To learn about the tourist destination and hold business negotiations with local businesses, on September 13, 10 tour operators from Beijing will be arriving in Panama.
The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) reported that "...this will be the first official contact with local tour operators, following authorization from the Chinese government to start commercial relations with 66 Panamanian A-type companies (tour operators) who met the requirements established after signing a Memorandum of Understanding between both nations to facilitate travel groups from China to Panama."
The average european tourist plans trips less than a year in advance and searches and books tour packages via the internet, without using intermediaries.
A study by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute to identify best prospectsfound that"... generally Europeans decide on their holiday destination less than a year in advance and in most cases organize their trips independently i.e., without using intermediaries. It was also found that the most used methods of finding information include recommendations from friends, search engines and online travel agencies and websites promoting the destinations.
The number of tourists who came into the country in the first half of 2016 increased by 1.2% compared to the same period in 2015.
It is hoped that this un-encouraging result will be reversed once the international marketing strategy starts, a project which was awarded to the American company VML Inc. and whosecontract was recently approved.
The Central Rail Summit 2015 will be held in El Salvador, from May 13th to 15th, where it is expected that 15 corporations from the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association will be involved.
The Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR) hopes to have the participation of 30 union members who will be publicizing various tour packages offered by shipping lines.
The government announced that it will construct the stations at 80 kilometer intervals along the Pan American Highway and they will feature restaurants, parking and small stores.
From a statement issued by the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP):
PANAMA September 25 (ATP) - The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) has developed a series of initiatives such as tourist resorts along the Pan American Highway, informed the Administrator of the institution, Jesus Sierra Victoria during the XIV International Tourism Forum PANAMCHAM, which took place at the Sheraton hotel.
In the first half of the year $218 million came into the country, 10.3% more than the $197.5 million generated in the same period in 2013.
Details from the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur) show that "... Between January and June Nicaragua received 650,008 foreign visitors, representing a growth of 7.1% compared to the same period in 2013, when the country received 607.155 tourists. "
From 10 to 16 October there will be a meeting of wholesalers and tour operators to promote the country's tourist destinations.
The event will be held at the Hotel Barceló Guatemala City. So far 1,600 appointments have been arranged , and projections are that deals will be closed worth $4 million, according to the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT).
Go Blue Central America is an interactive map to share with the rest of the world the uniquiness and authenticity of the marine and coastal areas of Central America.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and National Geographic (NatGeo) presented "Go Blue Central America", an interactive map on the internet designed to promote tourism in the Isthmus.
Tourists who arrived in the country in 2011 provided $615 million in revenue, 18.7% more than in 2010.
In terms of quantity, 2011 closed with 1,634,679 visitors, 62%, from Central America, 30% of the U.S., 4% from South America, and 4% from Europe.
"'Foreign exchange earnings from tourism have a real impact for the Salvadoran economy, as this represents a contribution of 2.9% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)', said the head of tourism, Jose Napoleon Duarte .
During 2010, tourism revenues were $7,341 million, of which $2552 were generated in Panama, $1961in Costa Rica, $1378 in Guatemala, $650 in Honduras , $518 in El Salvador, and $281 in Nicaragua, .
According to a preliminary report by the Central American Tourism Integration Secretariat (SITC in Spanish), tourism revenues in the region grew by 0.9% compared to 2009 and the number of visitors increased by 3.8%.