Tourism in Panama developed very differently from the way it did in the neighboring countries of Central America. The economic activity until recently in was concentrated purely in Panama City. The city has developed as the trade, offshore and financial center for decades. Today we see the directions have diversified and the hospitality industry is picking up, especially in the number of areas on the beach.
The tourism sector in Panama is still mostly oriented to retail services and extreme vacationing. Huge investment into retail and shopping services has positioned the country as a commercial center.
However, the beach developments are taking higher share in investment portfolio now and there plenty of projects along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts which are now at different stage of their completion and some have already been opened.
There are three major factors for tourism development: infrastructure, communication and supply. All of those factors are present in Panama. The offer is significant: beaches and local nature are amazing.
Nowadays, there almost 3 thousand rooms available only 1.5 hour drive from Panama City. And basic forecast says it will be 4,000 rooms before the end of 2014. Tourism sector is very productive part of economy: every hotel room generates 2-2.5 direct jobs positions and about 6.2 indirect ones.
