Panama Educational Sessions & Schedule

Minister of Tourism

Lawyer and Financial Specialist with a specialization in Tourism Planning. She excelled in the formulation of the Coastal Tourism Master Development Plan of Panama and was part of the team that designed the Tourism, Conservation and Research (TCR) Plan, led by Dr. Hanna Ayala.

In her roles in the public sector, she served as the Director of Investments at the Panama Tourism Authority from 1994 to 1999. She was also a member of the Presidential Commission for investment attraction and incentives for cruise lines.

Since the year 2000, her private practice has been dedicated to consulting investors in the tourism industry, which has contributed to the development in areas such as hospitality, nautical tourism, ecotourism, and tour operators throughout the country.

Starting in July 2019, she served as the Deputy General Administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP). She was part of the team that updated the Sustainable Tourism Master Plan 2020-2025, which was elevated to state public policy in 2021. Additionally, she managed important regulations for the nautical tourism industry.

CEO

There are many faces of Tourism Cares and as CEO, Greg feels fortunate to be one. He has strived to be a poster child for the organization since its very beginning. The inaugural Ellis Island event in 2003 sparked an interest to give back to our travel and tourism industry. Greg volunteered throughout the years, became a team leader, then a board member and from there, was honored to become its Chairman and subsequently, its CEO. He believes that progression wasn’t a coincidence. We have a lot of work to do, creating and inspiring positive social and environmental impact, to ensure an enduring sustainable future, so we need your help and support.

CEO

Fernando Fondevila brings over 25 years of experience in the tourism sector, including various positions at Copa Airlines. As Regional Commercial Manager for North America, he successfully launched new destinations and collaborated with tourism authorities. Fernando is renowned for promoting Panama as a leading tourist destination and implementing effective sales strategies. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and has been appointed to the Regional Advisory Council, strengthening PCMA's presence in Latin America. As CEO of PROMTUR Panama, Fernando plays an important role in driving the growth and promotion of Panama's tourism industry. 

Managing Director

Malia Asfour began handling tourism for the Jordanian government in the U.S. as tourism attaché in Washington in 1995. She was a key participant in creating the country’s first tourism office in North America, which was launched in 1997. She has opened the North and South American markets for Jordan tourism, helped open the Russian and Chinese markets, and has been instrumental in increasing revenue to Jordan through her marketing expertise. She is very passionate about sustainable tourism and helped in the creation of the Meaningful Travel Map of Jordan.

Malia currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors Tourism Cares; member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) Board of Directors; TCS World Travel Innovation Board; Petra National Foundation (PNF) Board of Directors, USTOA’s Destination for Destination Co-Chair and serves on The Destination Task Force Board.

President

With over two decades of experience, Annie is a visionary in sustainable tourism. As the co-founder and president of the Panamanian Foundation for Sustainable Tourism (APTSO), she has been instrumental in launching initiatives like The Sustainable Rural Tourism Network of Panama (SOSTUR) and the Panama Alliance for Community Tourism (PACTO), which support local cooperatives, artisans, farmers, and youth entrepreneurs, fostering inclusive tourism and community resilience.

Annie's expertise extends beyond conceptualization to the operationalization of sustainable tourism models that attract diverse audiences, including adventure travelers and the LGBTQ+ community. Her tenure as CEO at EcoCircuitos and Sublime Journeys DMC showcased her ability to merge authenticity with environmental care, offering travelers unique and transformational experiences rooted in Panama's rich cultural and natural heritage. Annie's career is more than a profession; it's a calling, as she continues to promote Panama on the global stage while advocating for equitable and conscious tourism practices within the country. Her unwavering dedication and vision inspire a sustainable tourism ethos, emphasizing inclusivity and ecological mindfulness.

Executive Director and CEO

Gilberto Alemancia has been a pioneer in the development of Indigenous Tourism in Panama for over 30 years. He is the CEO and Founder of the Indigenous Tourism Network of Panama(REDTURI PANAMA), an NGO dedicated to advancing Indigenous Tourism in the country.

Along with other leaders from Indigenous tourism networks, he co-founded the “Latin American and Caribbean Network of Indigenous Tourism”, which unites Indigenous tourism leaders across the region. He is also a prominent figure in the indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas.

Gilberto has served as an international speaker on indigenous tourism issues. Additionally, he was an official tour guide and liaison with the indigenous general congress at the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) for more than 22 years, up until 2022.

In 1998, he supported the creation of the heritage route “Route of Mythological Landscapes and the Indigenous World” within the framework of Tourism-Conservation- Research (TCR).

In collaboration with Soguiguili Diaz, representing REDTURI PANAMA, he contributed to the Panama case study in the “Compendium of Good Practices in Indigenous Tourism, Regional Focus on the Americas”, document developed and published in 2023 by UN Tourism and World Indigenous Tourism Alliance (WINTA).

Currently, Gilberto is part of a group of experts for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), working on developing the regulations of Law 290 in Panama, which pertains to Indigenous Tourism.

Project Manager

Rubiela Barnet is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of diverse experience across project management, planning, and consultancy in tourism, environmental, and cultural research. Her expertise includes advising community enterprises, drafting legislation for indigenous peoples, and leveraging technology for sustainable tourism practices. Rubiela has a proven track record of developing impactful partnerships with governmental and non-governmental institutions, both nationally and internationally.

In addition to her consultancy work, Rubiela is the proud owner of OLUA, a thriving handicrafts company, and GRUPO BARNET, a consultancy firm specializing in community project management for indigenous communities. Her commitment to empowering indigenous peoples and promoting sustainable tourism practices is evident in her work and advocacy efforts. Rubiela's passion for her work shines through in her role as a university professor and cultural tourism delegate for the Republic of Panama in Europe, where she continues to make a lasting impact.

