Moderators Moderator_03 Posted October 7, 2022 Moderators Share Posted October 7, 2022 Quote The arrival of cruise ships could generate over $10 million for Panama Posted 06/10/2022 The last quarter of the year marks the beginning of the cruise season. According to the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), about 44 vessels will be arriving in the country and will anchor in the ports of Amador, Colón 2000, San Cristóbal, Yacht Club Lago Gatún, among others. Estimates of the economic impact that these ships, mostly from Europe and the United States, could be above $10 million dollars. Thaysie Gómez, director of Tourist Companies of the ATP, told TVN that this cruise season will last until next May 2023 and luxury vessels are expected to arrive, which travel with up to 80 passengers, who incur different expenses during their stay in the country. Gómez pointed out that there are cruise lines that carry out base port operations, that is, these people arrive in the country and stay for several days before embarking, giving them to have the opportunity to discover the attractions that the country offers. Positive activity In addition, he said, the cruise season is a positive activity for the entire value chain of the tourism sector: transportation, restaurants, tour guides, travel agencies, and shopping malls, among others." “It is a great opportunity for the country to open its doors and show its best face with a good welcome and customer service, inviting them to discover the rich biodiversity of the territory, its history, its varied gastronomy, which is also a way of promoting country, encouraging tourists to return to their nation with an excellent impression of the country”, concluded Gómez. The entity assured that during this season it will be supervising from the different ports so that the best possible service is provided to visitors and that the experience they have during their visit is pleasant and with the best possible quality and safety standards. https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/the-arrival-of-cruise-ships-could-generate-over-10-million-for-panama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted March 10, 2023 Moderators Share Posted March 10, 2023 Quote Norwegian Cruise Line cancels Panama departures On December 3, 1,800 frustrated passengers took more than 7 hours to complete the boarding process for the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship due to a lack of organization. Posted 09/03/2023 The Norwegian Cruise Line company canceled its home port operation for the years 2024 and 2025 departing from the Amador and Colón terminals. Sandy Cohen, owner of Columbia Tours, and exclusive representative of Norwegian Cruise Line for Panama and Central America said that the itineraries that were planned for those years are no longer available. She does not know the reason that led the company to cancel its departures from Panama but said that there are many factors that are at stake, such as state support for the marketing of the route and new markets, among others. Cohen described the season carried out by the shipping company as successful, leaving from the Amador and Colón terminals from the end of 2022 until March 2023. Some ships left with 100% occupancy, while others registered occupancies above 80%, which is positive for a new route. BOARDING SNAFU On December 3, 2022, 1,800 passengers boarding the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship took more than seven hours to complete the boarding process, due to the lack of organization on the part of the State entities, responsible for facilitating the process. Cohen said that the boardings after December 3 were carried out normally after the administration of the port of Amador took responsibility for the process. "It is important that for the new cruise season, the Amador terminal is 100% finished to facilitate the arrival and departure of cruise ships," said the businesswoman. The Norwegian Cruise Line home port operation came to fruition after the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) announced that the State would pay the toll for cruises through the Panama Canal, as long as the shipping companies allowed the boarding of passengers in the country. the ATP has not reacted to the cancellation of the home port starts for 2024 and 2025. https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/norwegian-cruise-line-cancels-panama-departures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted April 17, 2023 Moderators Share Posted April 17, 2023 Quote Over 40 cruise passengers denied entry over crime alerts Posted 16/04/2023 More than 40 people seeking to enter Panama through cruise ships have been returned for maintaining alerts for various crimes committed in other countries. The director of the National Migration Service, Samira Gozaine, pointed out that, among the crimes committed by these people with alerts, are rape and pedophilia. "Migration capacities have been increased in the ports and in the Tocumen airport, which makes it easier to have the required biometric matches to be able to identify these people," said the official. So far this cruise season, some 200,000 people have arrived on Panamanian soil between passengers and crew. