Panama is keen to unlock the potential of the Asian travel market

Through the huge commercial activity it already attracts from the Asia-Pacific region, via its canal, Panama is confident it can lure more tourists from the burgeoning Asian travel market.

Panama’s Vice Minister of Tourism Ernesto Orillac said interest in the region from a commercial perspective, particularly from China, could “definitely” be converted into more dollars for the tourism trade in Panama.

“I see Asia as a potential market in the near future,” Mr Orillac told e-Travel Blackboard at this year’s MITM Americas, held for the first time in Panama City.

But before Panama is considered a genuine contender for the big bucks to come from outbound Asian tourism, the country must work on securing even better connectivity to the region; something it is already in the process of doing.

“Of course we have connectivity with Asia because of the commercial way of Panama,” he explained.

“For the future of MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) travel, we need to improve the connectivity.

“We have been in serious negotiations with several airlines from Asia looking into the possibilities of flights, and I’m very positive that in the near future, maybe within a year, a year and a half, that can be a reality.”

Meanwhile, the reality is that Panama is already attracting travellers from Asia, with visitors from China, Japan and even Thailand, able to be seen at some of the country’s major tourist attractions and hotels.

Watch this space.