Panama tourism is on the rebound from the covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Figures from the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) indicate that between January and March of this year, the entry of 786,854 visitors was reported, a figure that represents an increase of 84% compared to the data for 2022, a difference of 360,110 additional people.

Much of the 84% increase in the flow of visitors reported in the first three months of the year was the product of a greater arrival of cruise passengers to the country with a total of 188,114 travelers.

The number of tourists, which are travelers who stay more than 24 hours in a destination, up to March 521,107 were counted, an increase of 57% compared to the movement of 2022. The number of travelers who enter the country, but stay less than 24 hours, closed the first quarter with an increase of 14%.

Ovidio Díaz, president of the National Chamber of Tourism of Panama (Camtur), described activity during the first quarter as "good", but warned that the difference will be "drastic" when the numbers for the second quarter are known. Historically, the high season for Panamanian tourism ends in March or early April, and then a drop in the flow of travelers is reported at the start of the rainy season in the country.

Diaz warned that it is time to work on the stabilization of the sector to reduce the gap that occurs between the changes in season and for this, he indicates that it is necessary to continue strengthening international promotion.

He called on the Comptroller General to expedite payments related to the marketing of Panama as a tourist destination. "While payments for international promotion are delayed in Panama, other countries continue to invest in the tourism market, affecting our competitiveness as a destination," he said.

In its report corresponding to the first quarter, the Tourism Promotion Fund, responsible for the international promotion of Panama, indicates that despite the fact that the number of visitors in 2023 was lower compared to 2019, the sales of hotel room occupancy and revenues exceeded 2019 figures. "A longer stay increases the economic impact on the entire tourism sector, as tourists spend more when they stay longer," Promtur highlights.

Between January and March, tourist spending by visitors, excluding the price of air tickets, reached $1.479 billion up 32% compared to 2022

"In the first quarter of this year, Panama's tourism industry has shown promising signs of recovery despite lower revenue volume compared to 2019. However, we anticipate exceeding pre-pandemic volumes by the end of 2023," he points out.