The tourism ecosystem relies on a series of essential elements to ensure the visitor a truly memorable experience. Among these, the hotel industry plays a fundamental role. More than just offering a place to rest, hotels serve as a vital link connecting travelers, destinations, and experiences. Furthermore, they have been a key driver of tourism growth and development in recent times.
For this reason, our special guest is Víctor Concepcion Peren—President of the Panamanian Hotel Association (APATEL) for the 2026 term and General Manager of Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort. With an agenda focused on strengthening competitiveness, driving sustainability, and promoting formal employment within the sector, he shares his vision of the current state of tourism in Panama exclusively with The Visitor – El Visitante.
What are the current projections for the hotel industry in Panama, and what challenges do Panama City and the country’s interior face in the short and medium term?
“Panama’s hotel industry is undergoing a period of recovery and growth, driven primarily by air connectivity, the “Panama Stopover” program, meetings tourism, and the arrival of international visitors. Projections are positive, yet growth must be measured not only by the volume of arriving tourists but also by how long they stay, their spending, and the number of jobs generated by the sector.
Panama City boasts significant advantages: the “Hub of the Americas”, a wide range of hotel options, infrastructure for congresses and conventions, international connectivity, and a growing culinary, retail, and cultural scene. However, it faces challenges such as seasonality, unfair competition from accommodations that do not always operate under the same rules or pay the same taxes as formal hotels, and the need to boost hotel occupancy rates year-round.
There is great potential to attract investment and create jobs in the country’s interior, but improvements are still needed in roads, transportation, air connectivity, public utilities, promotion, and training”.
With the Stopover program serving as a spearhead, how can air and ground connectivity foster sustainable tourism growth over time?
“The results released by the Panama Tourism Authority demonstrate the potential of the Stopover program. However, to fully capitalize on it, we need to facilitate the transportation of visitors from the city to the interior of the country.
International connectivity must be complemented by better roads, safe and efficient ground transportation, domestic airports, signage, and competitive transfer services. Visitors should be able to combine experiences—such as the Panama Canal, Casco Antiguo, gastronomy, beaches, mountains, adventure tourism, and rural destinations—within a single stay. To achieve this, it is necessary to develop tourism circuits that are easy to market and book”.
Planning is vital for the industry’s development. What can the hotel sector do to drive a policy that promotes tourism planning and development?
“The hotel sector actively participates in shaping public policy, contributing information, expertise, and concrete proposals. Decisions must be based on data regarding occupancy, demand, markets, investment, employment, and infrastructure.
Tourism planning must include measurable objectives, budgets, designated points of contact, and implementation timelines. It also requires continuity across administrations, as hotel and tourism investments depend on legal certainty and a long-term vision. Furthermore, the plan must define the type of investment needed for each destination, the infrastructure to be built, and the incentives capable of attracting private capital”.
How is the hotel industry working to help create new experiences across the country that attract more tourists?
“Hotels collaborate with tour operators, restaurants, transport providers, guides, producers, and entrepreneurs to create experiences that visitors can purchase and book. This helps extend tourists’ stays and generates new business opportunities.
The goal is to create profitable products, attract investment, increase the number of overnight stays, and generate jobs nationwide. Panama has the assets—now It’s time to build competitive and sustainable tourism businesses”.
Photos courtesy: Victor Concepcion – APATEL.