Panama Black Weekend 2025 Boosts Retail with Increased Regional Tourist Spending
Panama City, Panama. – The Panama Black Weekend 2025, organized by the Panamanian Association of Shopping Centers (APACECOM), reported outstanding performance in commercial activity both locally and internationally.
According to data provided by Visa, obtained from a seven-day analysis around the event held from October 3rd to 5th, significant increases were recorded in retail shopping categories compared to the same period of the previous year.
Dynamism in Local and Regional Consumption In the domestic market, the use of Visa cards issued in Panama showed growth of over 20% in the retail sector. Visa data highlight specific behaviors by nationality: visitors from Guatemala led the growth with an increase of over 80%, followed by Costa Ricans with almost 50%, Hondurans with more than 20%, and Ecuadorians with an increase of nearly 5%. This increase reflects a greater willingness to consume by the national population and a constant flow of transactions during the sales week.
Internationally, in-person spending by tourists from the main travel corridors to the country grew by 30%.
Bonny Sánchez, president of APACECOM, emphasized that attracting regional buyers directly and positively impacts the national economy, strengthening the country's image as a preferred commercial destination.
Liz Marie Pareja, General Manager of Visa Panama, Nicaragua, and Belize, highlighted that these results are a consequence of the strategic collaboration between sectors to boost commerce and tourism. The executive stressed that the findings confirm Panama's consolidation as a regional center for high-value consumption experiences.
