HOW TO SELL VENEZUELA
The Lost World
BY ANDY HOSKINS Often in the news courtesy of its outspoken president, Hugo Chavez, Venezuela is also rightly recognised for its dramatic and diverse landscapes – and now its profile as a tourism destination for UK travellers is also on the rise. Not only does the mighty Andes mountain range rise in Venezuela, but the country is also home to a Caribbean coastline, the lush plains of Los Llanos, the Orinoco river system, the unusual tabletop mountains of the Gran Sabana, and a slice of the Amazon rainforest. Throw in Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall and it's little wonder the country provided Arthur Conan Doyle with the inspiration for his novel, The Lost World. The tourism infrastructure is still
relatively limited in Venezuela, with accommodation beyond the large cities often falling into the ‘cheap and cheerful’ bracket, although Margarita Island is well set up for sun-seeking beach-lovers. Transport options can be limited, while exceptionally heavy rains late last year worsened the condition of many minor roads around the country. Even Angel Falls is only accessible by boat, so
General Information TIME ZONE: GMT-4.5hrs CURRENCY: Bolivar
VISA: UK citizens do not need a visa in advance, but will be issued with a 90-day Tourist Card on arrival
CLIMATE: Venezuela’s rainy seasons runs from May to November.
GETTING THERE: Thanks to its location in northeastern South America, Venezuela has one of the shortest flight times of countries across the continent. Air Europa flies to Caracas from London Gatwick via Madrid; Air France operates via Paris Charles de Gaulle, Iberia via Madrid, TAP via Lisbon and Lufthansa via Frankfurt. There are also options with North American carriers via their respective hubs.
CONTACT:
www.venetur.gob.ve
VENEZUELA
Venezuela is best recommended to clients with a sense of adventure and a willingness to get off the beaten track. Caracas, the capital, can be daunting
for the first-time visitor although few fail to be impressed by the dramatic mountain vistas and privileged location. Squeezed into a green valley not far
inland from the sea, the city was the birth place of Simon Bolivar – the man behind South America’s independence from Spain – and many monuments, museums and public spaces bear his name. In the west of Venezuela and in the
foothills of the Andes lies Merida, the country’s second biggest city. Just eight miles from the 5,000 metre-high Pico Bolivar, the city serves as the hub for all manner of soft-adventure activities. There’s also the option of hopping on
the world’s longest and highest cable car system, which takes passengers all the way from Merida high up into the Andes. The city is also a starting point for
wildlife-themed tours heading into Los Llanos, an area rich in wildlife – think crocodiles, caiman, armadillos, anaconda and dolphins – around the watershed of the Orinoco river. Venezuela’s headline attraction, though,
is the towering Angel Falls, usually visited by light aircaft or a combination of
VENEZUELA The Front Line...
• “Venezuela is a beautiful country. Whilst the country has various icons associated with it such as Angel Falls and The Lost World, it is important to let the customer understand not just what there is to see but to let them know the experience and the journey they will have in order to see them. Let clients know that Venezuela is one of those very unique destinations in the world that offers something very adventurous, such as a visit to Angel Falls, as well as the opportunity to relax on some stunning Caribbean islands such as the Los Roques archipelago.
"If concerns on safety come up, let the clients know that by booking through a tour operator such as W&O Latin America they will be looked after from start to finish” SIMON FORSTER, Western & Oriental
motorised canoe and trekking. Set in Canaima National Park in the remote Gran Sabana region of Venezuela’s southeast, the waterfalls tumble off one of the many flat-topped mountains – known as tepuis – jutting out of the green lowlands. In contrast to the sparsely populated
south, the Caribbean island of Margarita is Venezuela’s number one beach destination and is just a short flight from Caracas. Also at home in the warm waters of the Caribbean is Los Roques National Park, an idyllic collection of over 300 small islands and coral reefs, presenting a more natural beach break than comparatively developed and expensive Margarita.
Where To Book It SUNVIL TRAVELLER
020 8758 4774;
www.sunvil.co.uk The operator’s 10-night Essential Venezuela itinerary visits Caracas, Merida, Lake Mucubaji, Las Llanos and Canaima National Park. It is priced from £2,814pp and includes transfers, excursions, some meals and international flights with Lufthansa, via Frankfurt.
Main picture: exploring Venezuela's fascinating Los Llanos region by boat
www.sellinglonghaul.com • October 2011 37
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