Chinese Tourism Increasing In Panama After Diplomatic Relations Established

[Moderator_02]

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Air China starting Panama flights in March

Posted on November 19, 2017 in Panama, Panama, Panama

Post Views: 132

AIR CHINA  will begin flights to Panama in just four months time says Cai JianJiang, president of the National Aviation Company.

He passed the news, to President Juan Carlos Varela, during the current Panama political and trade mission to the People’s Republic of China. It comes after the signing of an aviation agreement between the two countries.

Panama’s Foreign Ministry said that there will be two flights a week from Beijing, which will connect with Panama via Houston, Texas.

Air China is one of the main Chinese airlines, which has also reported on that it will establish regional offices in Panama, ” said the Ministry.

The aviation agreement, which was signed by Isabel de Saint Malo Alvarado Panama Vice President and Chancellor, , and the Civil Aviation Administrator of China, Feng Zhenglin, grants traffic rights to open flights to and from Panama and the People’s Republic of China, “laying the groundwork for any designated airline to institute  cooperative marketing agreements. “

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/air-china-starting-panama-flights-march

[Moderator_02]

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Will Chinese Tourists Come to Central America?

Businessmen from the Panamanian tourist sector welcome the arrival of Air China flights in March 2018, but consider it will be a challenge to attract a type of tourist that seems to prefer very different destinations than those offered by Central America.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

In a region which for many years has specialized in serving North American tourists and more recently Europeans, preparing to provide the attention demanded by tourists from China will be a challenge, according to the Panamanian tourism entrepreneurs themselves.

See: "Flights between China and Panama"

The fact that Panama is becoming a hub for air connections with the Asian region does not mean that the tourism industry is prepared to receive the type of tourist which has characteristics that are very different from the tourists that Panama and Central America are used to receiving.

Prensa.com reports that "...According to representatives from travel agencies in Panama, Chinese tourists are still discovering Asian countries and are venturing into European countries such as France and Italy, but attracted by luxury brands. According to official data, 54% of Chinese, who visit the French capital more than British and Americans, intend to go back to Paris within two years, compared to 71% of other nationalities."

"... Another characteristic of Chinese tourists is that they prefer to stay in three and four star hotels, especially those that offer free internet."

"... Beyond being a center for air connections for the Asian market, Panama must work on a plan to attract Chinese tourists, who at the moment are not interested in beach tourism or ecotourism, which are the country's strong points, said Ernesto Orillac, president of the Panamanian Association of Tourism Operators."

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Will_Chinese_Tourists_Come

[TwoSailors]

Oh, you bet they will come! Their very strong middle-class has money to burn. Watch and see real estate prices climb like crazy within the next 5 years.

Edited November 25, 2017 by TwoSailors

[Moderator_02]

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Air China will travel to Panama

14-January-2018

Executives of the Chinese airline, Air China visited Tocumen International Airport recently to make preparations for the inauguration of the first direct flight between Beijing and the Panamanian capital that will begin in March 2018.

The airline delegation had a meeting with the General Manager of the Tocumen International Airport, Carlos Duboy, as well as with companies that supply fuel, help planes on the ground, those that provide food and drinks, explained a press release of that terminal.

 

“Air China has said in several occasions that will open their regional offices in Panama and will begin its hiring process soon, generating more employment for Panamanians in one of the main airlines in Asia,” explained the press release.

There will be flights twice a week between Beijing and Panama, with a technical stopover in Houston (south of the United States) and will have an approximate duration of 16 hours and 30 minutes.

The Asian airline will use for these direct flights Boeing 777-300ER airplanes, which have a capacity to transport 380 passengers.

Air China will fly twice a week to Panama.

The air connection was announced last November during the visit to China of the Panamanian president, Juan Carlos Varela, who signed with his Chinese counterpart o, Xi Jinping, a total of 19 cooperation agreements, among them it was one about civil air transport.