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/over-40-cruise-passengers-denied-entry-over-crime-alerts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted June 12, 2023 Moderators Share Posted June 12, 2023 Quote Panama tourism rebounds in first quarter Posted 10/06/2023 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. https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/panama-tourism-rebounds-in-first-quarter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted June 23, 2023 Moderators Share Posted June 23, 2023 Quote Panama tourism returns to pre-pandemic levels Posted 22/06/2023 Tourism in P Panama is on the rise and the indicators show that the recovery is reflected in all segments, including arrivals of travelers, hotel capacity, and length of stays. ProPanamá, Camtur and Promtur Panama agree that the tourism sector is already at 2019 levels and is growing much more with all the initiatives that are operating. The tourism sector closed the first quarter of 2023 with a figure of 787,000 visitors, which represented the period with the most visitors in the history of tourism in Panama. With these indicators, not only was 84% of the number of visitors exceeded in the same period of 2022, but also in 2019. This was confirmed by the general administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), Iván Eskildsen, during his visit to the inauguration of Fiexpo Latin America 2023, which was held at the Panama Convention Center. The statements were confirmed by the general administrator of the Authority for the Attraction of Investments and Promotion of Exports (ProPanamá), Carmen Gisela Vergara, and by Ovidio Díaz, president of the National Chamber of Tourism (Camtur). The ATP administrator found that conventions were the segment that helped the economic recovery of tourism the fastest. For example, he mentioned that with the Panama Convention Center, the number of visitors expected from the contract was assumed to double. 2022 was the first full year of operations with the arrival of 96,000 people. By 2023 they expect more than 136,000 visitors.” https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-tourism-returns-to-pre-pandemic-levels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted September 4, 2023 Moderators Share Posted September 4, 2023 Quote Tourism promotion impacted Panama economy $902 million Posted 03/09/2023 The international tourism promotion of Panama has generated an estimated economic impact of $902 million from January to June of 2023 leading the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (Cciap) to call for more of the same after several years when the country's tourism potential remained limited by the institutional weakness of the sector, as a result of the lack of planning, dispersed investment and little coordination with the private sector. The efforts led by the Panama Tourism Promotion Fund (Promtur Panama) and the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), have resulted in a significant increase in trips from priority markets and a significant extension in the length of stay of tourists in Panama. The flow has been driven by the nine priority source markets: the United States, Colombia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Argentina, Spain, France, and Germany, which generated the highest volume of tourist arrivals by air. That is, 58.7% more compared to 41.3% in other markets. Another important indicator of tourist activity highlights the business association, is the stay of tourists from these countries, which has increased from 8 to 10.9 days. On the other hand, the tourism industry shows more and more signs of recovery, says the Cciap. From January to April 2023, for example, 98% of the levels registered in 2019 were recovered according to figures from the Panama Tourism Authority. Promtur estimates a 105% recovery in the arrival of tourists at the end of the year (2023 versus 2019), through all ports. “Beyond these very good results, what we are seeing today are the fruits of management continuity, better government-private sector coordination, and the professionalization of our international tourism promotion. In addition, an agreed strategy is to strengthen a unified international tourism brand that is consistently promoted at the local level. It is vital to understand that the way forward is to continue the investment made and never return to inexplicable decisions with which at the time resources were cut for the promotion of tourism in Panama," says the Chamber. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/tourism-promotion-impacted-panama-economy-902-million Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted September 15, 2023 Moderators Share Posted September 15, 2023 Quote Norwegian Cruise Line close to pre-pandemic levels Posted 13/09/2023 The Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is “close” to reaching pre-pandemic levels, its new president David Herrera said in an interview with EFE, with his eyes on tourists who have never traveled on cruises to ensure “success” in market expansion. Herrera, of Cuban origin and who took office this year as the first Hispanic in charge of the company, stressed that they are beginning to approach the numbers prior to COVID-19, remembering that this health crisis paralyzed that industry for a year and a half. The executive also stressed that just over a year has passed since the United States Government definitively lifted, in August 2022, the health protocols for cruise ships, such as negative COVID-19 tests, among other restrictions. In that sense, he indicated that it is a short time for that industry, but he predicts a "strong return to normality", with a "record" sales last July for the company that has a fleet of 19 ships. After the pandemic, NCL has inaugurated two of a total of six ships in the new Prima category which, among other features, provides more open spaces to facilitate passenger