CCIAP, optimistic for the results in tourism promotion

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) believes that tourism in the country has turned from an unattainable potential into a shining reality.

For the business association, the efforts that lead Panama Tourism Promotion Fund (PROMTUR Panama) and Panama Tourism Authority (ATP)the international tourism promotion of our country produced an estimated economic effect of 902 million dollars from January to June 2023.

The CCIAP explains that these results show a significant increase in trips from priority markets and a significant increase in the length of stay of tourists in Panama.

This flow is encouraged in 9 priority markets of issuance (United States, Colombia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Argentina, Spain, France and Germany)which achieved the largest number of tourist arrivals by air, a 58.7%compared with 41.3% from other markets.

They also point out that another important indicator of tourist activity is the stay of tourists from priority markets, which increased from 8 to 10.9 days, as well as the optimistic figures of business tourism.

“Besides these very good results, what we see today are the fruits of management continuity, better coordination Government-private sector, and the professionalization of our tourism promotion at the international level. In addition, an agreed strategy to strengthen a unique international tourism brand that is consistently promoted at the local level,” the union said.

They believe that it is important to understand that the way forward is a continuation of what has been invested and to never go back to the inexplicable decisions that at that time reduced the funds for the tourism promotion of Panama.

In a broader context, these results in tourism also indicate that when institutions are respected and public governance is depoliticized, the results are good for everyone.