In Panama, the first $5 million was given to the International Tourism Promotion Fund, which is part of the $20 million that each year corresponds to the fund by law.

From the ATP statement:

May 24, 2019. The administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority, Gustavo Him, delivered this morning the first 5 million dollars to the International Tourism Promotion Fund, in the framework of the inauguration of International Tourism Expo 2019, which takes place at the ATLAPA Convention Center, on 24 and 25 May.

In a ceremony held at the ATP pavilion, Him announced that this first disbursement is part of the 20 million dollars that per year correspond to the fund by law and come from the budget of the entity, in order that the international promotion of the country is constant and competitive.

“We began the transfer process and are working on the second disbursement of the other 5 million that we hope will be endorsed in the next few days to be delivered to the Promotion Fund.  The plan is to complete the first 10 million dollars next week,” he explained.

On the other hand, Liriola Pittí, executive director of the fund, indicated that the operation of the Tourism Promotion Fund has finally begun.  “We will have the right personnel to develop the international marketing strategies required by Panama, which are vital to increase the number of visitors, length of stay and tourism spending, with the support of the private and public sectors to achieve this,” she said.

Read full statement (In Spanish).