To learn about the tourist destination and hold business negotiations with local businesses, on September 13, 10 tour operators from Beijing will be arriving in Panama.
The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) reported that "...this will be the first official contact with local tour operators, following authorization from the Chinese government to start commercial relations with 66 Panamanian A-type companies (tour operators) who met the requirements established after signing a Memorandum of Understanding between both nations to facilitate travel groups from China to Panama."
After the year 2017 provided the sector with income of $840 million, 31% more than in 2016, the union has carried out a new review and plans to generate up to $900 million this year.
In Panama companies dedicated to the activity are complaining about the absence of a state policy or strategy to help promote the country as a destination for medical tourism at the international level.
Although Panama has all the necessary characteristics to make it a relevant market for medical tourism, a specific policy to promote the activity led by the Tourism Authority could encourage much more development of the activity in the country."...'The only disadvantage Panama has as a destination for medical tourism is that this sector has not been recognized by the state as a tourist product or a real feature of its organizational infrastructure,' said Luis Santamaría, general director of Panasalud S.A., to Prensa.com."
Private companies and the municipality of Panama City are developing a plan to offer tourist activities in the capital to passengers who are in transit through Tocumen airport.
While tourism and hotel operators are still looking for alternatives to improve the sector's sluggish figures, the municipality of Panama intends to develop a plan that encourages passengerswho are waiting for connections at Tocumen airport to go out and visit some tourist attractions in the city. Routes related to religious tourism, others focused on the history of Panamanian athletes who are famous worldwide and thematic shows that show how life was during different periods of Panamanian history, are some of the ideas that have been suggested so far.
A decline of 4.6% in the flow of visitors has been attributed by tour operators to the fact that in recent years the country did not have sufficient international promotion.
An article on Prensa.com reports that "according to the National Migration Service and the Comptroller General's records, 2,432,641 visitors were registered last year, down 4.6% compared to 2015."
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.
Companies in the sector expect to generate $660 million in revenue this year, mainly driven by an increase in tourist spending.
In addition to an increase in the number of visitors to the country, companies in the sector also expect a rise in the average daily expenditure of tourists, which at the close of the third quarter registered anincrease of 8.5% compared to the previous quarter.
Arguing that they would "give muscle" to the state in managing the sector, a proposal has been made to add a Ministry of Tourism to the current Costa Rican Tourism Institute, a move which has been firmly opposed by employers.
The private sector is concerned that the proposed bill to create a Ministry of Tourism to operate alongside the current Institute of Tourism, will mean that State funds that are used to promote the country as a tourist destination will be diverted.
It has been announced that the Canadian airline Air Transat made 28 flights from Montreal and Toronto between December 2016 and March 2017.
The Nicaraguan Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) told Elnuevodiario.com.ni that"... flights will start arriving from 19 December and will continue until March 2017. Tourists will mainly vacation in a beach hotel on the Nicaraguan Pacific."
A $20 million contract has finally been approved for the company VML Inc. to develop a marketing and communication strategy to promote the country internationally.
The implementation of the international tourism promotion campaign will take place between 2016 and 2018, and will consist of a comprehensive promotion strategy, both online and using traditional advertising, public relations and trade marketing (activations) to promote Panama internationally.
Lack of control of unofficial businesses that are setting up on the coasts is preventing further development in areas with high tourism potential such as San Juan del Sur.
The business community argues that the Law for the Development of Coastal and Environmental Conservation is not being complied with, as unofficial businesses such as restaurants and hotels are being allowed to set upon the coasts.
The union of private companies is preparing a plan for promoting tourism development in San Juan del Sur and Tola, where more than $130 million has already been invested.
The area of San Juan del Sur and Tola, Rivas, has all the characteristics needed to become a tourist destination, but basic infrastructure in the area needs to be improved along with conditions to attract more foreign investment.
The adaptations for tourist use at the port of Puerto El Triunfo and construction of an ecotourism park are some of the projects which will be developed with IDB funds.
The Ministry of Tourism in El Salvador has signed an agreement with the Inter - American Development Bank to allocate part of the $25 million loan formalized in 2015 to improving tourism infrastructure in the municipalities of Usulutan, Puerto El Triunfo, Berlin, Alegria, Jiquilisco and San Dionisio.