Latin America
A TOE IN THE WATER
Sell Latin America to your clients once and you can be sure they’ll be back for more. Andy Hoskins suggests where to start
adventurous types but in the last decade or so it has moved towards the tourism mainstream and is now one of the few regions in the world to consistently post positive growth in visitor arrivals. Tourism infrastructure, access and
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awareness of what the region has to offer have all moved on significantly in recent years, but many people are still to come round to the idea of a holiday in Latin America. However, common concerns such as different languages, the quality of accommodation and security can all be easily dispelled, and the lure of the region’s iconic attractions and destinations should help seal the deal.
atin America has long been a favourite destination for backpackers and more
Peru, Brazil and Mexico are the
region’s top three markets thanks in part to monuments such as the Inca fortress of Peru, Rio de Janeiro’s Christ Redeemer statue, and Mexico’s Mayan temple of Chichen Itza, all three of them among the New 7 Wonders of the World. Mexico and Brazil are particularly versatile thanks to their wealth of excellent beaches and resort- style accommodation, plus the bonus of direct flights from the UK, while the latter is also home to the towering Iguazu Falls and the bulk of the Amazon rainforest, both also recently named among the New 7 Wonders of Nature. A typical itinerary for the first-time visitor to Brazil includes a few days to explore vibrant Rio de Janeiro before
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heading off to the Iguazu Falls and then on to either a comfortable jungle lodge in the Amazon or to a beach resort in the northeast of the country. Mexico offers one of the easiest
introductions to Latin America, though whether a week’s stay at an all-inclusive hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya can be considered a truly authentic visit is another matter. Nevertheless, historic Mayan sites such as Tulum and Chichen Itza make good day trips from the region, though colonial towns and cities such as Merida and Oaxaca, or the Copper Canyon train journey, will need to be incorporated in longer itineraries. Almost every first-time visitor to Peru
will visit Machu Picchu on its lofty perch in the Sacred Valley – via either the
famous Inca Trail trek or by train – as well as spending a few days in pretty Cusco with its cobbled streets and colonial churches and plazas. One or other of Lake Titicaca, the Colca Canyon, and the mysterious Nazca lines normally feature in itineraries. Clients can be reassured that the
three countries have some of the best accommodation across Latin America, from all-inclusive beach resorts and all the big-name brands to trendy boutique hotels, rainforest lodges and beautifully converted colonial buildings. Chile and Argentina also have excellent hotel portfolios and the two countries are often considered the most western nations of the continent, providing further reassurance for those
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