Panama's tourism engine isn't slowing down

Panama's tourism engine isn't slowing down

Panama received 999,934 international visitors in the first quarter of 2026, a 17.3% increase that brought the country to the edge of one million arrivals in just three months. The Panama Tourism Authority reported more than $2 billion in economic movement over that period, capping a 2025 that closed with approximately three million visitors. Copa Stopover grew 37% through April 2026, surpassing 88,000 visitors. Panama also has 86 confirmed and incentivized events lined up for 2026, including World of Coffee and the ICCA World Congress.

Gobble's Take: Panama has officially outgrown the layover identity. The numbers aren't a trend anymore — they're a statement. Source: Casa Solution

Two airports, one strategy

Copa Airlines will begin flying between Panama City and Porlamar, Venezuela, on November 26, 2026 — three weekly flights connecting Tocumen with Margarita Island. Air France enters the mix on December 11, linking Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, and Panama City twice weekly through March 2027. Meanwhile, Río Hato is quietly becoming its own entry point, with new services from Quito and Bogotá bringing visitors directly to Panama's Pacific Riviera without routing them through the capital.

Gobble's Take: Tocumen pulls the region together. Río Hato pulls people straight to the beach. Panama figured out it doesn't have to choose. Source: Punta Pacifica Realty

A stopover with room to breathe

Copa Airlines has expanded its Panama Stopover program from seven to 15 days, giving connecting passengers more time to explore Panama at no additional airfare cost before continuing to their final destination. The idea is simple: turn people who were just passing through into people who actually show up.

Gobble's Take: Seven days was a pit stop. Fifteen days is a vacation. Copa basically snuck a whole trip into your itinerary. Source: The Points Guy

In Case You Missed It

Yesterday's top stories:

• Panama tourism is running hot, with H1 arrivals at a record 1.75 million
• Panama City gets ten days of flamenco, with a free daytime lineup and a ticketed finale