24 OCT 2018: Close to 100 travel counsellors turned out in Montreal and Toronto last week for a primer on Panama, courtesy of the country’s tourism board and a handful of local suppliers. Agents were treated to dinner, presentation and mini trade show, along with the chance to win prizes, including a trip to the Central American destination.

Luis Vargas, tourism promotor for the Panama Tourism Authority, told Travel Industry Today that he was thrilled with attendance at the events, particularly because Canada is a key market for Panama, not least because of the extensive lift between the countries. Canadian carriers Air Canada, Sunwing and Transat all serve the route, as does Copa Airlines, which flies five times a week from Toronto and four times weekly from Montreal. Flights are about five hours.

Panama is also a major port of call for cruiser liners transiting the Panama Canal.

And while Canadians are mainly interested in Panama’s beaches, which frame the country between both Caribbean and Pacific coasts, Vargas points out that there is much more to the country than its sand and surf.

Panama City, for example, is a modern cosmopolitan city reminiscent of Miami (with similar nightlife) that has recently opened the first subway in Central America. As such it is a popular meetings and incentives destination, he points out, also noting that the city will also host World Youth Day in 2019 with 200,000 people expected.

But Panama City is better known for its historic district, which has been recognized by UNESCO for its status as the oldest European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas, dating to its founding in 1519 by the Spanish conquistador Pedrarias Davila.

It is also a melting pot of culture, where indigenous locals live and visit to sell goods, usually garbed in colourful, traditional outfits. “Where else do you see that?” says Vargas

“Panama has so many things,” agrees Maru Galvez of Air Panama Viajes, who points to the country’s 1,500 islands as an example. But while visitors “could spend three years” exploring them, she’s quick to note, “we’re a small country and you can do a lot in a little time. (In Panama) you can see and do a lot and have a lot of different experiences.”

One of the most noteworthy, of course, is visiting the Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering that was expanded in 2016, and which draws legions of visitors just to look.

Panama is also a “green” country, with 40 percent of its natural environment designated as protected territory. And with that comes a wealth of eco opportunities, including bird and whale watching and all manner of natural activities. In less than an hour, visitors get from Panama City to heart of the jungle to visit a natural preserve or native village.

Vargas cites Costa Rica as an environmental contemporary but is quick to add that Panama doesn’t want to be pigeonholed as a one-trick pony.

“Panama,” he says, “is a very unique country.”