Tourism spending in Panama up 6.3%

 IN THE FIRST five months of 2013, tourists in Panama spent $1.5 billion, representing an increase of $90.5 million (6.3 percent) compared to the same period last year says a report from the Panama Tourist Authority. But the boost is coming not from northern countries, but from South America.

“The average length of stay of a visitor in Panama is approximately 8.5 days spending on average per stay is $1,514 dollars, or $178 daily,” the authority said. In the period  under review there were 5.4 million visitors.

According to the document, 65.7 percent of the visitors entered through Tocumen International Airport, followed by cruise ports (21.5 percent) the Paso Canoas border (7.1 percent), and other ports (5.7 percent).

In this period, South American visitors entering through Tocumen International Airport accounted for 45.6 percent of the total number of passengers. It was followed by North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) with 26.8 percent, Europe (13 percent), Central America (9.2 percent), Asia (2.6 percent) and the West Indies (2.2 percent).

Arrrivals  from the regions of North America dropped1.6 percent), the West Indies (- 9.1 percent) and Asia (- 1.5 percent) from last year.

Visitors from Central America (12.7 percent), South America (1.6 percent), Europe (20.2 percent), Africa (20.2 percent) and Oceanía (1.7 percent) all increased.Tourism spending up 6.3%IN THE FIRST five months of 2013, tourists in Panama spent $1.5 billion, representing an increase of $90.5 million (6.3 percent) compared to the same period last year says a report from the Panam Tourist Authority.”The average length of stay of a visitor in Panama is approximately 8.5 days spending on average per stay is $1,514 dollars, or $178 daily,” the authority said. In the period under review there were 5.4 million visitors.According to the document, 65.7 percent of the visitors entered through Tocumen International Airport, followed by cruise ports (21.5 percent) the Paso Canoas border (7.1 percent), and other ports (5.7 percent).In this period, South American visitors entering through Tocumen International Airport accounted for 45.6 percent of the total number of passengers. It was followed by North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) with 26.8 percent, Europe (13 percent), Central America (9.2 percent), Asia (2.6 percent) and the West Indies (2.2 percent).Arrrivals from the regions of North America dropped1.6 percent), the West Indies (- 9.1 percent) and Asia (- 1.5 percent) from last year.Visitors from Central America (12.7 percent), South America (1.6 percent), Europe (20.2 percent), Africa (20.2 percent) and Oceanía (1.7 percent) all increased.