With the goal of showcasing the diverse array of adventure travel opportunities in Panama, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Panama National Tourism Board, and local tour operators will be hosting 20 participants during AdventureWeek Panama 27 May-3 June.
During AdventureWeek Panama, 15 buyers and five members of the media will participate in agritourism and wildlife-related experiences, journey along the country’s coffee route, visit pristine beaches, learn about traditional and indigenous communities, and take part in adventure activities such as rafting, kayaking, and canopy tours. Panama is committed to low-impact and sustainable tourism and has a tourism sustainability standard that is mandatory within protected areas. Participants will have a chance to experience these initiatives during AdventureWeek.
Additionally, participants will meet with local tour operators and stakeholders and have an opportunity to offer feedback on how to improve the country’s infrastructure to better facilitate adventure tourism.
Panama has always been a point of passage, and many travelers are familiar with the Panama Canal, which has facilitated trade and transportation between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean for generations. However, the country is a relatively small territory allowing for quick and easy mobility between destinations, and it encompasses a rich ecosystem, making it an ideal destination for adventure tourism development. “Panama has a very rich mix of biodiversity, culture, heritage, and people,” said Ricardo Sandoval, planning and tourism development director of the Panama Tourism Authority. “Being the host of AdventureWeek, we will strengthen the efforts we are making to show the world that we are a great adventure travel destination.
“There are many places and each one of them has its unique qualities and personalities, for its people that inhabit it, and the biodiversity that each one offers,” Sandoval said. “Each experience, even in the same place, is different since every day there is something new that nature can surprise us.”
“On a recent trip to Panama, I fell in love with the biodiversity of the country — the tropical jungles, ocean, hills,” said Gabi Stowell, regional manager of Latin America for the ATTA. “I was also enamored with the local culture, fresh juices, coffee production, and historical elements that involve the canal and legacy of pirates.”
Qualified tour operators and travel advisors from North American and Europe are invited to apply to be hosted on AdventureWeek Panama today through 6 March.
On February 15, the ATTA will host a free educational webinar on Panama, including a behind-the-scenes preview of the AdventureWeek itinerary. Sign up for the free destination showcase webinar.