Let's Meet Panama: Inclusion and accessibility at the heart of the regional tourism industry
The event brought together representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss best practices in accessible tourism, with cultural offerings, networking, and international cooperation
Meetings® Panama successfully held the 3rd International Let's Meet Panama: Connecting Social Inclusion and Accessibility Meeting , a space that brought together more than 200 tourism and sustainable events professionals. The meeting took place on May 30th in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Panama City Hotel, positioning itself as a key platform for promoting the transformation of the sector through accessibility.
During the event, an inclusive cultural experience was offered by 16 artists with disabilities. Exhibition spaces were also available for local artisans and foundations, fostering exchanges between representatives of the private sector, public institutions, and social organizations.
The program included the participation of prominent figures such as Demetrio Maduro, president of the Tourism Promotion Fund; Jorge Correa, deputy administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority; Ana Graça, resident coordinator of the United Nations system in the country; and Boris Iraheta, secretary general of CATA Central America. The presentations focused on the adoption of inclusive policies and business opportunities under the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
One of the highlights was the inclusive artistic gala, adapted for diverse audiences. Representatives from Inclusive Tourism Chile and CATA Central America also participated for the first time, sharing experiences on integration and universal design in tourism.
In her opening remarks, Patricia Puentes—founder of Meetings® Panama and Let's Meet Panama—stressed: “Inclusion should not be a trend, but rather a sustained and cross-cutting practice across the entire tourism and events value chain.”
The event was supported by key organizations such as the Panama Tourism Authority, PROMTUR, SENADIS, the Ministry of Culture, and the IPHE (National Institute of Statistics and Census), as well as the private sector. International experts from PCMA Latam and Fiexpo Latin America also participated, highlighting the need to implement accessibility from the initial planning stages.
Let's Meet Panama thus reaffirms its role as a training and networking space for those seeking to promote accessible, sustainable tourism with a positive social impact in the region.