https://newsroompanama.com/2025/07/26/tourists-welcomed-at-tocumen-airport-with-panamanian-tradition-and-polleras/

Panama City:  A colorful and moving parade of women and girls dressed in various styles of pollera, the traditional Panamanian costume, surprised thousands of travelers this Friday at Terminals 1 and 2 of Tocumen International Airport. The event, the first of its kind at the airport, aimed to pay tribute to the national culture and offer a warm welcome to tourists arriving in the country.  Airport manager José Ruiz stressed the importance of this type of initiative to ensure that tourists visiting the airport get a positive impression of the country.

“What we want is for people to start seeing what Panama has to offer. This is something typical of us, something that defines us as Panamanians. Today, tourists can see this and take away an authentic image of our country,” he said.

The airport staff, wearing skirts representing different regions of the country, proudly displayed the colors, fabrics, and techniques that make this garment unique, considered one of the most beautiful in the world. The parade was also accompanied by folklore groups such as the Coclesito traditional ensemble and “Amor por la Pollera,” along with musicians who performed traditional pieces on native instruments such as the drum and snare drum.

“We come from a country with immense cultural diversity. When it comes to clothing, we have 104 registered garments. Today we’re walking from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 to showcase the identity we carry as Panamanians,” emphasized Eduardo Cano, a national clothing researcher.

Tourists who witnessed the parade described the experience as “unique” and “exciting,” allowing them to connect with the country’s cultural essence upon arrival.  On the other hand, Ruiz announced that Tocumen is preparing for an upcoming expansion. “We are looking at how to expand and create new gates. We plan to open a bidding process next year, because with the natural growth of the airport and the expansion of the Copa Airlines fleet over the next two years, we won’t have enough gates. The plan is to build around 10 more,” he revealed.

This parade marks the beginning of a series of ongoing cultural activities within the so-called Gateway to the Americas, with the goal of ensuring that each visitor takes a piece of Panama with them from their first contact.