Panama will have a new tool for promoting community tourism and decentralizing economic opportunities into the country.
Act 541 lays down the National Programme for Tourist and Diplomatic Development “Paradise of the Istmo,” through which Panamanian communities can be certified as tourist destinations for their historic, cultural, environmental, social and gastronomic value.
The law that was adopted and published in Official Gazette 30562 of 7 July 2026, proposed by the independent deputy Roberto Zuniga, lays down a public policy aimed at identifying, promoting and strengthening destinations with tourist potential, integrating the state, local governments, the private sector and organized communities.
He explained that the aim was that these territories should be promoted as tourist attractions and have development plans, training, basic infrastructure, property conservation and monitoring mechanisms.
Although the law does not create tax exemptions or direct tax incentives, it does provide institutional and financial support for certified communities.
The resources can be dedicated to tourism infrastructure projects, signalling, urban embellishment, information centres, heritage restoration, training of service providers, promotion of destination and improvements to basic services that impact the visitor’s experience.
To obtain certification as “Paradise of the Isthmus,” communities will have to have to have an inventory of tourist, cultural or natural attractions, propose a local tourism development plan, atcredit for heritage conservation measures, incorporate accessibility criteria for persons with disabilities and delimit the tourist range.
The certification shall have an initial term of five years, renewable for equal periods.
Zuniga emphasized that the law represents an opportunity to turn the tourism potential of communities into employment, entrepreneurship and local development. “Panama has communities with an extraordinary natural, historic and cultural wealth. With this law we seek to turn that potential into real opportunities for its inhabitants, promoting responsible tourism, local entrepreneurship and the conservation of our heritage,” said the Member.