The Panamanian government expects that Panama will become the main air point for China in Latin America, because Tocumen receives around 5,900 weekly flights and has connection with 85 cities and over thirty countries in America and Europe.

China is currently the second most important user of the Panama Canal, after the United States, and the first supplier of the Colon Free Zone, located in the Panamanian Caribbean.

 

https://www.thevisitorpanama.com/2018/01/air-china-will-travel-panama/

[Uncle Doug]

I will be curious to see  what the airfare to Houston only will be.

[Keith Woolford]

Doesn’t a “technical stopover” in Houston just indicate refueling ?

[Bud]

6 hours ago, Keith Woolford said:

“technical stopover”

I have heard that term used only one other time. It meant a refueling stop, and no planing or deplaning back then. Is that the inference here?

[Keith Woolford]

Yes. 

[Uncle Doug]

It seems odd to me that Houston would be selected for a fuel only stop. A west coast city would shorten the overall flight time, I think. 

[Marcelyn]

Yes, but.........Houston is oil and China is interested in and needs more oil. The Chinese seem to be long term planners and usually have a reason behind their activities IMO. Let’s wait and watch for upcoming events.

[Uncle Doug]

They had better pack the plane completely full of fuel in Houston. That particular model of aircraft has a maximum range of 7,370 nautical miles, and it is 7,217 miles from Houston to Beijing.

[TwoSailors]

Maybe they plan on adding solar panels to the top of the plane?  Maybe Elon Musk can give them a deal?

[Keith Woolford]

4 hours ago, Uncle Doug said:

They had better pack the plane completely full of fuel in Houston. That particular model of aircraft has a maximum range of 7,370 nautical miles, and it is 7,217 miles from Houston to Beijing.

If the pilots have to throttle back to save fuel it could really be a slow boat to China.

I’m betting the U.S. is only granting Air China ?? a license to refuel, and they’re specifying where that refueling is to take place.

 

Edited February 16, 2018 by Keith Woolford

[Jim Bondoux]

I'm guessing that a "technical stop" will work better for the link, if that means that no visas will be required of passengers. Visas are required for all transit passengers in the US, even if they are just making a rapid connection. The time, cost, and uncertainty of US visas for citizens of the PRC and for citizens of Panama who are not going to visit the US would certainly impair the market opportunity for those flights.

[Bud]

17 minutes ago, Jim Bondoux said:

I'm guessing that a "technical stop" will work better for the link, if that means that no visas will be required of passengers. Visas are required for all transit passengers in the US, even if they are just making a rapid connection. The time, cost, and uncertainty of US visas for citizens of the PRC and for citizens of Panama who are not going to visit the US would certainly impair the market opportunity for those flights.

Good points. Thanks for posting.

[Brundageba]

19 hours ago, Keith Woolford said:

If the pilots have to throttle back to save fuel it could really be a slow boat to China.

I’m betting the U.S. is only granting Air China ?? a license to refuel, and they’re specifying where that refueling is to take place.

 

That particular model of aircraft has a maximum range of 7,370 nautical miles, and it is 7,217 miles from Houston to Beijing.

I'm amazing a head wind.....yeiks.     ( of course wind can't help but be on my mind lately)  Anyway, that seems like it's cutting it close.

[Uncle Doug]

1 hour ago, Brundageba said:

 Anyway, that seems like it's cutting it close.

It's way too close. Dodge storms or have to circle the airport once, and it's a fuel emergency.  Either the specifications I found are inaccurate, or they'll do something more reasonable like refueling in Honolulu. 

Edited February 16, 2018 by Uncle Doug

[Moderator_02]

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Panama “most popular” at China travel show

Posted on March 2, 2018 in Panama

 

AWARD for Panama

Post Views: 151

 

PANAMA’S Tourism Authority and local travel operators are looking for a surge of Chinese visitors following The Guangzho, International Travel Fair in Canton, where  Panama was identified as the  “most popular destination”.

Tourism Minister, Gustavo Him, and Panama’s Ambassador to  China, Francisco Carlo Escobar, received the award on behalf of the Panamanian Government.

