LATIN LESSONS —
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Improved infrastructure and advances in sustainable itineraries are fuelling Latin America’s boom in the global tourism arena, says Debbie Ward
W
ith improved access and maturing traveller interest leading to new product, the future is looking bright for Latin America.
Although bookings statistics from Forward
Keys show international travel to Latin America down 0.9% from January to end of July compared to last year, by September forward bookings for August to January 2020 were showing a 1.2% rise. Brazil (LA250) has performed particularly well
this year with a 10.2% year-on-year increase for the first half of 2019. Argentina (LA450) also showed significant growth – up 9.4% year-on-year. Mexico (LA100) saw a 5.5% dip due to a drop in
US arrivals. Increased crime and power cuts have hit Venezuela tourism but operators are returning to Nicaragua (LA460) thanks to an easing of unrest.
TOP: Panama City has new Air Europa flights from Madrid
ABOVE: Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
RIGHT: Nayara Tented Camp, Costa Rica
TOURISM TRENDS “Argentina is a trending destination having seen a surge in visitor numbers, partly down to new flight infrastructure in the country,” says Colin Stewart, chairman of the Latin American Travel Association. “Value-focused carriers are opening Latin America to a new demographic… making travel to the region more affordable,” he adds. Cruise is also “booming” in the region, he says, with new luxury yachts serving the Galapagos, Amazon and Antarctica. Silversea’s butler-service Galapagos expedition ship Silver Origin is among them, making its inaugural voyage in 2020. Panama celebrated its 500th anniversary this
66 WTM OFFICIAL EVENT DAILY 04.11.2019 WHAT’S NEW?
flights Air Europa (CA330) introduced flights from Madrid to Panama and Colombia’s Medellin in June along with Iguazu Falls gateway Puerto Iguazu. Also from Madrid, Iberia has increased flights to Bogota. Norwegian launched a new London to Rio route in March and has upped its Buenos Aires service to daily. Guyana has a new daily New York service with American Airlines this December, to add to the KLM/Trans Guyana Airways Amsterdam route via Suriname launched in September.
hotels Corocora Camp has opened in Colombia’s Los Llanos region with four luxury tents, where guests can spot howler monkeys. The Nayara Tented Camp opens in December in Costa Rica with 18 tents and plunge pools fed by volcanic springs. A spa and a sloth sanctuary will be added in 2020. In Panama, the nine-villa Islas Secas Reserve and Lodge is new, while boutique newcomer Unscripted Belize borders the country’s jaguar preserve and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.
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