Under the sustainable model titled 'The New Chapter of Living History,' the project seeks to transform visits to the historic churches of the Old Town into an organized, modern, and long-term cultural and tourist experience.Ricardo Gago Salinero, president of IglesiasdelCasco Antiguo (ICA), highlighted that the project is a successful alliance 'between the Church, the private sector, and the community, which has demonstrated that when teamwork is applied, faith can be transformed into development, and heritage into an opportunity.'Heritage Management and RestorationInitiated 13 years ago, the ICA project is a sustained evolution of a fundraising and management process that made it possible to restore emblematic churches.The effort is now evolving towards comprehensive management aimed at preserving what has already been restored, organizing visitor access, and optimizing the experience for locals and tourists.María Isabel Arrocha, director of the Old Town Churches Public Project (ICA), mentioned that with this new phase, the goal is to make ICA one of the most visited and recognized tourist attractions in Panama, strengthening its role as a national benchmark for cultural, spiritual, and heritage tourism.Tourism ConsolidationThe Old Town Churches are consolidating as one of the country's most visited cultural and religious circuits, registering 1.18 million visits in 2024 and surpassing 1.08 million so far in 2025.This influx includes visitors from more than 90 countries, with the United States in the lead, positioning ICA as an international tourist attraction.An Integrated Cultural and Tourist OfferingThe initiative integrates six churches with heritage and spiritual value: the Basilica Cathedral Santa María la Antigua, the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, the Church of San José, the Church of San Francisco de Asís, the Oratory of San Felipe Neri, and the Church of Santo Domingo.The value proposition extends beyond the temples and includes:• The Museum of the Merced Order.• The Museum of Modern Art.• The San Francisco de Asís viewpoint, which offers a 360° view of the city and the Old Town.• Inclusive heritage and sensory tours, guided tours, educational programs, and permanent cultural activities that connect visitors with over 350 years of history and faith.Tariff Model for Sustainable PreservationAs part of this new phase, ICA is implementing a ticket entry model with a symbolic value, whose objective is to cover the specialized conservation work required by these buildings over three centuries old.It is fundamental to highlight that liturgical celebrations and access to the temples for prayer will remain completely free.Strategic Alliances and DigitalizationThe initiative incorporates a system of allies that integrates tour operators, travel agencies, and professional guides through a commission scheme for each managed reservation.Liz Marie Pareja, general manager of Visa Panama, mentioned that the alliance will contribute to the digitalization of cultural and sustainable tourism in Panama.To join, professionals and companies must register on the GOTUURI platform and complete the corresponding form.Jaime Fondevila, CEO of Gotuuri, pointed out that the platform aims to give international visibility to the heritage, allowing visitors to discover, choose, and book all ICA experiences in one place, making the visit planning 'simple and transparent.'The project has the backing of strategic allies such as GOTUURI, Copa Airlines, Visa, the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), and PROMTUR Panama.Robert Carey, Executive Vice President of Copa Airlines, indicated that boosting the project through the Stopover in Panama program is a natural step in the airline's commitment to showcasing the wonders the country offers.As part of the transformation, three Visitor Centers have been enabled in La Merced, the Cathedral, and San Francisco, which will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., offering guidance and ticket sales with digital support.These costs go beyond daily maintenance, including preventive, corrective, and structural restoration interventions necessary to protect historic temples of over three centuries and ensure their long-term preservation.• General Tariff: B/.2.00 per person per church.• Special Experiences: Will range between B/.5.00 and B/.35.00, depending on the modality.The scheme contemplates differentiated prices for adults, children, students, and retirees, in order to guarantee an inclusive and equitable access to the heritage.Among these, La Merced, San José, San Francisco de Asís, and the Basilica Cathedral Santa María la Antigua stand out, several of which had remained closed due to severe structural and artistic deterioration.