Jennifer Ceballos is an electronic engineer by profession and a passionate advocate of sustainable tourism. Her journey in the world of tourism began at the age of 19, when she began to actively participate in hiking groups and volunteering in Colón, her native province.

Jenny is the founder of El Trip de Jenny, an alternative tourism agency that offers experiences to discover Panama like a local. She leads her team with an inspiring vision and unwavering commitment to authenticity and sustainability.

She has received several awards, magazine covers, and articles of interest, which highlight her commitment to excellence and innovation in tourism. Among these are "Panamá en Positivo," TripAdvisor's "Traveler Choice" for three consecutive years, and the most recent, the "Innovative Community Tourism Experiences Contest" promoted by the Tourism Authority of Panama, ONWTO, and PROMTUR. She is an active member of APTSO, ATTA, and the Board of Directors of the Colón Chamber of Commerce.

Marketing Director

Jennifer Janson's professional journey reflects her experience in sales, marketing, and brand management, especially in the aviation and tourism sectors. With over 18 years of marketing experience, and more than a decade specifically in the tourism industry, Jennifer brings extensive knowledge and strategic intuition to her roles.

During her time at Copa Airlines, she held key positions such as Senior Sales Manager for Vacation Packages and Senior Loyalty Marketing Manager. In these roles, Jennifer led strategic initiatives to develop net-fare products, foster partnerships with tourism authorities, and create and position the ConnectMiles loyalty program. Her contributions were instrumental in enhancing the Copa Airlines brand presence and promoting customer engagement.

Jennifer's career also encompasses her experience at Wunderman a global digital marketing and advertising agency, where she served as an Account Executive. There, she demonstrated her ability to implement strategic marketing initiatives across diverse industries, establishing herself as a valuable asset in the fields of marketing and communications.

Executive Vice President, Public Relations

Julie has 30 years of experience creating innovative programs that build and elevate travel and hospitality brands through media relations, consumer engagement, and strategic partnerships and events at the local, national and international levels. She leads the agency’s public relations, social media and experiential marketing practice, in addition to managing MMGY Global’s New York City office. In 2023, Julie was named a Changemaker by PR News’ Top Women in PR awards, and she has won numerous HSMAI Adrian Awards for her work. Julie serves as Co-Chair of Destination International’s PR & Communications Committee and on HSMAI's Adrian Awards Steering Committee. Previously, Julie spent 17 years at Edelman, helping to build their global tourism offering.

Julie graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California with Bachelor of Arts degrees in public relations and Spanish. She is always looking for her next big adventure – no matter where in the world it takes her.

Marketing Director

Carolina Trejos has extensive experience in Director level positions for leading multinational brands, including Avianca Airlines, Citibank and Scotiabank. She has brought this experience to the Costa Rica Tourism Board, where she is responsible for designing and implementing marketing and communication strategies to promote Costa Rica’s brand locally and abroad. The Costa Rica Tourism Board primary focus is on increasing awareness of Costa Rica as a first-choice, biodiverse, and sustainable travel destination in relevant markets.

Carolina is an active negotiator and representative for Costa Rica with major international airlines and global tourist companies for initiatives and cooperative efforts to drive travel to Costa Rica. She is the lead member of the Tourism Marketing Committee, a private-public committee responsible for aligning the marketing investment and focus of the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) with the needs and development plans of the private sector.

Founder, Director

Adrian was born in Panama and has lived in various cities in Mexico, California, and Colorado. Growing up surrounded by jungles, oceans, rivers, and mountains made him very aware of nature’s fragile beauty, inspiring him to dedicate his life to a career in environmental conservation. Adrian obtained a BA from the University of Colorado and a MS from Colorado State University. He is currently working towards a PhD in Recreation Park and Tourism Management at Penn State University. He has worked in various spheres of the conservation world: as an environmental education practitioner, zoo and botanical garden Director, and as Director of Panama’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Department. However, his passion for outdoor recreation (backpacking, kayaking, mountaineering) is at the heart of his current work. In 2013, he founded Caminando Panamá, a Panama-based NGO, that works to foster an outdoor recreation community among Panamanians.

Recently, Adrian worked for the Panamanian Tourism Authority developing the “1000 km of Trails” project focused on building or rehabbing 1000 km of land based and aquatic trails across the country. The project’s objectives include improving rural livelihoods, fostering the growth of a national outdoor recreation culture, and contributing to establish Panama as a destination for sustainable Adventure Tourism.

President

Born in Santiago de Veraguas, Panama, Jacinto Rodríguez Murillo is an Agricultural Engineer graduate from the University of Panama, with MSc studies in Marine and Coastal Resource Management from the International Maritime University of Panama. Currently, he serves as the president of the Water and Land Foundation and coordinator of the sea turtle project FUNDAT-ECOTORTU. He is also a community leader in the Eco-Ruta Tortuga tourism circuit, a destination recognized with national and international awards.

Jacinto is a Specialized Guide in Protected Areas certified by ATP and a member of various organizations, including the Municipal Planning Board of the Mariato District and the Veraguas Tourist Guides Association (AGUITURVE OBC). He is part of important networks such as PANATORTUGAS, ALTUS, and SOSTUR. Jacinto was a panelist at the World Travel Market Latin America 2024, held in São Paulo, Brazil.

Director

Thomas Patton is an economist turned land manager, holistic grazer, and soil regenerator. His hobbies, which include fitness and nutrition, helped him identify a local deficit of good, clean food, leading him to overturn 100 years of agricultural practices to produce the food he felt he needed to eat himself. He and his team have been complementing their multispecies organic farm with educational tourism and raising awareness about the many malpractices their generation needs to change. Thomas is currently a student of soil health, watershed management, and the rhythms of the tropical wetland ecosystem.