Along the lines of economic drivers like international airport development, Panama is getting smart on tapping the huge transient trafice coming through Tocumen Airport by starting  a new campaign  “visit us for free”.  I was reading an article in the Visitante that outlined the program.   

An invitation to visit Panama for free is about to hit news stands and major television networks in Latin America. Panama’s new message to Latin America and the Caribbean is “visit us for free”. The Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) and Copa Airlines have officially launched a campaign in major media outlets to target Latin American-based passengers and invite them to include Panama in their travel plans – for free.

The “Visita Panamá Gratis” (Visit Panama Free) invites Copa passengers in transit at Tocumen International to “stop over” in Panama without paying the $100 fee for baggage collection and checking back into their connecting flight. The promo will include special packages with transfers, hotels and tours, available soon on www.visitpanama.com.

The angle makes sense. The closer a potential tourist is to a potential destination, the more likely they are to visit. And there are millions and millions of opportunities passing through Tocumen International on their way to and from destinations each year.