This particular sector of the hospitality market is growing in Panama, often led by Venezuelans, who migrate with the small amount of capital investment required to cover the start up these businesses, which is usually not more than $500,000.

An article by Yesenia Gordon Quezada in Capital.com.pa, quotes an owner of one of these small hotels: "Some 26% of stays are by important business executives, government officials, entrepreneurs, so a lot of people in work functions, and the rest are customers mainly from Europe, who are accustomed to this kind of care and choose inns like this in order to save money."

He adds: "These are people with enough financial capacity to pay for $180 hotels, but they are looking for comfort and to be well cared for. Personalized attention is very important in this business."

Source: Capital.com.pa

More on this topic

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March 2015

Seven new establishments with high quality personalized service will add 291 rooms to the hotel inventory with its opening in tourist areas and in the capital.

There are currently 45 boutique hotels and the arrival of another seven is expected soon, some of which are already under construction and others are awaiting the appropriate permissions to operate.

Costa Rica: Fall in Occupancy Rates in Hotels in Capital

March 2014

The current occupancy rate of 57% can be explained by the increased supply of rooms and the relative decline of San Jose as a business destination.

The increased supply of hotel rooms in the capital is one of the reasons for the low level of occupancy, which as of January stood at 57%. This occurs mainly in hotels that attract business travelers or tourists who spend up to two nights prior to departure.

Increase in Boutique Hotels in Panama

July 2013

The number of boutique hotels is growing, mainly in the central provinces, driven by the construction of the new airport in Rio Hato.

Included in this category are those establishments characterized for their luxury, and personal attention to customers and which have no more than twenty rooms.

Honduras: New drive for Tela Bay Project

July 2011

The U.S. chain Hospitality Trust has announced an agreement to operate a boutique hotel to be built in Los Micos Beach & Golf Resort.

The largest Honduran public-private tourist investment project, under development in Tela Bay, will feature a luxury 120 room boutique hotel and will be operated by one of the most experienced hotel chains in the United States.