its tourism promotion efforts<\/a> to prevent a collapse in visitor arrivals following the October 9 earthquake<\/a>, as officials work to reassure international partners that most destinations remain operational despite damage in select coastal communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gloria De Le\u00f3n, administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority<\/a> (ATP), confirmed that all 35 events scheduled through year-end remain on the calendar, including World of Coffee<\/a> this week and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) gathering in November, which is expected to draw more than 1,500 attendees over seven days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Administrador
The ATP, alongside Promtur Panam\u00e1, is maintaining its international marketing push to counter any perception that the entire country is paralyzed. Administrador de turismo. By ATP.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tourism Promotion Efforts Target International Confidence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ATP, alongside Promtur Panam\u00e1, is maintaining its international marketing push to counter any perception that the entire country is paralyzed. De Le\u00f3n emphasized that direct communication with wholesalers, tour operators, travel agencies, and strategic allies continues without minimizing the real damage recorded in interior regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

“We cannot stop. Our destination is ready to receive visitors” [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The strategy includes a country brand campaign spotlighting destinations that remain fully operational, including Panama City, Isla Col\u00f3n in Bocas del Toro, Tierras Altas, Boquete, and El Valle de Ant\u00f3n. The authority’s goal remains reaching 3.2 million visitors by the close of 2026, though De Le\u00f3n acknowledged the earthquake has altered the path to that target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Earthquake
Multiple locations across the central provinces\u2014including Playa Venao, El Hicaco, Farf\u00e1n, and Lagartero\u2014sustained severe earthquake damage that affected the local tourism industry. Earthquake damages on Pedasi Road. By GESE Panama.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Damage Assessment in Santa Catalina and Playa Venao<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Field assessments revealed contrasting situations in two key beach destinations. In Santa Catalina, Veraguas, hotels and restaurants sustained minimal damage and continue operating, but workers lost homes in communities such as El Hicaco, Farf\u00e1n, and Lagartero. Playa Venao in Los Santos shows a similar pattern, with two hotels severely affected while the remaining establishments stay open and ready for guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ATP is coordinating with the Ministry of Housing and Territorial Development (Miviot) to support recovery efforts in these areas while keeping tourism businesses functional. De Le\u00f3n said the institution maintains communication with regional tourism chambers to compile data on the most affected hotels and identify short, medium, and long-term solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tras el reciente terremoto que ha afectado a varias regiones del pa\u00eds, la C\u00e1mara de Comercio, Industrias y Agricultura de Panam\u00e1 (CCIAP) hizo un firme llamado al sector empresarial y a la ciudadan\u00eda a mantener el motor econ\u00f3mico en marcha. \n\nDe acuerdo con el gremio, mantener empresas abiertas, proteger empleos y dinamizar el turismo es la v\u00eda m\u00e1s sostenible para fortalecer al pa\u00eds y canalizar asistencia directa hacia las comunidades perjudicadas. \n\nEl presidente de la CCIAP, Aurelio Barr\u00eda Pino, destac\u00f3 que en momentos de crisis cada sector debe aportar desde la plataforma donde genere un impacto real y positivo. \n\n#MetroLibre \n\n#MetroLibre<\/p>— Metro Libre (@MetroLibrePTY) October 19, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>\n