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.
From May 26 to 27, 170 wholesalers from Europe, and North and South America will be meeting with Central American tourism companies to explore business opportunities.
From a statement issued by the Tourism Authority:
The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) and the Chamber of Tourism of Panama (CAMTUR) announced this Thursday that as part of the celebration of Expocomer, the Eighth Edition of International Tourism Expo-2017 will be held from May 26 to 27.
On June 21 and 22 local and foreign tourist companies will be meeting to discuss issues such as using technology as a tool for promotion and hearing about successful experiences from other countries.
From a statement issued by the Tourism Authority of Panama:
The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) and the Panamanian Chamber of Tourism (CAMTUR) will be holding from June 21 to 22 the first National Tourism Convention "Juntos por Panama" (CONATUR), to establish a strategy with all stakeholders in the sector, which will strengthen the country's tourism supply.
When it comes to making a choice, there is a clear preference by travelers for "green" hotels and tourism products, confirming that the sustainability of the tourism business only makes sense when the sustainability of the area is guaranteed.
In her blog in Elfinancierocr.com, Katiana Murillo highlights the growing preference of tourists worldwide for hotels which have environmentally friendly practices, even if it means paying higher rates.
During the International Tourism Expo 2014 held in Panama, 3,276 business contacts were made between international wholesaler buyers and tourism businesses in the region.
From a statement by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP):
The Organizing Committee for International Tourism Expo 2014, announced that the fifth edition of the most important trade fair for tourism in Panama surpassed all expectations of buyers, wholesalers and exhibitors from Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.
As the nation with the greatest potential visitors, the U.S. has chosen Costa Rica as the site of an Advisory Council to promote the northern country as a tourist destination throughout Central America.
After receiving complaints about the amount of paperwork that has to be filled out and visa requirements needed in order to visit the country for tourism as well as the slow speed of processing, the government has decided to implement the Brand USA Act, to streamline procedures and facilitate the promotion of the country as a tourist destination.
The trend of renting out non-hotel accommodation for a few days is global, and it will grow even more in the next 5 years, so regulating it will be a better solution than banning it.
In Central America Panama is the country where the phenomenon of Holiday Rentals shows the highest growth, despite a law prohibiting it. According to an article in Prensa.com, the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) "...
A promotion exercise is being carried out of the "Best Service" certification in the region in order to improve service and positioning of SMEs in tourism.
In order to improve the service and prestige of small and medium tourism enterprises in the region, the Federation of Tourism Chambers of Central America (FEDECATUR) is promoting the "Best Service" certification.
What is needed is simple and effective governments that put an end to the bureaucracy that limits the integration of tourism in the region.
So says Epaminondas Marinakys, president of the Federation of Tourism Chambers of Central America (FEDECATUR). The official believes that the governments of the region must adjust their border rules in order to expedite the passage of tourists from one place to another.
Mexico, Spain and Poland are looking to position themselves as medical tourism destinations competing with the traditional ones such as India, Thailand, Brazil and Turkey.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Besides traditional competitors such as India, Thailand, Brazil and Turkey, new international players such as Mexico, Spain and Poland are now seeking to position themselves as medical tourism destinations. On the one hand is Poland, which through a government program is trying to promote itself as a good country in which to find health treatment, rehabilitation, diagnosis and aesthetics services and, through its participation in three consecutive fairs (Miami 2012, Moscow and Monaco in March 2013), has managed to be taken into account by the experts as a new player in this market.
The momentum in this sector needs more services and port infrastructure in order to consolidate and join the global growth of this industry.
The region needs to improve port infrastructure in order to be able to receive the new boats which are becoming bigger and bigger and with this take advantage of the 20% growth that is projected in the next season.
In Colombia $642 million will be invested in building more than 200 spas and wellness centers, the crux of a 20-year plan.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Colombia launched on April 23 a business plan with the objective of making the country a favorite destination for wellness tourism.
The 2013 edition of Expotur is to receive 180 representatives from international companies at the Hotel Wyndham San Jose Herradura on the 9th and 10th of May.
A statement from the Costa Rican Association of Tourism Professionals (ACOPROT) reads:
Country's Main Tourism Exchange Market Prepares its XXIX Edition
- From 9th to 11th the 29th edition of Expotur will be held at the Convention Center at the Hotel Wyndham San Jose Herradura.
The fourth edition of the event organized by the Chamber of Tourism of Panama will be held on 20 and 21 September 2013, at the ATLAPA Convention Center .
A statement from the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) reads:
The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama in conjunction with the Chamber of Tourism of Panama, will present the fourth version of INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EXPO 2013