Central & South America Travel Destination Industry News by Skift

Mexico Tourism Marketing Blitz to Address Safety Concerns After Violence

Dan Peltier, Skift

Mexico's tourism industry has been lucky in the past year as the violence mostly hasn't targeted tourist destinations like Mexico City. But if history is any guide, tourism is often the focus for anyone wanting to cause harm and chaos. We hope we're wrong about this one.

19 hours ago

Brazil Open Skies Deal Is Great But Incomplete Without a Visa Waiver Program

Dan Peltier, Skift

Do travelers care more about cheaper airfares or not having to schlep to a consulate, pay for a visa, and wait weeks or months for it to arrive? Many travel brands would say visa waivers are more important, and many travelers would agree. The U.S. doesn't seem to be in the business lately of making it easier for travelers to visit, visa waiver program aside.

2 months ago

Interview: Argentina Tourism Minister Dreams of Visa Free Travel Across the Region

Rafat Ali, Skift

Argentina is breaking from the past and hopes that its diversity of offerings attracts new types of travelers. The tourism minister comes from the private sector and he's bringing new energy into tourism promotion efforts.

3 months ago

Travel Megatrends 2018: Latin America Will Take Nation Branding to New Extremes

Luke Bujarski , Skift

Latin America’s tourist destinations have excelled at nation branding by creating vibrant and colorful content to entice travelers. In 2018, the region’s tourism offices will get more savvy with their digital marketing efforts as the visitor economy grows in importance.

3 months ago

Venezuela Wants More Tourists Despite Danger and Economic Chaos

Mac Margolis, Bloomberg

It's been a decade-long collapse for Venezuela, and expecting tourists to return any time soon is ridiculous.

6 months ago

Rio de Janeiro’s Neighborhood Tourism Is Taking a Hit From Rising Violence

Renata Brito, Associated Press

Slum tourism has always been a complicated subject: Are rich visitors exploiting or helping the local communities? In Rio de Janeiro, this moral question is becoming secondary to concerns about safety.

6 months ago

Peru Wants Machu Picchu’s Sacred Sister to Attract More Tourists

John Quigley, Bloomberg

It's one thing when New York tries to funnel tourists into lesser-known parts of the city. It will be another to pull that off in the remote, delicate ecosystem that contains Machu Picchu and its Sacred Sister.

6 months ago

Video: Tourism Leaders on Planning to Avoid Overtourism

Hannah Sampson, Skift

Tourism executives from around the world all have unique challenges as they promote their destinations, but they also have a lot in common: They want to avoid the pitfalls of destructive tourism, get a good return on their marketing dollars, and attract high-spending visitors.

7 months ago

Turkey and Venezuela Agree to Increased Flights and Tourism

Joseph Ataman, Associated Press

We see it all over the world these days: When countries have difficulties with their traditional allies, they turn elsewhere. It's a smart move by Turkey and Venezuela to seek closer ties, although both governments are pariahs right now.

8 months ago

Despegar Hints at Its Latin American Travel Strategy After Successful IPO

Sean O'Neill, Skift

With its IPO on Wednesday, Despegar became the world's seventh-largest online travel company by market cap. Its bosses talk a good game. But its major markets may have near-term hiccups ahead.

8 months ago

Cruise Passengers Are Booking Earlier Than Ever. Is That a Good Thing?

Hannah Sampson, Skift

Cruise companies are finally seeing the booking behavior they desired as more passengers reserve their places earlier. But observers wonder if selling inventory too far in advance means cruise lines are leaving money on the table.

9 months ago

The Luxury Cruise Lines Sailing the Waters of the Amazon

Laura Powell, Skift

As European rivers become overcrowded, luxury travelers are looking to escape the masses. They are finding the isolation they seek in Peru's Amazon region.

10 months ago