Tour Operator News

Cascada Expeditions launches new 12 day “Big Cats of Latin America” tour 

Cascada Expeditions has introduced a new 12 day “Big Cats of Latin America” tour combining the best of the wildlife of Patagonia and Brazil's Pantanal region.

The tour begins in Torres Del Paine to track and photograph pumas across the stunning landscape of the National Park and admire the views of the snow-capped peaks of the Grey Glacier whilst learning about the flora and fauna of the area. Highlights of the trip also include an overnight stay and tour of Santiago de Chile and Rio de Janeiro where travellers will visit Sugar Loaf Mountain and the bustling districts of Santa Teresa and Corcovado. The holiday will end by travelling to the Brazilian Pantanal where guests will spend three days searching for wildlife, hiking, canoeing and horseback riding.  The tour is priced from £7,108 per person excluding international flights. www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/12-Day-Big-Cats-Latin-America-Wildlife-Adventure?sku=SUD080PD

Galapagos Conservation Trust announces 2017 ecotourism cruise  

The Galapagos Conservation Trust in conjunction with award winning travel agency Travel Matters and tour operator Go Barefoot will launch an eight-day cruise to the Galapagos Islands in May 2017. The cruise will raise awareness of the charity's efforts and the importance of ecotourism to protect the ecosystem and wildlife of the Galapagos. Visitors joining the cruise will be given the opportunity to discover the largest populated sea lion colony on Masquera Islet, visit Arnaldo Tupiza Turtle Breeding Centre on Isabela Island and admire marine iguanas, sea lions and flightless Cormorants. Prices of the cruise start at £4,500 per person in a double cabin excluding flights.

www.travelmatters.co.uk/make-travel-matter/2017-galapagos-conservation-trust-supporter-cruise/

Hotel News

Grand Velas Los Cabos opens in Mexico  

In November 2016, luxury resort the Grand Velas Los Cabos will open in Baja California in Mexico. The hotel is located on the corridor extending from Los Cabos to San Jose Cabo offering enchanting views facing the merging waters of the Sea of Cortez and the Mexican Pacific. The all-inclusive beachfront property will feature 36 ocean view suites, an award winning spa, three infinity pools and a delicious selection of world class restaurants. One night at the hotel is priced from £577 per person. www.loscabos.grandvelas.com  

Casa Republica opens for business in Lima, Peru 

A brand new boutique hotel called Casa Republica has opened in the buzzing district of Barranco, Lima, Peru. The 17 room hotel, located in a magnificent 1920s mansion is designed for travellers seeking a more authentic and intimate accommodation option and aims to offer a true sense of place in contrast to larger chain properties. One night in a double room is priced from £110 based on two people sharing. Bookable through Chimu Adventures: www.chimuadventures.co.uk

New hotel openings in Brazil

Tutabel Hotel

The Tutabel hotel has opened in the trendy town of Trancoso a small bay hemmed in by tropical forests and white sandy beaches located on Brazil's Atlantic Coast south of Porto Seguro. This stunning eight bedroom hotel was once the holiday home of TV mogul Roberto Marinho and has a swimming pool, spa and a restaurant. The property is spread across beautiful gardens and is conveniently situated on a luxurious private beach making it an idyllic location for couples or families to enjoy a holiday with panoramic views of the ocean. www.lastfrontiers.com/hotels/brazil/porto-seguro-to-trancoso/tutabel

Vila da Santa

The sleepy fisherman's village of Buzios located to the east of Rio de Janeiro on a jutting peninsula scalloped by 17 beaches has seen the opening of Vila da Santa in the colonial heart of the town. This charming hotel is set between two spectacular beaches and offers breathtaking views over the ocean. The hotel boasts nineteen rooms, stylishly decorated with terracotta floor tiles giving them a Mediterranean style. www.lastfrontiers.com/hotels/brazil/buzios/vila-da-santa

