WTM London: Panama invests heavily in sustainable tourism

Speaking at WTM London on 1 November, Monique Vega, counsellor for tourism affairs at the Embassy of Panama in the United Kingdom, said the five-year “master plan” will see the country “uniting to put sustainability on the front foot”.

Investment in tourism infrastructure and collaboration with local communities will create new product that gives back to local economies, while educating tourists on the importance of local, sustainable experiences.

“The new master plan transcends government and is in line with today’s trends for experiential travel in a post-pandemic world,” said Vega.

Panama is one of three countries in the world, alongside Bhutan and Suriname, to have achieved carbon-negative status this year, meaning its forests absorb more greenhouse gases than the country emits through tourism activity.

“We have the attention of the world now [regarding sustainability],” said Vega, “and now this [accolade] has made us more committed to the cause.”