Panama stands on the brink of a historic achievement, poised to welcome an estimated 2.9 million international guests by year’s end.
This forecast shatters previous records, marking a pivotal moment for the nation’s travel industry.
Fernando Fondevila, the driving force behind the Panama Tourism Promotion Fund (Promtur), shared these expectations.
His announcements came during an event at the prestigious Panama Convention Center, renowned for its Pacific vistas and strategic location.
Fondevila’s briefing underlined 2024 as a breakthrough year. It follows the success of ongoing promotional strategies, which in the past year alone attracted nearly 2.5 million visitors.
The organization commits over $20 million annually to ensure global awareness and appeal.
Visitors include both overnight tourists and day travelers, arriving either by air through Tocumen International Airport or by sea, making brief stops from cruises.
This year, tourism is on track to boost the economy by $1.804 billion, an increase from $1.697 billion in 2023.
Such growth nearly reaches the previously set goal, illustrating the fruitful outcomes of well-executed marketing plans.
Fondevila credited various international appearances and the increasing allure of leisure and cruise tourism for this surge.
Notably, the recent launch of the Amador Cruise Terminal, coupled with the Colón 2000 port, anticipates drawing half a million visitors alone.
Panama targets key markets across the Americas and Europe, including the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Colombia, Spain, France, Germany, Argentina, and Brazil.
This approach aligns with a master plan to establish Panama as a top global travel destination.
The strategy not only showcases Panama’s commitment to expanding its tourism sector but also emphasizes the country’s potential as a vibrant, welcoming destination for international travelers.