distancing. The president of NCL explained that the Caribbean has always been important for the company and that it has tended to be a bridge for many tourists who begin to travel through this region, and then go to other destinations such as Alaska, Europe, or other exotic destinations in Australia or Asia. In that sense, he highlighted that both the Caribbean and Latin America have also shown continuous growth, but that “it takes a long time” to establish a market. He highlighted growth in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia, and said that they were “excited about Panama,” which is projected as the center to promote global cruises for Latin American passengers. He recalled that less than two years ago the company signed an agreement with the port authority of Panama to encourage the shipping industry. Herrera stated that the company has 20% more beds than in 2019 and that they plan to inaugurate the next cruise ship in March 2025. He also stressed that the annual growth in capacity with new ships is between 3% and 5% annually, which he considers “easily digestible” by the cruise industry, which has about 31.5 million passengers sailing. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/norwegian-cruise-line-close-to-pre-pandemic-levels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted December 8, 2023 Moderators Share Posted December 8, 2023 Quote Thousands of tourists arrive in Panama Posted 07/12/2023 More than 6 thousand tourists, from all over the world, arrived in Panama after two cruise ships arrived at the Amador Cruise Port. The Viking Mars and the Norwegian Joy, cruise lines that chose this port for their home port operations, touched the port on the night of this Tuesday, December 5, so that disembarkation would begin on Wednesday, the 6th. With the hard inter-institutional work of the National Government, thousands of tourists managed to move fluidly in the largest embarkation and disembarkation operation in recent years; this entire flow of tourists impacts the entire value chain of the national tourism industry. These operations, in our country, are the result of the good relations that the National Government manages with both companies, one of the most important in vacation experiences on board, allowing a massive movement of travelers to and from Panama, boosting the economy and contributing to the revitalization of the national tourism sector during the high tourism season. The general administrator of the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), Denise Guillén, said that these types of operations such as the home port, are a strategic opportunity for the country in the positioning sought in the international tourism market. “The trust that cruise lines, hotel chains, and airlines place in Panama for their operations is a reflection of the work carried out throughout this administration to attract new and more investments in this sector, following the objectives of our master plan,” Guillen noted. Panama is a highly relevant destination as a home port for cruise ships thanks to our strategic geographical position, outstanding air connectivity, quality port infrastructure in continuous development, and world-class tourist attractions that reflect our tourism brand: live for further! https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/thousands-of-tourists-arrive-in-panama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted December 24, 2023 Moderators Share Posted December 24, 2023 Quote Panama Tourism sector rebounding The tourism sector in Panama had been moving towards a full recovery until September of this year. A report from the Panama Tourism Authority, details that between January and September the country received 1.88 million international visitors, 44% more than in the same period in 2022, or the equivalent of 576,463 additional visitors. Of this number, 1.4 million people are considered tourists, that is, they stay in the country for more than 2 days. Another 236,258 were cruise ship passengers and 242,148 day visitors. The number of tourists increased by 33% until September and the number of cruise passengers increased 557.3%, mainly due to the 2022-2023 cruise season that runs from October to April, taking into account that the majority of cruise ships in the world returned after the pandemic only at the end of 2022. January of this year was the month with the highest number of cruise passengers in Panama with 73,611 people. Tourism sector takes breath again Of the total visitors, the Tocumen International Airport represented 70.9% of the entries in the period from January to September 2023. The Paso Canoas border 4.1%, the cruise ports 12.5% of the movement of visitors and others ports represent 12.5% of the international flow of people entering the country. Until September of this year, income from tourism, without counting the cost of international transportation, registered a total of 4,128.6 million dollars, 19% more than between January and September of last year when 3,465.3 million dollars were registered. The highest income was reported in January with 525.3 million dollars, and in March with 509.5 million dollars. Tourism sector takes breath again The average length of stay of a visitor in Panama was 8 days and the average expenditure was $2,187, around $273 per day. