Central & South America Travel Destination Industry News by Skift

Norwegian Air Is Jumping Into Argentina’s Economic Fray With $18 Plane Tickets

Carolina Millan and Jorgelina do Rosario, Bloomberg

Norwegian Air is betting that its low-cost model can thrive amid Argentina's economic challenges. Will the long-term vision be enough to carry it through any short-term turbulence?

2 weeks ago

Are Investors Ready to Forgive U.S. Regional Airlines?

Brian Sumers, Skift

U.S. bankruptcy law is more forgiving than in many countries, which is why many airlines have had multiple iterations. Now, eight years after filing for bankruptcy, Mesa Air Group again wants to be traded on public markets. Assuming it goes forward with an IPO, it'll be interesting to see if investors return.

2 months ago

Honduras Is Trying To Reach a Tourism Record Despite Recent Violence

Michael McDonald, Bloomberg

The number of murders have dropped and post-election riots are in the past. But recent headlines of violent gangs and migrants fleeing the country for the U.S. border aren't helping Honduras make the case that tourists should visit.

4 months ago

Private Islands Are Oasis for Luxury Travelers in an Over-Connected World

Mark Ellwood, Bloomberg

Renting out private islands isn't something that just started happening, but in a world where it's harder to unplug, having an island to yourself at least gives the illusion of seclusion.

4 months ago

How These Currency Fluctuations Will Boost Tourism This Summer

Ben Bartenstein, Bloomberg

It's the upside to currency fluctuations. While the local economies suffer, for the most part, when the value of the currency drops, it does make those locations more attractive to foreign travelers because of exchange rates. Here's hoping for a robust summer vacation season.

4 months ago

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.

4 months 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.

6 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.

7 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.

7 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.

10 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.

10 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.

10 months ago