During the first five months of the year, 840,000 tourists visited the country, an increase of 89,000 over the same period in 2010.
Approximately 840,499 tourists arrived in Panama during the first five months of 2011. This is an increase of 89,091 visitors when compared with the same period in 2010.
Visitors are growing at a rate of 11%, the majority are arriving from; Canada and United States (30%); Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico (60%) and considerable increases from Argentina, Peru, Brazil and Ecuador. A smaller percentage are arriving from Asia and Europe (10%), explained Ernesto Orillac, Spokesman for the Panamanian Tourism Authority (ATP).
However, owners of small hotels and boarding houses have yet to be able to benefit from the growing tourism numbers because most of these visits are concentrated in the City of Panama itself due to a lack of promotion for other tourist destinations in the interior of the country, complained Armando Rodríguez, President of the Association of Panamanian Small Hotels (Hoppan).
“The occupation rates in smaller hotels sits around 40% at best, except during regional holidays or when special events take place,” said Rodriguez.
He noted that 90% of the outreach effort targets international promotions. Between 2010 and 2011 there has been an advertisement investment of $13.5 million.
Due to concern for small hotel operators in the interior of the Republic, Orillac suggested that Government campaigns will strive to encourage domestic tourism.
They have announced campaigns such as 'Get Away to the Valley', 'Bocas Combo' and 'Chiriqui has it All’ (this will not only include Boquete, but also David, Volcán, Boca Chica and Las Lajas).
Visitors are growing at a rate of 11%, the majority are arriving from; Canada and United States (30%); Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico (60%) and considerable increases from Argentina, Peru, Brazil and Ecuador. A smaller percentage are arriving from Asia and Europe (10%), explained Ernesto Orillac, Spokesman for the Panamanian Tourism Authority (ATP).
However, owners of small hotels and boarding houses have yet to be able to benefit from the growing tourism numbers because most of these visits are concentrated in the City of Panama itself due to a lack of promotion for other tourist destinations in the interior of the country, complained Armando Rodríguez, President of the Association of Panamanian Small Hotels (Hoppan).
“The occupation rates in smaller hotels sits around 40% at best, except during regional holidays or when special events take place,” said Rodriguez.
He noted that 90% of the outreach effort targets international promotions. Between 2010 and 2011 there has been an advertisement investment of $13.5 million.
Due to concern for small hotel operators in the interior of the Republic, Orillac suggested that Government campaigns will strive to encourage domestic tourism.
They have announced campaigns such as 'Get Away to the Valley', 'Bocas Combo' and 'Chiriqui has it All’ (this will not only include Boquete, but also David, Volcán, Boca Chica and Las Lajas).
According to the ATP, there were about 7,475 rooms registered in the Provinces during January in order to meet the expected demand
Fuente: El Siglo
