WTJO took part in the launch of the Panama Barista Experience in Casco Antiguo

The World Travel Journalism Organization participated in the official launch of the Panama Barista Experience, an innovative proposal created by Viajes Auténticos that is arriving for the first time in the Casco Antiguo of Panama City, combining tourism, coffee, culture, and history in a heritage setting of high symbolic value.

The activity took place in the hall of Iglesia La Merced and was aimed at Latin American travel journalists connected to Open Passport, who enjoyed an immersive experience in which visitors become a Barista of Panama. The concept offers guided learning led by specialists, allowing participants not only to taste Panamanian coffee,recognized worldwide,but also to understand its origin, handle it, and prepare it, creating a direct connection with the product and its history.   

The experience was born out of the multiple participations of Viajes Auténticos in national and international trade fairs, where a shift in visitor expectations was identified. Beyond tasting, audiences sought to become actively involved in the coffee-making process, embracing both the honor and responsibility of participating in its creation and understanding the cultural value that surrounds it.

Viajes Auténticos, the tour operator and creator of this initiative, announced that the Panama Barista Experience will also take place in the halls of  Iglesia San Francisco , further establishing Casco Antiguo as the setting for this new tourism activity that highlights heritage, identity, and local knowledge.   

The launch was made possible thanks to the support of the Panama Tourism Authority, the churches of Casco Antiguo that will host the experience, Agua Bambito, Gotury as the booking platform, and a team of specialists led by Julio Villasmil of Infumas, Eduardo Santiago, producer of Café Vicna and Vintage Café, and Luis Rovira. APAVIT and the Circuito del Café also participated as guests, integrating the entire value chain of the sector.  

From the WTJO, the importance of initiatives that transform visitors into protagonists was highlighted, as they strengthen cultural and experiential tourism while generating authentic content for travel journalism in the region. The organization thanked Open Passport for sharing this gathering, which, although brief, left a profound impact.