Panama welcomed nearly one million international visitors in Q1 2026, marking a 17.3% year - over - year growth. This surge generated over $2 billion in economic activity, significantly boosting the country’s tourism and real estate sectors, figure considered today as a record and that consolidate the sector as the engine of the Panamanian economy.
The explosive first - quarter numbers of Panama are primarily driven by three strategic initiatives:
• Incentivized Events: The Panama Authority hosted over 40 major international conventions and meetings during Q1 2026, with 86 more confirmed for the remaining of the year.
• Panama Stopover Program: Backed by Copa Airlines, this initiative allows transit passenger at Tocumen International Airport to stop in Panama for up to 15 days at no additional airfare.
• Targeted Marketing: A multi - million dollar campaign directed at priority markets (notably Canada, the United States, Europe, and Latin America) has vastly increased global visibility.
During the balance of the industry in 2026, the Administrator of the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), Gloria De León, said that from January to March 2026 999.934 travellers have visited the isthmus, which makes the country one of the fastest growing destinations in Latin America.
The number of visitors in Q1 2026 reflects an increase of 17.3% in relation to the same period of the previous year, and the economic impact also marked a milestone with more than $2 billion circulated in the national economy thanks to the tourist movement, according to official statistics from the National Institute and Census (INEC).
ATP Administrator also stressed that these data reflect the strengthening of the international positioning of the canal nation and the positive effect of the new global promotion strategies, mentioning that one of the axes of this success has been the segment of conventions, meetings and international events.
Panama plans to carry out 86 confirmed activities during this year, including high - profile meetings such as the World of Coffee Panama 2026, held for the first time in Latin America an event will take place on October 23 - 25 at the Panama Convention Center and will bring together more than 13.000 visitors and estimated 370 global exhibitors in a relevant appointment for international buyers and producers of the bean.
Also noteworthy is the celebration of the 65th edition of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) that will take place from November 8 - 11, 2026, one of the most important forum of the meeting industry with the participation of more than 1.600 delegates, 1.400 buyers, and 120 associations.
Additionally, ICCA expanded its strategic presence in the region by establishing an official office at the Panama Association Hub (PAH) to support Latin America and the Caribbean.
According to the Administrator of the Tourism Authority of Panama these events would generate the arrival of more than 58.000 visitors, boosting hotel occupancy, gastronomic consumption and local commerce.
The official also announced that the country is making progress in the implementation of the new free insurance for tourists, an initiative that would come into force in the coming weeks once the process of endorsing the contract is concluded.
Another outstanding initiative that enhances the success of Panama as a destination of relevant level is the tourism promotion strategy led by the agency Promtur Panama with important actions in Latin America in countries such as Argentina, Colombia and Mexico as well as in Europe with campaigns in France, Germany and Spain.
Link
https://infoturlatam.com/casi-un-millon-de-turistas-visitaron-panama-este-primer-trimestre/
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