Through an agreement with the Spanish wholesaler Aquatravel, for a period of twelve months a weekly charter flight with 300 passengers will be coming to Tocumen from Madrid.
The agreement between the Spanish tourism company and Adventure Tourism 2000 also states that "... at least half the passengers coming in the charter will stay in Panama, taking into account that a percentage will use the air link to connect from Panama to other destinations in the region.
The number of passengers who arrived in the country on cruise ships between January and November 2014 decreased by 16% compared to the same period last year.
From January to the end of November 2014 a total of 191,345 passengers arrived aboard cruise ships, ie 36,986 fewer passengers than the number reported during the same period in 2013. Over the past five years, 2011 saw the highest number of tourists reported by this means of transport, while 2012 had the he lowest number.
Up to November last year, 301,149 tourists arrived on cruise ships at Panamanian ports, 9.2 % more than in the same month in 2012.
Statistics from the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) reveal that between January and November 2013, 301,149 tourists arrived in the country on cruises, 25,470 visitors more than in the same period in 2012, an increase of 9.2%. This sector contributed $45 million to the national economy in that period.
Demand for places on cruises leaving from Home Port Colon 2000 in Panama remains high, with Royal Caribbean and Pullmantur recording 100% occupancy rates on its ships in recent months.
The Grandeur of the Seas, belonging to Royal Caribbean, and the Horizon, owned by Pullmantur Cruises are two ships that have had 100% occupancy throughout the season of the Home Port Colon 2000, reports Pananaamerica.com.pa.
The companies Aventura 2000 and Turista Internacional will start running charter flights to Panama from May 2012.
Providing daily flights, the companies will serve markets in Mexico, Central America, Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia.
The operation is supported by the Panamanian Tourism Authority (ATP) who are giving funding of $2.5 million for the project, of which $ 250 thousand will be used for marketing plans and the rest will go towards buying seats that the companies are not able to sell, indicated Solomon Shamah, administrator of the ATP.