They say, that on the contrary, it is normal for hotels to advise tourists to leave their passports in their rooms in order to prevent robbery, and recommend that they carry a photocopy instead.

The article on AmericaEconomica.com indicates that, according to business owners from the sector, "these fines, which go up to 10 euros, are an abuse that inconveniences foreign tourists, many of whom will not want to return to Panama again."

"That the Immigration Department is fining tourist on the street is a mistake," said the president of the Panama Association of Tourism Operators, Ana Royo, at a press conference.

Source: americaeconomica.com

More on this topic

Less Paperwork for Panamanians to Enter U.S.

January 2014

The U.S. has chosen Panama to be part of the Global Entry agreement which allows expedited entry into the airport in that country.

Tocumen International Airport is considered one of the safest in the region, one of the reasons leading to Panama being one of the countries chosen to form part of the bilateral agreement for trusted travelers known as Global Entry.

Panama Tenders New Passport Production

June 2011

The new passport will have a smart chip and layers of security to prevent forgery.

The government announced that it is putting out to tender the production of the new Panamanian passports, which will happen following new and improved safety standards.

An article in Prensa.com notes, "The specifications of the tender to make the new passport have already been designed, Bernardez said, adding that in the coming days they will be uploaded to the PanamáCompra website. He added that the new document should be in circulation in 2012, but current passports and will still be valide and the population will be kept informed of how to change it. "

Panama: Tourists Must Carry Identification

March 2009

Immigration sources pointed out that in order to travel throughout the Panamanian territory a foreigner must carry documentation to prove that the stay is legal.

Rafael Perez wrote in Prensa.com : "This information comes as a result of criticism led by the Panamanian Association of Hoteliers, who have complained that immigration staff has detained tourists and fined them for not carrying a respective passport.

Panama promotes incentive tourism

June 2008

Panama is promoting itself as a destination for "incentive tourism" that companies offer to their executives, employees and clients.

The Panamanian Tourism Institute (Ipat) believes that Panama and its coasts have much to offer in terms of incentive tourism, a growing sector of the international tourism industry.