Departures
FLYING TO...
...Latin America
AN AMERICAN entrepreneur specialising in Latin America once likened doing business in the region to getting married in a formal, old-fashioned way, writes Colin Ellson. “First there’s a period of courtship,” he said.
“If the two of you can manage to fall in love, negotiations will then take on a momentum of their own. If you don’t take the time and effort for romance, the wedding will probably be called off and the business will go to a more patient competitor.” In the same way as couples are advised to
take a close look at prospective in-laws as a guide to how their partners will develop, so, perhaps, should companies considering the Latin American markets take time to consider what exactly they are taking on. Formerly part of the Spanish and Portuguese empires, the region comprises more than 20 nations, and has a combined population of over 565million. That might seem daunting, but the good news is that the Latin American countries have become far more welcoming to foreign business of late, liberalising their economies and offering juicy tax incentives to overseas investors.
As examples of the diverse opportunities
up for grabs, earlier this year, the Argentine government was looking for help to upgrade its national broadband internet; Chile was seeking a leading British shoe company to participate in an exhibition; and Colombia needed technical assistance to upgrade its criminal justice system. With direct flights from the UK to a range
of destinations, plus a variety of viable connections, it could be time for UK plc to tie the knot down Latin America way.
Argentina Buenos Aires The capital of Argentina is the country’s political, financial, industrial and commercial hub, and its port one of the busiest on South America’s long coastline. British Airways flies from London Heathrow
to Buenos Aires seven times a week, with Air Europa from London Gatwick, via Madrid, flying daily. From Madrid, Iberia offers 14 flights a week, Aerolineas Argentinas seven, plus four a week ex-Rome. Other direct services from continental Europe include
seven flights a week from Paris Charles de Gaulle with Air France, while Lufthansa has six departures a week out of Frankfurt. Air Canada flies from Toronto, Delta from Atlanta, American Airlines out of Dallas/Fort Worth, New York JFK and Miami, and United/ Continental from Houston and Washington.
Cordoba Cordoba is Argentina’s second city and is located in the centre of the country. It has a versatile industrial base which includes the manufacturing of motor vehicles, textiles, chemicals, software and electronics. With no direct flights from the UK to Cordoba, the best alternative is to fly from Madrid, with Iberia operating three times a week between the destinations.
Brazil Brasilia A prototype for urban planning, Brasilia has been the national capital since 1960. The emphasis in the economy is on government, communications, banking and legal services. There are no services from the UK or
68 I THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE
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