Eight Panamanian companies are participating this week in the fair organized by Apple Vacations, the second largest tourism wholesaler in the United States. The meeting, which is attended by over a thousand agents selling tour packages by the U.S. firm, is being held in the cities of Chicago, Detroit and St. Louis.
Ernesto Orillac, deputy administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority, pointed out that the event will serve as an opportunity to confirm the country's position as a premier destination for American tourists. He indicated that this year Panama will be awarded as the destination of the year by the U.S. wholesaler. Along with the official delegation, representatives of hotel chains such as RIU, Sheraton, Decameron, Intercontinental and travel agencies like Aventuras 2000 traveled to the event.
In addition to participating in the event organized by Apple, Orillac will also meet with executives of another tourism wholesaler from that country, Caravans Tours, which has an agreement with Panama to promote national destinations. The United States continues to be the country that provides the most tourists for the Panamanian market.
In the first seven months of the year, it was reported that 160,000 American tourists entered the country, signifying a 10.2% increase compared to the numbers recorded over the same period last year.