Panama had the largest pavilion and was supported by  9 private companies (tour operators and hotels), at the fair showcasing  53 countries.

“Panama, has what the Chinese market is  looking for: folklore, history, nature, gastronomy, and one of the most important engineering works in the world: The Canal said Him

The ambassador of Panama said that the the inauguration of the first Air China  flight in March will facilitate multi-destination tourism, taking advantage of our connectivity.

He stressed that the approved destination status granted to Panama “is proof of our extensive cooperation with the Chinese people and a lasting friendship.”

He said that Chinese citizens with valid visas from the United States, Australia and Canada can enter Panamanian territory. “This measure is applied by other countries in the region for the opportunity to develop multi-destination packages with operating companies in the area,” said the ambassador.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/travel/panama-2/panama-popular-china-travel-show

[Moderator_02]

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Air China to Add New Beijing – Panama City Route via Houston

Aero Icarus

March 26

15:00 2018

by Zvonimir Tolj 0 Comments

 

MIAMI — Air China announced that it will launch a new service from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) via Houston’s George Bush International Airport (IAH), beginning on April 5, 2018.

On November 27, 2017, the airline’s President, Cai Jian Jiang shared its plans for this new operation during Juan Carlos Valera’s presidential visit to the Chinese state.

Outbound flights will take place on Thursdays and Sundays under flight number CA885. The departure from PEK is scheduled at 7:40 a.m., arriving in IAH at 8:20 a.m. the same day. Then, it will leave IAH at 10:50 a.m. and land in PTY at 2:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, inbound flights will occur also on Thursdays and Sundays. Return flight CA886 leaves PTY at 4:30 p.m., to land in IAH at 8:15 p.m. On the next day, the schedule continues departing IAH at 1:00 a.m. and arriving in PEK at 4:50 a.m. the third day (All times above are local times).

The flag carrier will manage the Beijing–Houston–Panama City route with a Boeing 777-300ER.

Air China Boeing 777-300ERs at Los Angeles International Airport. (Credits: Nicolas Bernier)

Likewise, the widebody aircraft will be equipped with fully-reclinable seats along with a central bar area in its First and Business Class cabins. Though passengers in all travel classes will enjoy personal inflight entertainment system and power outlets.

In addition, the Boeing aircraft will highlight LED mood lightning and wheelchair-accessible lavatories in order to ensure a comfortable journey for all customers.

According to the flag carrier, this new operation will not only promote exchanges between both cities but with neighbor regions; therefore, offering passengers a greater range of options.

Back in June 2017, the two countries signed the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Panama. Thereby, this diplomatic relations establishment supports a relationship that dates back over 160 years into a whole new era.

Moreover, Air China expects to continue improving transportation connections between China and Panama, deepening bilateral trade, investment, maritime, education, tourism cooperation, among others.

On the other side, the Beijing-based carrier guarantees it has been working, in the recent years, to expand Beijing into a major airport hub with a global reach.

Air China offers over 200 flights per week to 12 destinations in the Americas, featuring New York’s Newark Airport and John F. Kennedy Airport; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose, California; Hawaii; Vancouver, and Montreal, Canada; Havana, Cuba; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Furthermore, it manages a fleet size of 400 aircraft as of March 2018. It’s expecting to take delivery of additional 170 airplanes, including additional 13 Airbus A320-200, 30 A320neo, six A330-300, 10 A350-900, 54 Boeing 737-800, 36 Boeing 737 MAX 8, one Boeing 787-9, and 20 brand new Comac C919.

 

https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/air-china-to-add-new-beijing-panama-route/

[Moderator_02]

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Tourism: The Chinese Tourists Panama is Waiting for

It is estimated that about 40,000 tourists will come from the Asian country, and in 2019 this figure could rise to 200,000.

