The first month of the year is already providing official figures regarding the generated income from the tourism sector.

 

According to a report published by the General Controllership of the Republic, 68.5% of all available hotel rooms in the country were occupied during January of this year.

 

This figure is the highest of the last four years, taking January as the comparison point, with data from 2007 to date.

 

In addition, the official report indicates that during the first 31 days of this year, 143 thousand tourists arrived to the country, which represents an increase of 13.8% if compared to the same period of the previous year.

 

These visitors spent an approximate amount of 160.2 million dollars in total, 4% higher than the amount spent in 2010.

 

The increase in these figures is the result of a combination of factors.

 

“Firstly due by the tourism brought by conferences and conventions, which is starting to rise due to the promotion launched internationally offering Atlapa for free”, explains Sara Pardo, President of the Panamanian Hotel Association.

 

Another factor that might explain it would be the increase of passengers arriving to the country in order to board the cruises that set sail from Colon, as pointed out by the association representative.

 

Traditionally in Panama, the months with higher occupancy rate and the most profitable ones occur in the summer season which happens to be during the first months of the year.

 

Source: Prensa.com

Author: Angle Lopez Guia