Panama is an extremely popular destination with our audience. I just presented executives from Panama with their second consecutive Leisure Lifestyle Award for Best Leisure Destination in South/Central America, and our editorial team is busy covering beautiful hotels like Bristol Hotel Panama City and Hotel La Compañia.

Therefore, when Panama’s own COPA Airlines invited us to an event covering its inaugural, non-stop flight from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to Panama City, Panama, I was happy to attend.

The direct flight from Baltimore now takes place four times a week and is the 14th U.S. destination for COPA Airlines. Several dignitaries were on hand to welcome the airline, including Ambassador H.E. Ramon E. Martinez de la Guardia; Ricky Smith, executive director, BWI; and Dennis Cary, senior vice president and commercial officer, COPA Airlines.

But it was the warm welcome of the Panamanian people that garnered most of the attention that afternoon. The event featured several Panamanian dancers in costume; the women wore dresses featuring long, embroidered skirts called polleras and beautifully ornate headgear known as tembleques. The men were in more simple attire of long-sleeved white shirts; dark pants; and montunos, or straw hats with a unique brim.

Guests enjoyed the fancy footwork from the male dancers and graceful skirt-twirling performances from the female dancers. Everyone also remained available for photos before and after each performance. I couldn’t help but notice the warm smiles from each performer, radiating love for Panama and for the opportunity to present their traditional dance for those of us in attendance.

While the food, music and ribbon-cutting ceremony were all wonderful features of the afternoon, the arrival of the aircraft and water cannon salute was a highlight! The aircraft drove under two streams of water, celebrating and marking the special occasion, before turning toward the gate. As the plane drew closer, separate U.S. and Panamanian flags were flown outside the windows, symbolizing a new partnership between both countries involved in the route.

I was asked several times if I was taking the inaugural flight from Baltimore to Panama City, but, unfortunately, this trip was not in the cards. Many travel agents, press and special guests were scheduled to fly on COPA to Panama that afternoon, but my flight headed home to Florida instead.

Perhaps one day I will have the honor of flying COPA and enjoying the genuine hospitality which seemed so naturally prevalent at the event. And, if so, I look forward to sharing even more photos and updates of Panama with you.

— Carrie Cox, account executive