Panama’s Copa Airlines Program “Having Tourist Stays with Layovers” Increased by 38%
Panama Stopover also has a network of more than 80 partner businesses and projects to exceed 250,000 visitors by the end of 2026.
In the first half of this year, more than 132,000 travelers took advantage of their stopover in Panama to do tourism in the Central American country, 38% more than in the same period of 2025, within the framework of a program promoted by Copa Airlines and the Tourism authorities, the airline reported this Thursday.
Panama Plan Increases Visits
This is the Panama Stopover program, which allows Copa passengers a 15-day stay, at no additional cost to the airfare, to explore Panama. “Panama has the advantage of offering the best air connectivity in the region, which brings the country closer to dozens of international markets. The value of Panama Stopover lies in leveraging that connectivity so that more travelers stay in the country as part of their journey and not just as a transit point,” said Copa Airlines CEO Pedro Heilbron. Tocumen Airport expects record number of travelers for Carnival 2026 in Panama
Stopover Statistics
According to official information, the visitors who took the most advantage of the Stopover were those from Argentina, the United States, and Ecuador. Visitors took advantage of the program promoted by the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) and PROMTUR Panama to tour the Panama Canal, enjoy the gastronomic offer, go shopping and visit beach, nature and cultural destinations.
“Panama Stopover has become one of the most successful strategies for transforming our air connectivity into more tourism, greater economic benefits, and more opportunities for thousands of Panamanians. Every visitor who decides to stay in the country boosts hotels, restaurants, tour operators, businesses, and entrepreneurs,” said ATP Administrator Gloria De León.
Panama Stopover also has a network of more than 80 partner businesses and projects to exceed 250,000 visitors by the end of 2026.
