UNWTO and Panama boost innovation through community-based tourism

31-10-22

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) launched the Innovative Community Tourism Experiences Contest, to promote innovation through partnerships between tour operators and community tourism providers.

With the presence of 30 community leaders, in their colourful traditional attire representing the cultural diversity of the different indigenous, Afro and mestizo peoples of Panama, the UNWTO and the ATP shared with the media the official information of the contest.

The contest will promote innovative and disruptive tourism experiences that motivate the conservation and regeneration of Panama's natural and cultural heritage, empowering local communities. The contest categories will be framed within the five Heritage Routes of Panama established in the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism 2020 - 2025: 1) Bridge of the World Route, 2) Melting Pot of Cultures Route, 3) Forests of Life Route, 4) Birds in Paradise Route, 5) Ocean Wonders Route.

Applications will be open until 15 March 2023. The grand winner of the competition will receive: a) a prize of US$25,000 in infrastructure for the community of the winning experience, b) a place to showcase the experience at the Adventure Travel World Summit 2023 in Japan. The five finalist experiences will receive: a) a UNWTO Tourism Online Academy course, b) be part of the UNWTO Innovation Network, with global visibility through UNWTO social media channels, c) seed capital of US$2,000 each for the communities, d) a place for each of the 5 finalists at Adventure Next Latin America 2023 to market their experiences.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, said: "During the pandemic, technology and a growing sense of responsibility have created a need to develop new transformative products, which are more inclusive and sustainable, and with this contest we are driving an effort in this direction."

Panama's Minister of Tourism, Iván Eskildsen highlighted, "Our Sustainable Tourism Master Plan states that to achieve true sustainability, local communities must be at the heart of the tourism phenomenon. We value the support of the UNWTO, betting on the transformation of our industry".

As of July 2022 Panama surpassed 1 million visitors, more than triple the visitor arrivals of 2021. With this contest launched together with UNWTO, Panama seeks not only to recover pre-pandemic visitor levels (it is estimated that the monthly volume will be recovered before the end of the year), but above all to transform the country through tourism, improving the quality of life of local communities, while preserving and regenerating its natural and cultural treasures.