August 2014
and services such as building materials, furniture, hotel equipment, as well as construction equipment. Permits for the tax exemption are available until 2020, with the exemption lasting 20 years. The progress of hotel development into the interior seeks to desaturate the tourism industry in Panama City. Of the hotels built in the past six years, 90% of them have been in Panama City, including 25 in 2013. In 2013 Panama City had 17,000 hotel rooms—up from 10,000 in 2010. Permits have already been granted to developments in Chiriqui, Los Santos, Herrera, Bocas del Torro, and Cocle, each outside of the capital city.
Argentina
International arrivals to Argentina reached nearly 5.5 million in 2013, according to the Argentina Tourism Board, which positions the country as the second mostvisited South American destination in terms of inbound tourism, surpassed only by Brazil. Spend by overseas visitors in 2013 generated revenues close to $4.3 billion in the country. 40% of the visitors to Argentina hail from Chile and Brazil. The USA and Europe are the leading sources of visitors from outside of South America.
Mendoza, the Wine Country
Wine tourism in Mendoza is exploding, and more and more wineries now have Englishlanguage tours. Accounting for nearly two-thirds of the country’s wine production, Mendoza Province is a haven for wine lovers. And unlike their counterparts in Napa, Bordeaux, and Tuscany, most Argentine vineyards share recipes and techniques with tourists. On many tours, visitors are encouraged to get up close and personal with barrels, equipment, and grapes. Catering to wine enthusiasts, a handful of five-star hotels have opened in downtown Mendoza, led by the Sheraton Hotel. Argentina is the world’s 5th largest producer of wine. Chile
support the sector in both the national and the international policy agenda. The Open Letter calls on heads of state and government around the world to acknowledge tourism’s key role in delivering more sustained and balanced growth and prioritize the sector higher in national policies in order to maximize its potential.
The Dominican Republic
Hilton Worldwide has announced the opening of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Santo Domingo. The 150 all-suite, full service hotel in Santo Domingo has been newly built and features more than 22,000 square feet of indoor meeting space in the nation’s commercial hub. Embassy Suites welcomes guests to an array of nearby attractions, special introductory rates, and a modern fitness center and swimming pool.
In recognition of tourism as an important vehicle for socioeconomic development, the President Our Spirit: We can run faster than Speedy of Chile, Michelle Gonzalez, we can be in two or three different Bachelet, has ac- places at once, and we are willing to do cepted the World anything legal for our clients. You can find us Tourism Organization/World Travel and popping up at airports, historical and archaeoloTourism Council gical sites, deluxe resorts, charming hotels, golf courses, scenic beaches, and even at the best (UNWTO/WTTC) Open Letter on Tra- restaurants in town. vel and Tourism. We can do the impossible The Government of right away. Miracles may Chile commits to take a little bit longer! 13