Events, congresses, and conventions are activities that generate enormous dynamism for tourism in Panama. A good example of this potential is Expocomer, which has been held for 42 years and continues to be one of the major events in the country. Along with three other Expos, the country will become one of the most important tourism destinations in the region at the end of March. This is why our special guest is the president of the Organizing Committee of the Panama Chamber of Commerce, a high-level professional who has performed exceptionally well in both business and government positions. Manuel Jose Paredes speaks to us exclusively about the potential of convention tourism and what can be done to achieve it.
How do major events like Expocomer, Expo Logistica Panama, Expo Turismo Internacional, Expo Tech and Expo Electrica Internacioal help boost tourism in Panama?
“Forty-two years ago, we began organizing Expocomer, which, in addition to becoming a trade showcase, has become one of the events that clearly marks Panama’s tourism calendar, since March has been the month with the highest hotel occupancy for many years in Panama. This is because besides being summer and the best time to come visit Panama, it is also when Expocomer takes place.
We have already confirmed more than 3,000 visitors who will come to Panama as buyers at the trade shows. Add to that the group from each of the 30 countries officially represented in the Expocomer pavilions, and we expect at least 7,500 room nights occupied the week of March 25th, as a result of the events.
What Panama has that other countries in the region don’t have to host large events?
“Look, in real estate, the three most important things are location, location, and location. So, Panama as a destination for conventions and conferences has all three.
We have the facilities to host large events at the Amador Convention Center, medium-sized events at the Atlapa Convention Center, and smaller ones at the Vasco Núñez de Balboa Convention Center. Likewise, all of Panama’s major hotels have rooms and areas that can be used for conferences and events. That, in addition to the flight connectivity we have through COPA, which connects you directly to major cities in South America, the Caribbean, Central America, and North America, makes Panama an easy country to travel to and from. If you have to go, for example, to a convention and have to take three or four flights, you’ll think twice. Besides, this city is a gem that we, unfortunately, have kept it secret. Here in Panama, in ten minutes you’re in the middle of a pristine tropical forest, just like the ones in Costa Rica that are three hours from the city. These types of activities are also attractive for those who want to come to a convention where they’re not only interested in being locked away, but also in seeing and enjoying Panama, its cuisine, tourism, and shopping”.
What do we need to be on par with other countries in the region that have been hosting major international events and are ahead of us?
“I think it’s a matter of coordinating efforts. For many years, the Chamber of Commerce has been making efforts by itself, the Tourism Authority has done the same thing, and COPA has been making efforts on its own.
But when we all work together, as is the case with Expocomer, where all these organizations I mentioned provide great support, success is guaranteed. So, what we have to do is work together as one: the private sector, all stakeholders in the tourism industry, and the government to identify, promote, and attract the types of clients we want to bring. At Expocomer, we do that work. We went to Puebla, Mexico, and spoke with Expo Electrica Internacional, a company that has been holding what is Mexico’s largest electronics fair for over 40 years. And thanks to Expocomer as our letter of introduction, we convinced them to come to Panama”.
How you visualize the future of events and conventions in Panama? What ideas could you offer us to make this tourism sector the fastest-growing in the country?
“I think the most important thing is that we all have to recognize and identify convention tourism as one of the pillars of development for the tourism industry in Panama. I believe that events like Expocomer serve to raise the bar and highlight the convention tourism industry in Panama as a success story. In 2026, the World of Coffee will be held in Panama because we went there and showed them what we do with Expocomer, and for the first time they are leaving Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to come to the American continent to hold the first fair outside their region.
That’s a very important milestone”.
Photos courtesy: Manuel Jose Paredes – CCIAP
