{"id":10674,"date":"2026-09-24T21:06:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T19:06:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/?p=10674"},"modified":"2026-09-24T21:10:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T19:10:42","slug":"10674","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/2026\/09\/24\/10674\/","title":{"rendered":"Ricardo Koyner: “The fact that Panama is breaking price records and gaining global recognition for its coffee positions it as a destination for unique experiences”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A clear industry vision drives development and transformation at every level. Specialty coffee in Panama is a prime example, having seen robust growth in production and international profile, alongside the evolution of its sensory and historical appeal. Hosting “World of Coffee Panama” this year is the outcome of this vision and the collective effort that is positioning the country as a global player in the coffee industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, our Special Guest for this edition is a coffee entrepreneur and producer rooted in a multi-generational family tradition of coffee farming in Boquete. He was also a driving force behind the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP); he served as its inaugural president and has once again assumed the presidency for the 2025\u20132026 term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ricardo Koyner sits down with The Visitor-El Visitante for the second time in this segment to share his vision of specialty coffee and its promising future as a tourism product with international reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ricardo Koyner with his daughter Victoria Koyner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is the economic impact of specialty coffee on tourism in Panama compared to ten years ago?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The fact that Panama is breaking price records and gaining increasing global recognition for the quality of its coffee not only directly benefits bean production but also positions the country as a destination for unique experiences. Those who consume and pay for these exceptional coffees seek something far beyond a mere beverage; they want to discover the coffee’s origins and enjoy a sensory experience, much like the culture surrounding wine. This sparks an interest in visiting the farms, meeting the producers, and understanding the techniques that create these flavors\u2014including sustainability, regenerative agriculture, processing methods, and the social elements that underpin this high-quality ecosystem. While coffee-related tourism was still in its infancy ten years ago, today it is establishing itself as a distinct offering. Panama thus has the opportunity to position its coffee-growing regions much as Napa or Mendoza have done with wine: as international destinations built around an extraordinary product, the local landscape and culture, and the experiences that surround them.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bringing World of Coffee to Panama is an unprecedented achievement. What opportunities can this global event generate for the coffee industry and its associated experiences?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Bringing World of Coffee to Panama generates multiple impacts, starting with the strengthening of the country’s international reputation. The fact that Panama was chosen as the first Latin American destination to host the world’s most important coffee convention\u2014along with international competitions for baristas and various disciplines related to coffee preparation\u2014confirms the standing we have achieved as producers of some of the finest coffees on the planet. Furthermore, the arrival of over 10,000 visitors from numerous countries represents an extraordinary promotional platform: each participant becomes an ambassador for what we offer and a link between Panama and the rest of the world. During their stay, they can discover our specialty coffees in local cafes, and those who visit the farms will see firsthand the hard work, innovation, and processes required to achieve such high levels of quality. In this way, the event benefits not only the coffee sector but also tourism, gastronomy, the hospitality industry, commerce, and the Panamanian economy as a whole.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ricardo Koyner <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How are coffee farms preparing to participate in World of Coffee? Which coffee-growing regions are taking part?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The farms are preparing to offer a comprehensive experience centered on the place where the coffee is produced. The goal is to welcome visitors with an organized tourism offering that allows them to learn about the cultivation, the processes, and the people behind every bean, combining education with tasting and a sensory experience. The main participating regions are Renacimiento, Volcan, and Boquete; these areas are home to the bulk of Panamanian production destined for export and the majority of farms producing Geisha coffee. At the same time, many of the coffees from these farms will be available in Panama City coffee shops, creating a direct link for those unable to travel to the growing regions and allowing them to discover\u2014right from the capital city\u2014the origin, quality, and craftsmanship that distinguish Panamanian coffee.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the next step in continuing to capitalize on development opportunities in production, tourism experiences, and business diversification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The next step is to link the acclaim achieved by Panamanian coffee and its international marketing with tourism, effectively drawing the market directly to Panama. When a person visits a farm and experiences firsthand its landscapes, nature, environmental conservation efforts, cultivation processes, and the work behind every cup, their perception of the product shifts, and its value rises significantly. Therefore, we must work to transform the entire coffee-growing region into an international tourist destination centered around Geisha coffee. This strategy will create new opportunities for farms and for the communities and towns near production zones; it will also benefit Panama City, which serves as a gateway for visitors interested in the Canal, the Casco Antiguo, and the country’s other attractions. In this way, coffee can become a driving force that integrates production, export, experiences, and business diversification, thereby boosting Panama’s entire tourism economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Will it be possible in ten years to promote Panamanian coffee as a tourism draw alongside the country’s gastronomy?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I believe that in far less than ten years, it will be possible to establish Panama as a destination that integrates coffee and gastronomy. The country is already internationally recognized for its culinary offerings, and visitors drawn by the coffee tend to have a keen appreciation for quality flavors and experiences. That curiosity doesn’t end with a cup of coffee; it extends to restaurants, local products, and the various culinary expressions enjoyed throughout the day. In turn, restaurants will increasingly incorporate Panamanian coffee into their menus, pairings, desserts, and experiences, expanding its presence beyond just coffee shops. The connection between coffee and gastronomy will emerge naturally\u2014and likely well before the ten-year mark\u2014as we are already seeing a growing influx of visitors and rising international interest in Panamanian coffee.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A clear industry vision drives development and transformation at every level. Specialty coffee in Panama is a prime example, having seen robust growth in production and international profile, alongside the evolution of its sensory and historical appeal. Hosting “World of Coffee Panama” this year is the outcome of this vision and the collective effort that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10674"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10674"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10674\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10686,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10674\/revisions\/10686"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevisitorpanama.info\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}