Panama tells the Canadian trade to mind their own business for good business!
Panamanian tourism officials are inviting Canadians involved in the meetings and incentives trade to at times mind their own business in Panama.
Tourism officials and representatives of Panama City hotels visited both Montreal and Toronto in early May, promoting a country that Canadians generally associate with leisure vacations as one that can easily accommodate business travellers as well.
“Panama is more than a beach destination. Panama has the infrastructure to host any congress,” Jose Dominguez, incentive, corporate and SMERF group sales manager for Panamanian tourism board Promtur Panama said during the Toronto visit. “This is a time to show Panama is a good destination for the corporate segment. We have the infrastructure, facilities and experience to manage corporate events (staff) looking for a unique destination. Panama is the perfect destination for your event.”
Among options for business travellers is the newish Panama Convention Center, which Dominguez described as “very large and very modern,” and is able to host over 20,000 people.
Among Panama City hotels represented in the roadshows were ones belonging to the Hyatt, J.W. Marriott and Westin brands, and all the properties on hand have extensive meeting facilities.
Among those on hand for the Panama event were Jose Dominguez of tourist board Promtur Panama and Laura Marin of Copa Airlines
Dominguez noted that Panama City has a restored old quarter that has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is within walking distance of a downtown area that features modern office towers and sees a lot of international banking.
Dominguez said Panama’s varying landscapes make it attractive to those in incentive travel, with tropical terrain and beaches awaiting visitors, and the country’s narrowest point making it particularly intriguing. “You can be on a beach on the Atlantic and then a beach on the Pacific on the same day.”
Those holding events in Panama during winter can escape cold temperatures and enjoy tropical weather, he continued.
Long-standing American influences in Panama mean many Panamanians speak English and the U.S. dollar has been adopted as the national currency.
Dominguez also praised Panama as a safe country, saying visitors can wander in it without any fears.
Also on hand for the event was Laura Marin, who oversees Panamanian carrier Copa Airlines’ Canadian operation and noted it has daily service from both Montreal and Toronto to Panama City, which the airline promotes as “the hub of the Americas.”
Copa serves 85 destinations in 32 countries, with its Latin American network reaching as far south as Santiago and Buenos Aires.
Marin said airline clients travelling beyond Panama City will find the average connection time in the Panamanian capital is one hour and they won’t have to go through customs and immigration. Their luggage will be shipped through to their final destination.
Marin said Copa has “amazing” promotional fares in June, with, for instance Toronto-Bogota being available for $380 round trip plus taxes. The travel period for the promotional fares is: Outbound: between June 13-16, while the return period is June 23-30. The last ticket date is May 30.
October will see the Star Alliance member begin offering onboard WiFi. Marin also said her carrier offers group discounts and tour conductors for groups of a certain size.
Meanwhile, Marin said Copa has built a following in this country’s travel agency community.
“They really like the service we provide, not only on board but also from my team,” she said.
