Panamá para el mundo: Cómo el turismo redefine su espacio urbano

Abstract

This essay analyzes how tourism has transformed the urban space of Panama City, becoming one of the main drivers of modernization, heritage recovery, and international positioning of the Panamanian capital. Using a qualitative methodology based on documentary review, interpretative analysis, and observation of emblematic urban spaces, the study examines different dimensions of tourism’s impact on the city. Firstly, the paper explores the recovery of Casco Viejo after its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting both the benefits related to architectural restoration and economic revitalization, as well as the social tensions caused by gentrification processes and the displacement of traditional communities. Likewise, it analyzes the modernization of urban spaces such as the Cinta Costera and the real estate development linked to Panama’s tourism and financial growth. The essay also addresses the strategic role of the Panama Canal and international air connectivity as tourism assets that strengthen the country’s global competitiveness. In addition, it examines the construction of Panama’s international image through city branding strategies, along with tourism’s impact on employment and the local economy. Finally, the study reflects on the urban, social, and environmental sustainability challenges associated with tourism growth, emphasizing the need for public policies aimed at balancing economic development with heritage preservation, social inclusion, and the well-being of local communities. The essay concludes that tourism has profoundly redefined Panama’s urban space, representing both a development opportunity and a complex phenomenon that requires comprehensive and sustainable management.