International events held in the country to double

Incentives offered by the Panama Tourism Authority are increasingly convincing more event organizers to select the country to host important meetings, congresses and even world-class sport tournaments.

A minimum of around 40,000 tourists will be in Panama over the next two years to participate in over 15 international events, whose organizers selected our country over 20 other countries around the world, as confirmed by executives of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP).

Events range from sport tournaments like the Ironman Panama, which in February 2013 expects to attract an estimated 2,000 people among athletes, journalists and family members, to the World Missionary Movement, which will congregate around 15,000 people from across the Americas for next year's meeting in May.

According to Juan Ramón Maduro, coordinator of international congresses at the ATP, these international events were won months ago and they expect to triple the number of events in 2013 and 2014, with a millionaire increase in economic spill-over nationwide.

Maduro added that another event of great importance that will take place in Panama is the World Congress of Maritime Pilots that will convene 2,000 pilots from 4 continents, and where "each participant represents three to six hotel nights, plus their purchases from craft shops, shopping malls and other stores," underscored the official.

According to figures from the Panama Tourism Authority, the total of 126 conferences, conventions and international events to be held in 2012 represents around 120,000 hotel nights, a number higher than the 90,000 nights reached in 2011.

The general manager of the ATP, Salomón Shamah, said that Panama's air connectivity, low hotel prices compared to other cities on the continent, perspective of being a shopping paradise and tourist insurance are essential aspects that make organizers of these massive events choose our country as an ideal location.

Shamah added that the construction of the new convention center in Amador near the Museum of Biodiversity, the only one in Latin America designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, will add to the attractions of the capital city that encourage hosting these international meetings, which are expected to triple the number of tourists from conventions and congresses across the country.

The ATP reported that 66 events were earned and hosted in 2011, which generated 90,000 hotel nights. Whereas in 2012, with the support of this entity, more than 125 events that have produced over 120,000 daily occupations have been carried out.

Among the significant attractions that Panama offers to the organizers of large events is free use of the ATLAPA Convention Center.