Panama is experiencing a steady revival of the tourism sector, said Denise Guillén, ATP General Administrator.
At a presentation in Panama City, Guillén noted the sector’s resilience post-COVID-19 pandemic contraction.
In the latest news from Panama, Promtur data shows that international marketing and Promtur actions generated an estimated US$902 million from January to June, exceeding the target by 17%.
Fernando Fondevila, Promtur Panama CEO, highlighted the expectation to generate $1.8 billion by year’s end.
He mentioned that priority markets (US, Colombia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Argentina, Spain, France, Germany) accounted for 58.7% of air-arriving tourists in 2023’s first half, versus 41.3% from other markets.
Tourism is crucial for Panama’s economy, attracting millions of visitors annually before the pandemic.
COVID-19 severely impacted global travel, causing a significant drop in international tourists and economic losses for Panama.
Panamanian authorities implemented strict measures and vaccination campaigns to control the virus spread and ensure safety.
As the situation improved, Panama actively promoted itself as a safe destination to encourage international tourism.
Positive trends in the first half of 2023 indicate that these efforts yield results, helping the economy recover.
Tourism creates many jobs in Panama, supporting local economies and communities.
Panama’s diverse natural attractions draw eco-tourists, highlighting the importance of sustainable tourism.
The government actively invests in tourism infrastructure, underlining its significance for the country’s development.
Cultural exchange resulting from tourism promotes international goodwill, demonstrating its broader importance beyond economic gains.