According to the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), the IX World Congress and celebration of 50th anniversary of the World Missionary Movement's work, held at the Figali Convention Center, generated 20,000 room nights and provided $5 million.

Moreover, the Second Tourism Security Conference of the Americas, held in the Atlapa Convention Center generated 1,500 room nights and provided $250,000 in transportation, lodging and shopping. In addition, at the Trump building, the Preferred Hotel annual sales and marketing meeting 2013 was held, an activity which generated about 600 room nights.

The ATP is expecting the support and attraction of more such events in 2013 which will generate 120,000 room nights. A tourist at a convention spends about $270 in the country .

Source: Panamaamerica.com.pa

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In Panama the increase in room supply has caused a price war between hotels trying to attract travelers and increase the occupancy rate which on average is not more than 60%.

Hotel occupancy in the country has been declining since 2011, when it stood at 68.6% dropping to 59.3% within the sector this year, according to figures from the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP).

Request for Resumption of Marketing Convention in Panama

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Tourism companies propose to boost the capabilities of the Destination Marketing Organization bureau and turn it into a public-private entity separate from the ATP.

Tourism entrepreneurs are asking the new government to revive the campaign to promote the country as a destination for convention tourism and expedite the negotiation of agreements with foreign airlines in order to increase the flow of tourists and improve the hotel occupancy rate, which is currently 59%, due to an oversupply of rooms.

Improvement in Hotel Occupancy in Panama

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It is estimated that this year hotel occupancy in Panama will close the year above 60%, which is an improvement compared to 2012 when it stood at 58.8%.

According to the president of the Panamanian Association of Hotels (APATEL), Jesus Sierra, "the positive impact it will have on the sector is due to the fact that this year we carried out various events of international significance such as the Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, the Latin American Business Conference and Plenary Assembly of the Latin American Business Council and the International Congress of the Spanish Language ... ", reported Laestrella.com.pa.

Conventions Fuel Tourism in Panama

June 2013

On average, each person attending a convention injects $300 per day into the Panamanian economy, for accommodation, shopping, food and transport.

According to the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), since the beginning of last year up until now there have been approximately 200 conferences in the country. The conventions in 2012 alone generated for the country between $45 and $50 million in foreign exchange.