Airbnb is looking to change the legislation that currently allows the platform to only cover the interior of the country. Stating that its growth will attract more tourists and visitors to the country.
There is currently a prohibition of short accommodations such as the Airbnb model in Panama City. Airbnb’s General Manager of Public Policies for Central America and the Caribbean, Carlos Muñoz, stated that by eliminating the current prohibition, the company will be in a much better position to strongly invest in Panama with promotional and tourist campaigns.
In 2018, the platform attracted more than 90,000 thousand guests to Panama and generated more than 5,300 advertisements to promote lodging and tourism locations in the country.
Carlos Muñoz also stated that the company wants to be partnered with country so that through the platform more tourists can reach Panama. Stating that they are not a direct competition to hotels as the tourists using Airbnb are looking for new, authentic and different experiences.
According to Airbnb’s statistics, 67% of the guests of the platform are between 30 and 59 years old and 61% of visitors come from North America. While around 30,000 Panamanians have used the platform on their trips abroad.
The most popular destinations in Panama via Airbnb are Bocas del Toro, Río Hato, Boquete, Chiriquí and Gorgona beach.
The company is also willing to reach an agreement with the Panamanian government to pay taxes to the General Directorate of Revenue and in return contribute even more to the local economy.
The platform already has tax agreements in more than 400 jurisdictions.
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