Panama News
Panama records strong increase in visitors from Europe
From January to May 2017, Panama received a total of 102,388 European tourists, a 25.4 per cent increase on the same period in 2016, according to data from the Panama Tourism Authority. Visitors come mostly from Spain, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, who choose Panama for its nature and culture.
Lufthansa launches new Frankfurt-Panama City service
Lufthansa has launched a non-stop service between Frankfurt, Germany, and Panama City. Flight LH 484 departed from Frankfurt at 10:15 today, and is scheduled to arrive at the Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen in Panama City at 16:40 local time this afternoon. Eastbound flight LH 485 will leave Panama City at 18:45 local time this evening, and is due to land in Frankfurt at 11:35 local time tomorrow.
Emirates to launch world’s longest commercial flight in 2016
Emirates has revealed its plans to launch services to Panama City, beginning February 1st, 2016. The new service will be the longest non-stop flight in the world, at a record 17 hours 35 minutes in the westbound direction. The new route will also be Emirates’ first gateway destination in Central America.
US president Obama oversees $6bn Boeing-Copa aircraft order
Panama president Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez and United States president Barack Obama have witnessed a historic agreement in which Copa Airlines and Boeing announced an order for 61 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 airplanes. The order, valued at $6.6 billion at list prices, is the largest commercial transaction ever between a Panamanian and a US-based company. The signing ceremony took place in Panama City as leaders from throughout the Western hemisphere gathered for the seventh Summit of the Americas.
Lufthansa plans new flight to South American powerhouse Panama
Lufthansa is further expanding its route network to South America with the airline set to offer year-round flights to Panama City for the first time from November 16th, subject to government approval. An Airbus A340-300 aircraft will fly five times a week between Frankfurt and the economic metropolis in Central America.
Panama welcomes new Gehry-designed museum
Panamanian president Juan Carlos Varela, along with the nation’s Tourism Authority Administrator, Jesus Sierra Victoria, have inaugurated the first phase of Panama’s new Biomuseum designed by Canadian architect Frank Gehry. The museum, which is the only project Frank Gehry has designed in Latin America, will place Panama as “a world-class historical library on the evolution of species”, said Victoria.
Breaking Travel News interview: Rob Harper, director of business development, Namu Travel Group
Leading Central American travel company Namu Travel Group specialises in personalised, boutique vacations to Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua. Here Breaking Travel News catches up with Rob Harper, director of business development to discuss the group’s recent re-brand.
Panama City: A Carnival for the people
As Panama emerges as a Latin American tourism destination authorities there are seeking to use the annual Carnival as a calling card for international visitors. Breaking Travel News here takes up the invitation and heads to Panama City to investigate what is on offer in the fastest growing economy in South America.
Tocumen Airport in Panama doubles capacity
A new terminal is to be built at Tocumen Airport in Panama, increasing the airport capacity to up to 18 million passengers - double its current capacity - by 2014. The new Muelle Sur (South Dock) Terminal will require an investment of around US$450 million and will occupy a space of 80,000 square metres with 36 new boarding gates.
Panama’s US$1.2 million investment in Central America Travel Market pays off
The Ministers of Tourism of the seven Central American countries – Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama – unveiled the region’s tourism strategy for 2012 and other new developments at a press conference held at the VIII Central America Travel Market (CATM) in Panama.
Central America Travel Market focuses on 2012 agenda
Ministers of tourism from the seven Central American countries – Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama – have unveiled the region’s tourism strategy for 2012 at the VIII Central America Travel Market (CATM) in Panama. At the event, 2012 was declared “The Year of Sustainable Tourism” for Central America.
Panama launches global ad campaign
The Panama Tourism Authority (PTA) has launched a global advertising campaign to promote the country as a premier tourist destination during a ceremony held before the authorities of various tourism associations, media and special guests.