For the last two years, the Panamanian Institute of Tourism (IPAT) has been busy promoting Panama in Northamerica, Canada, Latinamerica, the Caribbean and Europe. And thus, it comes as no surprise when they announced that the number of visitors increased 11.6% in the first two months of the present year in relation to the same period in 2007.

Furthermore, Panama has received 1,111,000 tourists between January and September of 2008, which is 128,452 more tourists compared to the same period in 2007 according to IPAT - they also announced that Panama is on pace to reach its goal of 1,460,000 tourists by the end of 2008.

There is also news about Panama’s capital finishing as the second best hotel occupation worldwide in 2007, topped only by Australia’s Perth.

According to the Global Ranking Index, Perth got 85,1%, Panama, 84,7, and Dubai, 85,4. The Panamanian capital has jumped 146 spots since 2000.