The increase in tourists, in turn, meant an increase in foreign currency earnings of 15.9% compared to January 2008, according to the Tourism Authority of Panama.

Nacion.com published: "Reuben Blades, Minister of Tourism, reminded everyone that the traditional visitor coming to Panama is from the United States and Canada just like its neighbors Costa Rica and Colombia. Now the country wants to focus its efforts on attracting European tourists 'because of the Euro' and because 'they stay for a longer period of time (between 15 and 28 days),' according to Blades."

Source: Nacion.com

More on this topic

Nicaragua Tourism Up 9%

June 2013

During the first five months of 2013, 526,443 tourists entered the country while during the same period in 2012 the figure was 483,105

Mayra Salinas, chief executive of the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur), said that of those 526,443 visitors, 503,077 were tourists and 23,366 were cruisers and day trippers.

Guatemala: Tourism Revenue Up 8.3%

May 2013

During the first quarter of 2013, tourist arrivals grew by 7.7% compared with the same period last year.

Data from the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT) shows that from January to March 2013 there were 524,430 tourist visits, while in the same period in 2012 486,740 travelers entered the country.

Boom in Day Visitors to Panama City

December 2012

In 2012, the number of passengers in transit through Tocumen airport who took time out during their connections to visit the city, increased by 48% compared to the previous year.

Between January and October 2012, the total number of day visitors amounted to 119,054.

Generally tourists arrive with an tour already in mind which includes taking in the shopping centers, according to information from tour operators.

Visitors to Panama Keep Increasing

October 2012

In the first nine months of the year the number of tourists coming to the country increased by 6.9% compared to the same period in 2011.

Between January and September 530,574 tourists arrived, 98,907 more than in the same period in 2011.

"Foreign exchange earnings amounted to 1.6731 billion, an increase of 19.5%, or approximately an additional $273 million compared to the previous period.