Monday, April 9, 2018

The arrival of Air China's first flight to Tocumen represents a new opportunity for tourism entrepreneurs in Panama to reactivate the sector and increase hotel occupancy, which has not exceeded 50% in recent years.

See also: "Getting Ready to Receive Chinese Tourists"

Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that "...To date, some 20,000 Chinese visitors have visited the country, but it is expected that this figure will double at the end of the year. Meanwhile, for 2019 the forecasts are higher and the arrival of about 200 thousand tourists from Asia is expected."

"... The Minister of Tourism, Gustavo Him, stated that a flight takes about two years to plan, however, with Air China it was done in only four months."

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Tourism_The_Chinese_Tourists_Panama_is_Waiting_for

[Moderator_02]

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Requirements for Hosting Chinese Tourists

Panamanian tour operators interested in offering services in China must have a minimum of 5 years experience in handling international groups.

Monday, April 16, 2018

From a statement issued by the Tourism Authority of Panama:

April 16, 2018 An information meeting with tour operators interested in venturing into the Chinese tourism market was held by the Department of Tourism Companies and Activities of the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP). 

Some 47 companies with type A licenses (tour operators), with the seal of quality issued by the ATP, participated in this event.  

See also "Tourism: The Chinese Tourists Panama is Waiting for"

The ATP explained the requirements that the government of the People's Republic of China has requested before starting tourist activities with other nations, following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, among which are: being duly registered in ATP, having a minimum experience of five years in management of international groups, guides with suitability, safe transport and insurance policy, which must be maintained during the entire time the agency is dedicated to the activity.

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Requirements_for_Hosting_Chinese_Tourists

[Moderator_02]

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Interest in Bringing In Chinese Tourists

Fifty seven travel agencies and Panamanian tour operators submitted their applications to the ATP to be included in a list of companies authorized to do business in China.

Friday, June 15, 2018

The requests that were received by the Tourism Authority were sent to the Panamanian Foreign Ministry, so that these in turn can be sent to the Chinese authorities. This means that all that remains is for the Asian country to grant approval so that these tourism businesses can start to negotiate with Chinese wholesalers.

For his part, Gustavo Him, administrator of the ATP, told Prensa.com that " ... they are waiting for the list of Chinese companies that are interested in offering packages to Panama."

In relation to the expectations of entrepreneurs in the sector, Ernesto Orillac, president of the Panamanian Association of Tourism Operators, explained that " ... first the corporate market will be strengthened, since there are Chinese companies that are investing in Panama, and in the medium and long term we will see groups of tourists arriving in the country."

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Interest_in_Bringing_In_Chinese_Tourists

[Moderator_02]

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Panama will prepare for the arrival of Chinese tourists with workshops

Tue, 07/17/2018 - 18:46

Companies and institutions linked to tourism will be prepared in the first seminar - specialized workshop "Preparing Panama for Chinese tourism", with the objective of providing a high quality service before the arrival of that market to the country, informed today the Tourism of Panama (ATP).

The workshops, which will begin on August 14, will be divided into two sessions, the first for employees of the private sector, and the second for institutional staff working in airports, the National Customs Authority, the National Migration Service and the Tourism Police, the entity explained in a statement.

"The phenomenon of Chinese tourism is relatively new in our country, due to the attention of this kind of tourists, many with purchasing power, it is important that the staff that will be responsible for providing services know their culture, what we see as normal, is different for them," said Panama's promoter in the Chinese market, Sandra Chang.

Chang said that as soon as the government of the People's Republic of China validates the list of Chinese and Panamanian tour operators that will start commercial relations, tourists from the Asian nation would begin to arrive.

Among the topics that will be addressed in the workshop are: The essence of being Chinese," "Management of body language," "Main obstacles in intercultural communication with Chinese tourists," "Basic rules of etiquette of dealing with Chinese tourists" and "Development of China and its impact on the behavior of its citizen".

The first inductions will take place at the Atlantic Pacific Convention Center (Atlapa), in the Panamanian capital free of charge for tour operators, travel agencies and officials who have first contact with tourists.

