Panama’s tourism sector posted significant gains throughout 2025, solidifying the country’s position as a regional destination for both leisure and business travel. Official data released this year shows historic performance from the flagship Panama Stopover program alongside strong growth in international meetings and conventions.
The Panama Stopover initiative surpassed its goal of attracting 200,000 visitors, marking an all-time high since its launch. During the first half of the year alone, the program saw an 18 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This result sets a new record for the promotional campaign started in 2019.
Developed jointly by the Panama Tourism Authority and Promtur Panama, the program allows transit passengers at the Hub of the Americas to extend their stay in the country for up to seven days at no additional airfare cost. The average visit lasts three days.
“The Stopover program’s performance reflects a historic achievement for our national tourism strategy,” said an ATP official. [Translated from Spanish]
Officials credit the program’s success to Panama’s diverse attractions. The iconic Panama Canal remains the top draw, followed closely by local gastronomy, shopping opportunities, and cultural diversity. Since its inception, Panama Stopover has attracted over 640,000 tourists to experience the country.
Meetings and Conventions Sector Booms
Beyond leisure travel, Panama established itself as a regional hub for business events in 2025. The country hosted nearly 100 international meetings and conferences. These events brought more than 59,000 international participants to Panamanian soil.
Their attendance generated over 300,000 occupied hotel room nights, providing a substantial boost to the local hospitality industry. The momentum shows no signs of slowing. More than 60 international events are already confirmed for the 2026 calendar.
This growth is complemented by the arrival of an additional 130,000 incremental passengers from broader international promotion. Overall tourist arrivals to Panama increased by 5 percent for the year.
Cultural Events Drive Future Tourism
Panama is strategically leveraging its cultural heritage to attract visitors in the coming year. One of the first major events scheduled for 2026 is the Desfile de las Mil Polleras, or Parade of a Thousand Polleras. This event is one of the country’s most emblematic cultural expressions.
“This parade is a key event for projecting Panama as a cultural tourism destination,” stated Culture Minister María Eugenia Herrera. [Translated from Spanish]
Minister Herrera will serve as the official flag bearer for the 2026 parade. Her participation recognizes the immense patrimonial and cultural value of the pollera, a traditional Panamanian dress that highlights national identity. The event is scheduled for January 17, 2026, in Las Tablas, Los Santos Province, and will feature 105 delegations.
The sustained growth across both leisure and business segments points to a robust and diversified tourism economy. Panama’s integrated approach, combining transit incentives with cultural and business appeals, continues to yield measurable results. Industry analysts predict this positive trend will strengthen Panama’s competitive position in the regional tourism market for years to come.