A festive winter wonderland ended in disappointment when visitors found it barely resembled the AI-generated promotion.
The sleek promotional video for the “Snowland Panamá” experience went viral over the holiday period.
It showed a snow centre with people skiing, sledging and wandering through a festive winter market.
- Advertisement -
Visitors were seen smiling and taking selfies in front of a huge, beautifully-decorated tree.
Tickets for the event in Panama City – which promised snow tubing, ice skating, skiing and other activities – ranged from $18 (£13) to $75 (£56).
But after its opening on 23 December, social media was flooded with videos from paying customers showing the reality.
Clips revealed a dingy warehouse with plastic chairs, walls haphazardly draped with fabric and barely any decorations.
The promised artificial snow was actually frothy soap, as reported by What’s The Jam.
- Advertisement -
Many called the event a “scam”, while others compared it to the infamous “Willy’s Chocolate Experience” debacle in Glasgow in February 2024.
One observer wrote online: “It’s basically the ‘Willy’s Chocolate Experience’, Panama edition, but way more fake.”
Someone else added: “It’s Willy Wonka 2.0.”
- Advertisement -
Following a deluge of complaints, Acodeco – Panama’s consumer protection authority – launched an investigation.
Staff inspected the venue on 24 December, stating: “We identified a number of issues that will need to be explained by the event’s organisers in due course.”
According to Acodeco, the event’s advertising breached Panama’s consumer protection laws.
Saúl Jaramillo, director of consumer protection, said: “Any advertising that does not reflect the reality of the product being offered may be sanctioned, regardless of the technology used to promote it.”
The event, originally scheduled to run until 7 January, has now been cancelled.
Organisers said: “Our goal was always to provide a real, well-executed experience that lived up to what was advertised.
“The ice-skating rink could not be operational on the opening date due to delays beyond our control, and the supplier is processing a refund.
“Similarly, the cold room with crushed ice had been completed but was not ready in time for the opening, which affected the full experience we wanted to offer.
“We are now organising and finalising the refund process, which will be handled in an orderly, responsible, and transparent manner.”
READ MORE: Rare barely used 30-year-old Ferrari on sale for whopping £6.5m
