Apatel: Panamanian tourism is at its best moment

• 28 October, 25

Panama’s hotel and tourism sector is experiencing a strong upswing in 2025, driven by improved service quality, renewed investor confidence, and growing international recognition. According to the Panamanian Hotel Association (Apatel), the country is in a “positive moment,” supported by tangible progress in hospitality standards. This momentum was highlighted by an international ranking that placed 4 Panamanian hotels among the best in Central America—an achievement the industry views as evidence of coordinated efforts by hotels, tour operators, guides, and restaurants to elevate the country’s image.

Tourists explore the Old Quarter, one of Panama’s main tourist attractions.

Tourism indicators are equally encouraging. From January to August 2025, international visitor arrivals increased 5.1%, while tourism revenue reached $4.4 billion, up 8.9% from the previous year. Hotel occupancy averaged 57.9% during the same period. The tourism sector now accounts for around 10% of Panama’s GDP, reinforcing its strategic role in the country’s economic reactivation. Officials highlight unprecedented growth supported by global promotional campaigns, major international events, and the rising appeal of ecotourism in areas like Darién and the UNESCO-listed Trans-Isthmian Colonial Route.

Regional data show Panama leading tourism growth in Latin America, with an 8.4% increase in the first half of 2025, outperforming Guatemala (8.0%), Mexico (7.3%), El Salvador (3.3%), and Costa Rica (3.0%). Authorities and industry leaders agree that sustained promotion, enhanced safety, and investment in human capital are essential to ensuring that the sector’s current momentum translates into long-term development and broader economic benefits.

Cre: Solaya