In this context, Travel2latam spoke with Fernando Fondevila, CEO of Promtur Panama.
It has been a very important edition both for you and for Fiexpo. I would like a reflection on what we have experienced these days...
This is the third year of being the host country of Fiexpo. We see it with a little sadness due to the fact that the event is going to rotate, and at the same time with great enthusiasm because it has allowed the meetings industry to grow, not only for Panama but for Latin America.
Panama has been that bridge that connects the Latin American meetings industries with international buyers for three years, with extremely varied activities, including sustainability, the education of future generations and the professionalization of those of us who are in the tourism industry, because we have brought during these three years to the main organizations of global industries, from their leaders, main presidents or CEOs, to the trainers, in such a way that certification was also given.
Beyond the economic impact that this event generates, which in the year 2024 in particular, the economic impact of the event alone is approximately $91 million, we also have the businesses that are closed or confirmed in the future, in the next four or five years. This industry is negotiated a few years in advance. The estimate of business that is already being captured is an important aspect in what generates education and legacy.
During these editions of Fiexpo we have also worked to establish sustainability practices for congresses, conventions and meetings. That is to say, we worked not only on holding a meeting, but also, for example, on taking care of the reduction of energy or energy consumption, or on the elimination or reduction of single-use plastics during the days of the fair. . It is not just about establishing new businesses, but about taking care of our planet, our environment, and doing it responsibly.
These days we have had nearly 1,700 visitors in Panama who are specialists, exhibitors, international buyers from Latin America, the Caribbean, North America and Europe, which allows us as a country to present all our tourist experiences and the capacity that Panama has to really make a great impact on the meetings industry during these last three editions.
How do you operate the logistics, the internal work when putting all this together?
Even before the exhibition there are important logistics in an event like this, because since Saturday we have been in educational sessions, certifications and workshops, for example, through different hotels in the town. Our visitors are getting to know not only this large convention center, which is the most modern in the region, but they are also getting to know more about the offer that Panama has for the capacity to hold congresses, commissions and meetings. Since Saturday we have been taking them to different hotels or venues so that they can receive certifications, those challenges that we have done with international organizations, those exchanges with associations that also bring best practices.
But not only elevate Panama, but elevate Latin America, because in the end what we seek is for Latin America to continue raising its level globally speaking. And having an exhibition like this, where you have a significant number of participating countries from our region, obviously generates a lot of value for the meetings industry of our sector in the region.
And organizing an event like this takes many months, many hours. Setting it up can take two or three days, but obviously what lies behind that are months of work, extensive hours dedicated to the organization so that everything is impeccable. And the truth is that our international visitors are in the end what rate us and tell us what they thought of the new edition of Fiexpo. We hope that it has been completely satisfactory for those who have visited us on this occasion.
The stand that this year has surprised us all with its sustainable proposal that emulates the Panama Canal.
We are already about two years after we decided as a country to have a master plan for sustainable tourism and we also have a motto to take care of our natural resources. Panama has more than 50% of its coasts declared protected areas, more than 60% of our national territory is represented by forests, including first-class forests, and we have 17 national parks. That is, we are very aware of the importance of taking care of our resources. And to be able to talk about the wonders of Panama and the tourist experiences, you also had to demonstrate it in a responsible way at international fairs, where it is not only about closing new businesses, but also taking care of our planet, our environment and doing it responsibly. .