Panama will once again be present at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), which will be held from January 22 to 26 in Madrid. This year, Visit Panama (PROMTUR) and the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) will highlight the country's natural, cultural and gastronomic wealth as the main axes of their participation. At their stand, located in Pavilion 3 of the fair and designed to transport visitors on a unique sensory journey, gastronomic experiences will be offered with two internationally renowned chefs: Mario Castrellón (ranked 14 on the Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list) and Isaac Villaverde (ranked 74 on the Latin America's 100 Best Restaurants ranking). Immersive activities will also be held, including tastings, cultural performances and a 360° virtual tour of the country's most emblematic landscapes.
FITUR will also promote Menu Panama 2025, a gastronomic-musical festival that will be held from April 24 to 26, 2025 in Panama City. This event, which will benefit TURIGASTRO, the first chamber of gastronomic tourism in Panama, aims to articulate a message of unity and highlight the country's gastronomy as a bridge of connection for the Central American region and the Caribbean.
Demetrio Maduro, President of the Board of Directors of Visit Panama (PROMTUR), mentioned: "The inauguration will take place on Thursday, April 24, 2025, with international and Panamanian chefs offering a unique gastronomic experience with live cooking shows. For three days, attendees will be able to enjoy gastronomic routes that highlight the most representative flavors of the regions of Panama, such as Afro-Panamanian cuisine in Colón, Chinese-Panamanian gastronomy in El Dorado and Condado, as well as a haute cuisine proposal from the Pearl Islands. In addition, we will work closely with public markets, street food and popular chefs, promoting an authentic connection with the country's culinary heritage."
“In addition, there will be music festivals, exclusive dinners and a variety of cultural activities that highlight the country's gastronomic and cultural wealth, attracting both tourists and local residents,” Maduro concluded.
“At FITUR 2025, we want visitors to not only get to know, but to experience Panama in all its essence. Through Menu Panama, we invite them to explore our cultural and gastronomic wealth in a unique experience full of flavor and tradition. Two outstanding Panamanian chefs and talents will be in charge of delighting attendees with creations that tell our stories, accompanied by activities that reflect our diversity and warmth as a tourist destination. It is an opportunity for the world to connect in a personal and authentic way with Panama,” said Gloria De León, Minister of Tourism of Panama.
Located between two oceans and two continents, Panama offers an unparalleled experience with exceptional biodiversity, highlighting the most studied tropical forest on the planet and its national parks. Its capital, Panama City, combines the modernity of its skyscrapers with the history of the Casco Antiguo and the Panama Canal, both World Heritage Sites. In addition, the mix of indigenous, Afro-descendant and Spanish cultures is reflected in its gastronomy, recognized by UNESCO. From the islands of Bocas del Toro to the mountains of Boquete, Panama is a unique destination for travelers seeking outdoor adventures, natural paradises, history and authentic experiences.
Panama’s international connectivity continues to grow with the confirmation of Condor airline, which will begin operating direct flights between Panama City (PTY) and Frankfurt (FRA) starting in June 2025. This new route will further strengthen connections between Panama and Europe, with flights operating twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays. The service, which will be operated with an A330-900neo aircraft with capacity for 310 passengers, will increase the arrival of more European passengers to Panama, opening new opportunities for cultural exchange and tourism in the country.
At FITUR 2025, Panama's stand will be a vibrant space where attendees can immerse themselves in the country's culture, gastronomy and nature. Throughout the five days of the event, Panama will offer a series of outstanding activities that will allow visitors to experience first-hand the best of this unique destination. These activities are:
1-Gastronomic experience (from January 23 to 25, 2025)
Chefs Mario Castrellón and Isaac Villaverde, internationally recognized for their outstanding contribution to Panamanian gastronomy, will lead a series of tastings featuring traditional and modern dishes. Castrellón, whose restaurant Maito is ranked #14 on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants, and Villaverde, owner of La Tapa del Coco, ranked #74 on the list of the 100 best restaurants in Latin America, will surprise attendees with authentic flavors that reflect the cultural and natural diversity of Panama.
2-360° Virtual Tour (January 22-26)
During the five days of the fair, visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to take an immersive virtual tour of Panama's main tourist attractions. Using 360° technology, they will be able to explore iconic places such as the Panama Canal, the paradisiacal beaches of Bocas del Toro and the impressive Darien National Park, one of the richest natural spaces on the planet.
3-Cultural performance (from January 24 to 26)
Throughout the weekend, the stand will come to life with traditional dance performances and cultural performances that will showcase the colors and energy of Panamanian traditions.
These activities are part of a comprehensive promotional strategy to showcase Panama's diversity, both in its cultural and natural offerings, positioning the country as an accessible, modern and historical tourist destination.
Source: Visit Panama.