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-tourism-sector-rebounding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted March 2 Moderators Share Posted March 2 Quote Panama Tourism is short of funds Posted 01/03/2024 Tourism, a sector that all presidential candidates are betting on to replace the income from the activity generated by Minera Panama, does not have the resources that correspond to it by law in 2024 to be able to attract international visitors reports La Prensa. The Tourism Promotion Fund (Promtur) should have been allocated $20 million each year, but after the 2024 budget adjustments this entity was left with only $10 million. And the money that is needed would be sought via supplemental credit because a reserve was not generated. The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) announced that it will request the Cabinet Council to manage a supplementary credit to the ATP's fiscal year 2024 budget, to complete the $10 million tranche required by the Tourism Promotion Fund (Promtur). Due to the budget cut, Promtur's resources were reduced by 50%, but the tourism sector and business associations have pointed out the need to respect the provisions of Law 9 of 2017 to give continuity to the promotion and not lose the work that was done in recent years to attract tourists. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-tourism-is-short-of-funds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted March 27 Moderators Share Posted March 27 Quote New Cruise Terminal in Amador Posted 26/03/2024 The new Cruise Terminal in Amador was inaugurated Tuesday with an investment of $206 million. The Panama terminal is equipped with the highest tourist and customs standards to provide visitors with a comfortable and safe experience. This megaproject contributes to perfecting Panama's positioning as the country with the best maritime and air connectivity in Latin America and the Caribbean, which constitutes an insurmountable competitive advantage in favor of the economic and human development of our country. The new cruise port, strategically located at the entrance to the Panama Canal, operates under the concept of “home port”; That is, a base port increasing the competitive advantages of Panama as the “hub of hubs” of the Americas. This 88-hectare work is an integral part of the Amador Development Plan, created to boost the economy by taking advantage of the strategic geographical location of Panama along with the natural beauty of our country. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/new-cruise-terminal-in-amador Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted April 17 Moderators Share Posted April 17 Quote Current Government to Cut Tourism Dollars by 50% A 50% Government cut in tourist promotional funds will affect the number of tourists who come to Panama. This was stated by the Panamanian Hotel Association (Apatel) through a statement released this year. The Panamanian economy would stop attracting $1.1 billion due to the cut in funds to promote Panama as a tourist destination. The industry demands answers from the authorities. Panama's economy will be deprived of a $1.1 billion injection due to a $10 million reduction in funds allocated to tourism promotion. The organization specified that instead of allocating $20 million in tourism promotion, the State only allocated half of that this year. Law 9 of 2017, which created the Tourism Promotion Fund (Promtur), establishes that it must have an annual budget of 20 million dollars to execute the country's international strategy as a tourist destination. By assigning only half – says the hoteliers' statement – marketing strategies, international advertising and strategic alliances in convention tourism will be compromised. “The lack of dialogue and action by the economic and legislative authorities further aggravates the uncertainty in the sector.” Tourism plays a vital role in the Panamanian economy, generating direct and indirect employment and contributing significantly to the inflow of foreign currency and tax collection. According to the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), estimated tourism income between January and November 2023 amounted to $4,992.7 million. The May 5 elections are coming for a new party in power, and there are politicians who are big on tourism and tourism dollars so I am sure that we will see some upgrades to these Promtur funds this year 2024. We definitely need more tourism and tourist attractions. Mulino: 'We will make a tourism revolution, with 1 million more visitors from the first year' “We will promote tourism at the national level through incentives in order to promote Panama as an international destination,” stated the presidential candidate. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/current-government-to-cut-tourism-dollars-by-50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted May 16 Moderators Share Posted May 16 Quote A Tourist to Panama Talks About Her Travels Posted 15/05/2024 Monica Humphries took a domestic flight with Copa and regretted not booking it for her longer, round-trip flight home. Here is Monica’s story as reported to Newsroom Panama. “Once you arrive in Panama, the experiences are endless. In Panama City, visitors can explore historic neighborhoods, try new cuisines, tour the impressive Panama Canal, and dance nights away on rooftop bars. Outside the country's capital, tourists can head to destinations like Boquete for coffee farm tours and lush rainforest hikes. It's a country sandwiched by oceans, so pristine beaches and ritzy resorts dot the coastline. When it came to booking my nine-day trip in April, squeezing in as many experiences as possible was key. And to cover the most ground, I decided to hop on a flight from Panama City to David. This also meant traveling on an airline I'd never experienced before. Copa Airlines, a member of