Between the first quarter of 2017 and the same period in 2018, the number of visitors that arrived in the country registered a slight decrease of 1.4%, but the overall expenditure made by them increased by 2.7%.
According to sector's figures, between the first quarter of 2017 and the same period of this year the number of tourists fell from 734,000 to 723,000, and the currencies received registered a slight increase, going from $302 million to $310 million.
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.
Colombians, Venezuelans and Brazilians make up the majority of tourists coming from South America, while there has been a rebound in the arrival of Ecuadorians and Paraguayans.
Efforts to promote tourism made by Panama and the improved economic performance of the countries in South America account for most of the visitors arriving in the country from that region.
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.
The proceeds will pay for the costs of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Panama, an office dedicated to promoting the country as a venue for conferences and conventions.
The Tourism Authority of Panama could increase between 0.5% and 1% the lodging tax which is currently 10%.
Prensa.com reports that "the measure will be implemented in the next few months and comes from a consultation hired by the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) to transform into a public-private entity the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Panama, which will be funded with the new charge to be paid by tourists. "