TOURISM CARES WITH PANAMA

Meaningful Travel Summit

Tourism Cares with Panama | June 1 - 6, 2024


The Tourism Cares with Panama Meaningful Travel Summit will explore the crossroads of community, connection, and conservation within the travel and tourism industry. Situated at the intersection of two American continents and two oceans, Panama is a robust region full of diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, rich heritage, and vast biodiversity, attracting travelers from around the globe. As the country works to expand its tourism sector, Panama has embraced a sustainable tourism model that places its local communities and the environment at the center of its future growth.

The Meaningful Travel Summit seeks to showcase best practices in sustainable travel development by highlighting examples of Panamanian changemakers who are making a difference through tourism. Through hands-on workshops, panel discussions, and meaningful experiences, participants will learn how different segments of the travel industry can contribute to community empowerment and environmental stewardship, ensuring that tourism is a force for positive change in Panama and beyond.

The key objectives of the Summit include:

  • Empowering Communities – Demonstrating how residents can actively participate in the development of tourism products that are mutually beneficial for their local communities, the industry, and visitors.

  • Encouraging Cultural Exchange – Exploring ways to facilitate authentic cultural experiences that promote understanding and appreciation amongst travelers and local communities.

  • Safeguarding Assets - Showcasing how connecting community-led tourism, conservation, and meaningful travel can help protect a destination’s natural, cultural, and agricultural resources.

  • Fostering Collaboration – Identifying opportunities between various stakeholders, including government agencies, tour operators, NGOs, and local communities, to generate long-term success within sustainable tourism initiatives.

Meaningful Travel Map with Panama

Registration for Tourism Cares with Panama:

Tourism Cares with Panama is an invitation-only program and best suited for travel trade professionals, specifically senior product developers, executives, media, and CSR practitioners. This event is limited in capacity to best encourage vital and intimate dialogue and personalized experiences with local stakeholders.

Tourism Cares’ programs are designed to be inclusive, and all are welcome to attend and/or engage in our programs regardless of age, race, ethnicity, ability, gender, sexuality, or religion. We approach every program with accessibility and inclusivity in mind, ensuring that we are proactive in everyone’s ability to participate. 

If you would like more information on joining us, please contact Carrie Hodgen

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Saturday, June 1

  • Arrivals to Tocumen Airport (PTY), Panama City

  • Dinner on own; Night at Central Hotel

Sunday, June 2

  • Community Experiences in Achiote

    • Enjoy community-based experiences including birding, tree planting, and locally hosted lunch. 

  • Opening reception at the Biomuseo with an after-hours tour; Night at Central Hotel

Monday, June 3

  • Guided Walking Tour of Casco Viejo; Visit the San Felipe Community Garden at the  Mola Museum 

  • Education + Inspiration Session 

  • Dinner on own; Night at Central Hotel

Tuesday, June 4

  • Community Experiences in El Valle de Anton 

    • Explore a local farm, enjoy a community guided hike and locally prepared lunch 

  • Dinner on own; Night at Hotel Buenaventura 

Wednesday, June 5

  • Morning Community Experiences in La Pintada 

    • Explore trails and waterfalls on a community-guided hike followed by a locally provided lunch 

  • Afternoon Education Session 

  • Closing Reception; Night at Hotel Buenaventura

Thursday, June 6

  • Check-out

  • Transfers to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City and post-tours

Thank You to Our Host Destination:

Thank You to Our Sponsors

SPOTLIGHT: THE PEOPLE + PLACES OF TOURISM CARES

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre | Tourism Cares Grantee

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre was provided support on behalf of Globus Family of Brands to support ongoing mentorship, build capacity and foster resiliency for Indigenous community members through meaningful employment. The grant funds will also be used to develop a new guided tour called ANCIENT MEDICINES, enriching and connecting the cultural identity of the Indigenous Youth Ambassadors and Cultural Ambassadors the Centre works with.