Cruise Tourism Booming in Panama

Online, February 15, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Cruise tourism continues to grow in Panama, a country that recently chose to meet passenger demands by increasing cruise routes and extending the 2011 cruise season. Its strategic location, extensive sea transport activity and tourist attractions make Panama a mandatory stop for cruise ships traveling throughout the Caribbean each year.

"Panama's geographic position at the crossroads of the continent is certainly an important factor in cruise tourism, in addition to being a destination with an excellent and diverse range of tourist attractions," said Diego Fernandez de Cordoba, president of Panama's Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

Panama continues to promote cruise tourism and strengthening its relationships with major cruise lines, as indicated by the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP). The ATP has projected an increase in the frequency of cruise ships that will depart to and from Puerto Colon to approximately 185 international cruise ships. This will generate about 320 thousand tourists annually for the Central American country; all eager to discover the attractions of the country.

Panama's tourism growth has made Puerto Colón a major shipping center cruise; one that has added two cruise routes and extended the cruise season for two additional months. The province of Colon is located 80 kilometers from Panama City and is the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal. It is the second largest city of the country. Colon Free Zone is the most important free zone in the western hemisphere and ranks second as a center for the import and redistribution of goods worldwide.

The first cruise of the season, which runs from October 2010 to May 2011, is Pullmantur's Ocean Dream. A total of 34 voyages will travel until June, 2011 with an itinerary that starts in Panama and passes through the ports of Cartagena and Santa Marta in Colombia, Aruba, La Guaira in Venezuela and Curacao. Another Panama cruise is Royal Caribbean International's Grandeur of the Seas, which has the capacity for 2,446 guests. This cruise ship offers a complete spa, six whirlpools and an outdoor jogging track, among other attractions.

The Panama Canal Zone is one of the world's busiest sea lanes. An estimated 300 ships visit it each year. Panama is experiencing an increase for cruise tourism, which positions Puerto Colon as one of the preferred ports for cruise ships. It is one of the fastest growing countries for tourism in Latin America.

The idea of making Panama a cruise port has grown in recent years. A growth of arrivals in recent seasons and an increase with these two cruise routes makes Panama's cruise season more popular.