Special coverage presented by PASHA, APS, Pandeportes y Visit Panama 

Surprisingly, for her and for the entire surfing world, Gloria “Tuti” De León, the eternal organizer of surfing events in Panama, was chosen by the President of Panama as the highest authority in matters of Tourism.

What in other countries is called a Minister of Tourism, here it is the General Administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority.

Before, I worked behind the scenes, organizing everything to make sure things went well, running around, going back and forth, making sure every detail was right, in what is one of the most stressful jobs in the world of surfing.

In fact, in 2022 in Venao and in 2023 in Santa Catalina, Tuti was the organizer along with her husband, Patrick Castagnet.

“I’ve always worked with the government in one way or another when organizing events, believing in surfing as an economic engine that drives and positions a country. I worked very closely with the Panama Tourism Authority, and well, one day they came to my door, knocked, and I told them no. I was terrified; I felt I wouldn’t be able to do it… It was a political position, and I wasn’t a politician. Now, in these positions, you become a politician, but I was terrified, terrified of the exposure, of doing it well or badly,” she says in this interview with DUKE.

“But well, one has to make decisions and not just offer opinions from the sidelines. Working for the country is rewarding, working for José Raúl Mulino’s government is rewarding, I feel comfortable with what we are doing, I see positive results in the country in terms of tourism and now I say: 'Thank goodness I said yes' and I think we are reaching all our goals,” she added.

When asked about the other side of the coin, she said that public exposure is stressful, that the family is the one that ends up being most affected by the demands of the job, but that they organize themselves to be present.

Regarding his role in supporting surfing, he didn't give many specific details. But he did state: “Continuing to bring these kinds of events, finding allies, sponsors. This isn't just a government initiative; it requires the involvement of local and national governments, as well as private companies. Without that, there's no way to move this forward, so that whole mechanism is essential to making it happen.”

“As long as the opportunities exist, as long as there are events like these that position us as a country that can host sporting events, congresses, conventions, here we are, here we will receive you, we will listen and we will do everything possible to make it happen,” he added.

In the interview, he explains everything in detail.