Fairs are back – for the vaccinated

The reactivation of Panama fairs during the dry season is expected to pour millions of dollars into local economies starved of visitors by the pandemic for more than a year but complete vaccination will be mandatory for visitors and staff.

One of the most anticipated is the International Flower and Coffee Fair in Boquete is scheduled to take place January 13-23.

Rodrigo Marciaq, president of the board of this fair told TVN-2.com that he sees the reactivation with a lot of positivity. “Our responsibility is to comply with each of the recommendations made by the authorities. We have authorization for a 100% capacity, we hope that everything goes well and we serve as an example for the activities that will follow ”, he said.

Before the health crisis, the fair was reporting an annual increase in visitors between 7% and 10%, and the 2020 version attracted close to 200,000 people.

“This fair is distinguished by its large outdoor exhibition, by its sidewalks and gardens, which are spaces that adapt very well to the new normal,” said Marciad, who reiterated that entering the fair implies the mandatory use of the mask and the complete anticovid vaccination schedule.

The event, which this year will feature 35 gardens, of the great floral variety grown in the region, in addition to the sale of the flowers and plants there will be handicrafts, preserves, typical foods, jewelry, and clothing.

David Fair
Estefany Santamaría, president of the San José de David International Fair, said that within the framework of the activity March 10 -20, the sixth version of Expo Cebú will take place during the last weekend of the fair.

In addition, there will be a free presentation of the merengue singer, Wilfrido Vargas, on March 19.

Santamaría said that annually the fair welcomes approximately 300,000 people.

Ramón Camejo, president of the Board of the Azuero Fair, announced that one of the requirements will be that both national and foreign exhibitors have the complete inoculation

scheme. He also said that the new normal would implement the digital sale of tickets for entry to the fair.

The fair April 21-May 1, will generate work for both Santeños and Herreranos. According to the event organizer Edwin Wol Chong, the fair

represents 50% of the business of entrepreneurs in the area.

These fairs, together with that of La Chorrera, to be held January 26-February 6, are projecting economic benefits in the order of $154,785.

After the announcement by the President, Laurentino Cortizo, about the restart of the fair activities for the year 2022, the Executive Secretariat of the Tourism Cabinet appointed in conjunction with an inter-institutional working table, for the evaluation and presentation of the recommendations for its reopening, complying with all sanitary protocols to guarantee the biosecurity of attendees and exhibitors.