As the tourism and hotel industry in Panama continues its downward trend the  Tourism Authority (ATP) has given the go-ahead to a US company to administer and promote the new Amador Convention Center which after multiple delays through two administrations is expected to be operational from the first quarter of next year.

 The contract with US-based  SMG is for six years at a cost of $1.9 million and, says, ATP administrator, Ivan Eskildsen will benefit the tourism industry, especially in the capital city, where the bulk of the hotel and tourism segment of the country is concentrated.

Hotel occupancy in the capital city is 42% and tourist entry slumped more than 2% in the first half of the year, according to official data.

"The Amador Convention Center, with a capacity for 20,000 t people, will not only be a window for events and business, it will also be used for travel and pleasure tourism," said Michael Godoy, vice president of SMG.

The company manages over  300 venues in the world, between convention centers and theaters.

Godoy estimates that during the first operational year at least 100 events will be held, at the Amador center, mostly local.