With a budget of at least US$ 20 million per year to finance the promotion of the country as a tourist destination, the Tourism Promotion Fund (PROMTUR) Panama, together with Copa Airlines, has carried out a series of actions from its beginning in 2019 to date with the “Panama Stopover” program, managing to bring about 325,000 visitors to the country, with an impact of more than US$ 400 million during that period.
Fernando Fondevila, general director of PROMTUR Panama, indicated that the “Panama Stopover” program, which seeks to inspire the thousands of travelers who use the hub of the Americas as a connection point, to stay in the country, since that program allows them to stay up to six nights and seven days, to be able to discover the culture and history of Panamanian biodiversity.
“To date since we launched the program, we have reached approximately 325,000 visitors, despite the fact that we had a lapse period known to everyone due to the pandemic in which we had to stop the promotion, but if we count what has been achieved since 2019 and especially 2022 and 2023, we are above 320,000 passengers,” Fondevila explained.
Fondevila assured that otherwise these travelers would only have used Panama only as an efficient connection point, but instead they are staying in the country.
On the other hand, in addition, the general manager of PROMTUR mentioned that they are also launching a campaign with the purpose of stimulating the final destination Panama, and with the help of Copa Airlines, campaigns have been launched that allow the destination to be more attractive through special rates.
In addition, as part of the “Panama Lives for More” campaign, Copa Airlines presented the new Boeing 737- MAX9 aircraft with a special design of its painting, inspired by the wonders of Panama, its biodiversity, cultural roots, history and the city, which will be an instrument of tourism promotion of the country in each of the cities of the American continent operated by the airline, as an invitation to visit it and enjoy the unique experience it can offer you.
Pedro Heilbron, executive president of Copa Airlines, commented that this new aircraft marks a significant milestone for Copa in its joint efforts with PROMTUR in recent years, for the promotion of Panama’s tourism development.
The new design of the painting of the aircraft of “Panama Lives for More” presents a mural that represents the world of possibilities that awaits travelers in the Panama destination, highlighting its natural resources along with the rich and authentic cultural experiences.