Panama and China established diplomatic ties in June 2017, to the detriment of Taiwan, which has given a great impetus to the already fluid bilateral trade relations.

Panama has high expectations with Chinese tourism, and the country's authorities have said they expect the number of visitors from that nation to double with the direct flight between Beijing and Panama City, operated since April 5 by the state Air China frequently Thursday and Sunday.

President Juan Carlos Varela said on March 19 that in 2017 only 22,000 Chinese tourists arrived in the country, and that the goal that his Government has proposed is that this figure will rise to 50,000 this year and to 150,000 in 2019.

According to the World Tourism Organization, China is the largest tourist market in the world and is ranked among the five countries with the highest rate of expenditure, in addition, trips abroad have increased 270 percent more and it is forecast that by 2020 reach 200 million departures.

 

http://www.panamatoday.com/panama/panama-will-prepare-arrival-chinese-tourists-workshops-7341

[Moderator_02]

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Panama may bring a group of Chinese tourists as of August 15

Mon, 08/13/2018 - 16:14

After nine months of waiting, China authorized that as of August 15, a total of 64 Panamanian companies will be able to sell travel packages to groups of Chinese tourists, handled by 4,445 firms of the Asian giant, the Tourism Authority of Panama informed today. (ATP).

Classified as type A tour operators, the list of companies is prepared by the ATP and is the only one that the government of China will recognize to carry out commercial activity in that country, said a statement from the official entity.

"The foregoing was announced by the Chinese government in a letter sent by the Ministry of Culture of Tourism, through which the status of Panama was also reiterated as 'Approved Tourist Destination'", achieved during last November’s visit of President Juan Carlos Varela to China, he explained.

In June 2017, Panama established diplomatic relations with China, to the detriment of Taiwan, which the Asian power considers a rebel province.

"The group trips of Chinese tourists to Panamanian soil according to the administrator of the ATP, Gustavo Him, will be carried out in common agreement between the authorized Chinese and Panamanian companies."

The Panamanian companies "will be responsible for preparing packages that will include the attractions that you would like to know about our country to travelers that will come from the Asian giant," the source said.

The Chinese tourist will come with his translator guide, who will be accompanied by a Panamanian guide certified and registered in the ATP.

Him said that "there is the tourist resource, hotel infrastructures, historical sites in the capital city and in the interior of the country, in addition, the recent implementation of stamped visas for Chinese citizens and the beginning in March of this year of direct flights from Air China , are incentives in favor to attract the arrival of Asian tourists."

The ATP - he added - will open the spaces so that Chinese and Panamanian companies can connect.

"The growth of Chinese tourism is going to be exponential and interesting, because they will enjoy and learn from the Panamanian culture," he said.

For its part, the director of Tourism Investments of the ATP, Gina Valderrama, explained that China will only use the list sent by Panama, following up on the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding.

This document established that, among other things, Panamanian companies must be registered in the ATP, have a minimum of five years experience in handling international groups, guides with suitability, transportation and insurance policy, which must remain in force throughout the time that the agency maintain the business relationship.

Valderrama explained that the aplication of five years mínimum experienced was a requirement left to enter the list, tourism companies with type A license that applied to enter the Tourism Quality Certification System in Panama (SCCT) or the Integrated Central American Quality System and Tourism Sustainability (SICCS) in the Tourism Sustainability Standard.

But, Valderrama warned, fulfilling all these requirements is the only way to stay on the list. The Chinese government authorized 4,445 of its companies to negotiate with their counterparts in Panama, he said.

He indicated that the National Tourism Agency of China (CNTA) will make a quarterly measurement of the degree of satisfaction of its nationals, and that the list of Panamanian companies could be increased if they meet the established requirements.

"Panama is a new destination for them (China) and it is important to know the particularity of this market and understand its culture and needs", highlighted Valderrama.

 

http://www.panamatoday.com/panama/panama-may-bring-group-chinese-tourists-august-15-7548