WTJO brings together representatives from over ten countries at the Castillo histórico de Chagres

Members from more than ten countries who are part of the World Travel Journalism Organization (WTJO) were welcomed at Castillo de Chagres, located within the Bosque Protegido San Lorenzo  in Colón Province, Panama. The visit took place within the framework of the Open Passport Award and its institutional activities, which combine tourism, heritage, and journalism, aiming to highlight historical sites of high cultural and natural significance.  

Castillo de Chagres, also known as Fuerte San Lorenzo, was one of the main fortresses of the Spanish Empire’s defensive system in the Caribbean. Its purpose was to protect the mouth of the río Chagres , a strategic route used for centuries to transport goods and precious metals between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Explorers, merchants, and armies passed through this point, making it the scene of conflicts and pirate attacks that shaped the region’s history.  

Today, the castle is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site Fortifications on the Caribbean Coast of Panama, along with Portobelo, and is surrounded by the Bosque Protegido  San Lorenzo , one of the country’s most biodiverse areas. The visit by the WTJO underscores the importance of integrating travel journalism as a tool for the responsible dissemination of historical heritage, environmental conservation, and cultural exchange between nations.