Despite not reaching the set target of 2.9 million visitors, the number of arrivals last year registered an increase of 265,892 compared to 2023, when the country recorded 2,509,513 visitors, mainly from South America.

Of the total number of travelers, 2,1 million were tourists, an increase of 12 per cent over the previous year.

Yovana Segarra, president of the Panamanian Hotel Association (Apatel), said the figures were positive and reflected the work of the International Promotion Fund (Promtur) and the Panama Tourism Board (ATP).

However, she said, the increase in the number of visitors is not reflected in hotel occupancy, which is estimated at 51 per cent last year.

According to the Comptroller General of the Republic, tourist spending reached six billion dollars last year, which is 548 million dollars more than the foreign exchange generated by tourism in 2023.

Commenting on the prospects for the sector, Salomón Shamah, general director of Promtur, reported that they continue to attract events and congresses to boost arrivals.

He said that to date they have already confirmed 70 events for 2025 and 2026, 20 of which have been achieved with the benefit of free use of the Convention Centre for the organisation of these forums. mh/ocs/ga