During the first half of this year, this segment of the tourism industry recorded a 60.32% occupancy, while for the same period last year the figure stayed at 67.4%.

The hotels of the so-called "1" group, or grand tourism, had a 63.5% reduction in their reception of travelers, while lodging in group two, or middle category, dropped by 53.8% during the first six months of the year.

Salomón Shamah, administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority, pointed out that the decline is not due to fewer travelers reaching the Isthmus, but because of the massive openings of hotels.

He added that they are currently discussing with airlines how to bring more tourists to the Isthmus and are negotiating starting a seventh flight to the country on the Spanish airline Iberia.