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.
With the arrival of new airlines a further increase is expected in the flow of tourists from Europe, after having grown by 41% between 2010 and 2015.
European tourists stay on average 17 days in the country and spend an average of $1660 during their stay, higher than the figures for the overall average, which are 13 days and $1351.
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.
Up to December 2015 2.559 hotels with 47,452 rooms were registered in the country, of which 70% are located in the city and at the beach.
Market figures have not yet reached the levels recorded before the crisis of 2008, when the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels counted 2,599 hotels in operation, spread across different areas of the country, but are instead concentrated in the large metropolitan area and coastal areas.
Panama received 2.5 million tourists in 2015 and double the amount of foreign income received by Costa Rica from the 2.6 million who visited that country in the same year.
The number of tourists who went to Panama in 2015 exceeded by 10.7% the amount recorded in 2014, according to the Tourism Authority of Panama. With the 2.5 million who came last year, the country is very close to matching the record of Costa Rica, which reached 2.6 million.
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute is inviting companies in the sector to participate in international events.
In a press release issued on a large scale on July 13, 2015 in a single printed media format, the Marketing Department at the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) called on companies to register their interested in participating in international fairs in the second half of 2015 and the first of 2016.
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.
The limited political strength of the current Minister of the department is preventing industry demands from being addressed and priority given to the sector in the government's strategy.
Representatives from the tourism industry argue that they have been given a back seat because they are not given the necessary priority in government policies. The sector is also complaining about lack of investment in tourism infrastructure, excessive paperwork and permits and the enforcement of laws discouraging economic activity in the sector.
The government has announced the opening of a consulate in Shanghai and other efforts to open others in cities where there is high purchasing power in an effort to attract people to the Costa Rican tourism sector.
From a statement issued by the Government of Costa Rica:
Tourism is one of the axes that form part of the strategic partnership relations between Costa Rica and China, with concrete actions leading to an increase in visits by tourists , the beginning of efforts to establish a direct flight and contact made by tour operators.
Businessmen are complaining that investments in international promotion amount to less than a third of what Panama spends, resulting in the country losing competitiveness as a destination in the region.
The 2015 budget for investment in official tourism promotion is $18 million, which industry representatives say is not enough if you expect tourism flows to keep up a good pace.
In the next National Congress on Tourism a proposal will be made to define a new vision based on real differentiation axles, chains of products, international positioning, environmental excellence, and human talent.
From a statement issued by the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR):
In the framework of the XVIII National Congress of Tourism it is expected that CANATUR will formulate a New Vision for Tourism in Costa Rica
Between October 2013 and September 2014 permits to build 53,827 square meters of hotels were processed, 21% more than in the same period in 2012-2013.
The county of Garabito in the province of Puntarenas, has performed best, as of the total amount of building permits requested for hotel projects in the country, this canton has an 18% share, with a total of 13,455 square meters processed.
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.