Domestic tourism represents a strategic component for the economic and social development of
countries, particularly in contexts where dependence on international tourism has revealed significant vulnerabilities. In Panama, despite its natural and cultural wealth, domestic tourism has historically been undervalued and scarcely studied, which has limited the formulation of public policies and strategies aimed at strengthening this sector. In this context, the present study aimed to examine the factors that influence Panamanians' participation in domestic tourism, as well as analyze their preferences, motivations, and challenges, with the purpose of generating input that contributes to strengthening the national tourism offering. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach, using a structured questionnaire of 25 questions, administered digitally nationwide. The sample consisted of 300 people, including Panamanians, foreigners, and minors under 18 years of age. For this first stage of the study, the responses of Panamanians were analyzed, considering sociodemographic variables, travel habits, spending levels, perceptions of costs, preferred types of activities, and perceived barriers. The results show that, while there is significant interest in domestic tourism, it is primarily limited by economic factors. High accommodation costs, the perception of high prices for tourism services, and the limited availability of affordable packages are the main barriers to greater participation. Likewise, lack of time, insufficient information about domestic destinations, and deficiencies in infrastructure, promotion, and security negatively influence the decision to travel within the country. Regarding preferences, ecotourism and sun and beach tourism are the most valued modalities across all age groups, reflecting the importance of natural resources in domestic tourism demand. It is concluded that domestic tourism in Panama has high growth potential but requires the implementation of comprehensive strategies that simultaneously address economic factors, accessibility of offerings, infrastructure improvements, and the strengthening of tourism information systems.