the Star Alliance, offers both domestic and international flights with headquarters in Panama. Founded in 1947, the airline now services more than 30 destinations. Copa Airlines is Panama's flag carrier. The airline offers flights across the country and to more than 30 destinations. About a month before heading to Panama, I booked my round-trip Copa Airlines flight between Panama City and David. The Enrique Malek International Airport in David offered easy access to rainforests in Boquete and beaches on the Pacific Coast. The airline flies between the destinations every morning and afternoon, with flights leaving Panama City at 7:52 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. I chose the morning flight. Copa has only two cabins: economy and business. However, travelers can book different fare types, which include perks like checked bags, refunds, and seat selection. I picked the cheapest ticket, basic economy, which cost $167 for the round-trip. I headed to the airport early on my third day in Panama. Since I didn't have a bag to check, I breezed through security. My basic economy ticket included a standard carry-on bag, and a checked suitcase would have cost $40. However, other ticket tiers include at least one free checked bag. I arrived at my gate about an hour before boarding. The flight was on time, and like most airlines, Copa uses boarding group numbers to welcome passengers on board. After hearing my group number, I hopped on a bus that brought passengers to the aircraft's ramp. The airline has a few aircraft in its fleet, but I was on a Boeing 737-800 for my domestic flights.After walking the ramp, I boarded the plane. I walked past the business-class seats and into the economy cabin. Then, I snuggled into my window seat. The seats were an upgrade from the budget airlines I typically fly. They were slightly cushioned with a flexible headrest. But there weren't many amenities beyond that. I didn't spot an outlet or USB plug, the seats only slightly reclined, and the legroom felt standard. The seats also didn't have individual screens. Before takeoff, small TVs came down and played a safety video. Flight attendants came by about halfway through the ride with complimentary snacks and beverages. Tortilla chips were the only free snack offered to economy passengers. For drinks, I picked from the typical slew of juices, sodas, teas, and coffee. And in just over an hour, the flight was landing in David.The experience was seamless, and as I spoke to Panamanians, they all raved about their beloved airline. I later learned that the airline has continuously won awards for being the best airline in Central America and the Caribbean, and it's also known for its punctuality. But the biggest reason I'd book Copa Airlines again is for its nonstop route between Panama City and my home city of Denver. My flight home could've been just 6.5 hours, instead of the 9.5-hour journey I booked. If I could avoid a lengthy layover for future trips to and from Panama, I'd book the carrier again in a heartbeat.” https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/a-tourist-to-panama-talks-about-her-travels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Admin_03 Posted May 17 Administrators Share Posted May 17 Quote The Best Things to Do in Panama Posted 16/05/2024 The Best Things to Do in Panama: Surfing, Coffee Tastings, and Private Island Stays. One visit barely scratches the surface of the isthmus nation that straddles Central and South America. Panama has long been a paradise for the backpacker crowd thanks to 1,800 miles of pristine coastline and an abundance of budget-friendly accommodations. But in recent years, the Central American country has won over a more varied mix of travelers, luring luxury-seekers, coffee snobs, serious conservationists, and everyone in between. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to a Panamanian getaway—you can see three-toed pygmy sloths in Bocas del Toro, marvel at Spanish-colonial architecture in Panama City’s Casco Viejo, and learn about centuries-old Mola textile crafts by visiting Guna artisans in the San Blas Islands. To live out your private-island Robinson Crusoe fantasies, book a stay at Islas Secas or Nayara Bocas del Toro. You can’t go to Panama and not see its most famous attraction: the 50-mile Panama Canal waterway. Here are ideas for how to spend your next Panamanian holiday. To wander through the cobblestoned streets of Casco Viejo, the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas, is to traveling back in time. Panama’s capital has been called the skyscraper capital of Latin America; it has roughly the same number of high-rise towers as Doha, Qatar, and Beijing, China (and a Chinese cuisine scene to match). But vestiges of the city’s colonial past can still be found in its charming old quarter, called Casco Viejo: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. Wandering its cobblestoned streets is like traveling back in time, with colorful Spanish, French, and Caribbean architecture as your backdrop. The area is equally known for its historic sites like the Metropolitan Cathedral and the atmospheric Plaza de Francia square as much as its gastronomy and nightlife. If you only have time for one dinner, make it Fonda Lo Que Hay, chef José Olmedo Carles Rojas’s modern spin on a typical Panamanian roadside restaurant. Let's talk about more to see and do in Panama tomorrow. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/the-best-things-to-do-in-panama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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