Panama’s formal hotel sector had a strong first quarter in 2026. According to the Panamanian Hotel Association, known as APATEL, visitor arrivals increased by 17% compared to the same period in 2025.
The growth was mainly supported by two factors: more meetings and conventions, and Panama’s strong air connectivity through Tocumen International Airport.
Víctor Concepción, president of APATEL, said the first quarter was one of the best the hotel sector has seen in recent years. The increase shows that Panama is receiving more business travelers, convention visitors, and tourists using the country as a regional travel hub.
More Events Are Helping Hotels Stay Busy
One of the biggest drivers of hotel demand is meetings tourism. This includes business events, conferences, conventions, exhibitions, and corporate gatherings.
The Panama Convention Center in Amador is playing an important role in this growth. APATEL reported that more than 80 international events are already confirmed at the convention center through December 2026.
This is important for hotels because business events can help fill rooms during slower travel periods. Visitors who come for events also spend money on restaurants, transportation, tours, logistics, and other local services.
For Panama City, this type of tourism supports hotels, furnished rentals, restaurants, and service businesses. Areas with convenient access to the convention center, the financial district, the airport, and entertainment zones may benefit from this steady flow of visitors.
Panama Wants Better Hotel Data
Along with the increase in visitors, APATEL is encouraging hotels to join the STR program, also known as Smith Travel Research.
STR is a global hotel data platform used to measure important information such as occupancy, room rates, and hotel performance. The program is being promoted together with the Panama Tourism Authority.
The goal is simple: Panama needs better and more consistent tourism data.
According to APATEL, the country does not currently have a unified system for collecting hotel information. Better data would help hotels, investors, developers, and government agencies understand where demand is growing and where more planning is needed.
Some hotel operators have been hesitant to share information, but APATEL says these concerns are mostly based on fear. The association wants more hotels to participate so the industry can work with clearer numbers.
Stopover Program Now Allows Stays of Up to 15 Days
Another factor helping tourism is the Panama Stopover program, operated in partnership with Copa Airlines.
The program allows passengers traveling through Panama to stay in the country without paying extra airfare. The maximum stay was recently increased from 7 days to 15 days.
This gives travelers more time to explore beyond Panama City. Instead of staying only one or two nights, visitors now have a better opportunity to travel to beach, mountain, and interior destinations.
This could help areas such as Boquete, Pedasi, and Playa Venao, especially if travelers use the extra time to visit different parts of the country.
For expats, this can also make Panama easier to explore before relocating or buying property. A longer visit gives people more time to compare communities, understand travel distances, and see what lifestyle best fits them.
How This Could Affect Properties
This hotel growth does not mean property prices will automatically rise. That would be too simple of an assumption. But it does show that tourism demand is moving in a positive direction.
In Panama City, stronger convention activity may support demand for well-located apartments, furnished rentals, and properties close to business and tourism areas. Investors should still review rental rules, building regulations, monthly costs, and competition before buying.
In interior markets, the expanded Stopover program could slowly help tourism-based areas. More visitors with more time in the country may create additional interest in boutique hotels, vacation homes, small hospitality projects, and land in established destinations.
The biggest long-term benefit may be better information. If Panama’s hotel industry adopts STR more widely, investors will have clearer data when evaluating tourism trends and property opportunities.
Casa Solution Real Estate assists buyers, sellers, and investors throughout Panama, including city, beach, mountain, commercial, and hospitality-related properties. Contact our team if you are exploring Panama real estate and want guidance from experienced local professionals.
Date written: June 21, 2026