Villa Amazonia

In Manaus, Brazilian Amazon's largest city, the new Villa Amazonia has just opened a block away from Sao Sebastiao square. This 30 bedroom boutique hotel has been built from a former rubber-planter's house and boasts spacious sitting areas, a restaurant and an infinity pool. www.lastfrontiers.com/hotels/brazil/manaus/villa-amazonia

All hotels can be booked through Last Frontiers here: www.lastfrontiers.com

Airline News

Aeromexico launches daily flight from London Heathrow to Mexico City

From April 2017, Aeromexico will introduce a new direct daily flight flying from London Heathrow to Mexico City. Flight time is approximately 11 and a half hours and return flights in economy are priced from £479. www.aeromexico.com

Avianca partners with National Express

Colombian airline Avianca has partnered with National Express and now offers its passengers on flights to and from London Heathrow the possibility to connect with over 25 destinations in England and Wales such as Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge and many more. The new service expands Avianca's network of connections within the UK and is offered in addition to the traditional connections with other airlines, which will continue to be offered as usual. The service can be booked directly on the Avianca website: www.avianca.com

Aeromexico brings live sports and news to its international fleet

Aeromexico in partnership with Panasonic Avionics has launched a new service onto its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircrafts allowing passengers to enjoy live television on board.

The new service will initially offer two channels – Sport 24 for live sporting action from around the world, and CNN International. The service will be available to passengers from both the seatback inflight entertainment and communications system and on own personal devices. www.aeromexico.com

Other News

Brazil embraces accessible tourism ahead of the 2016 Paralympic Games 

Ahead of the launch of the Rio Paralympics which begin on September 7th,  the Brazilian Government has enhanced accessible tourism to improve travel options for tourists with disabilities with a number of projects.

In Pernambuco, the Tourism Board (EMPETUR) has launched a project called 'Beach without Barriers on the beaches for members of the public with reduced mobility. This involves “amphibious” wheelchairs, removable mats for access to the sand and assistance from qualified professions. The 'Beaches without Barriers' are located across five Pernambuco beaches, including tourist favourite South Eastern Beach and Fernando de Noronha.  

The Brazilian Tourist Board has also launched a range of projects based on sensory experiences for visually impaired tourists. The gallery at Sao Paulo's Pinacoteca Museum allows visitors to touch bronze sculptures and appreciate the size, shape, texture and aesthetic diversity of the artistic works. The Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro invites visitors to appreciate the aromas and textures of basil, rosemary, sage and mint seedling, specially designed to stimulate senses.  visitbrasil.com

Conservation area recognised for the first time in Tambopata, Peru 

A privately owned conservation area known as “Ebio Kiabamene” located in an indigenous community in Madre de Dios in south eastern Peru, has been officially recognised by the Peruvian Ministry of the Environment. The conservation area is not only the largest in the Madre de Dios region but also the first area of private conservation to be recognised in the territory of a native community in Madre de Dios and the second nationally. The area is made up of 20 kilometres of rainforest home to 632 species of birds, 1200 butterflies, 103 mammals and many more.  By recognising the conservation area, the Peruvian Ministry hopes to preserve the subtropical rainforest and the biodiversity whilst seeking to maintain the ecological processes in the basin of the Tambopata River. www.PeruNature.com

Panama – Upcoming Gastronomic Destination  

Panama is emerging as a gastronomic destination for the first time will be represented in Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2016 taking place in Mexico City, showcasing the growing interest in Panamanian cuisine. Panama's exceptional food reflects its rich historical influences of Afro Antillean, Amerindian, Chinese, Spanish and other cultures that have played an essential role that makes Panama what it is today. EcoCircuitos Panama organises a number of culinary tours in Panama during which guests are invited to savour a local breakfast, try a fresh ceviche at the local fish market or enjoy Panama's international cuisine in the middle of the city. All of EcoCircuitos tours are tailor made and available for booking here: www.ecocircuitos.com

www.theworlds50best.com/latinamerica/en

-Ends-

The Latin America Travel Association (LATA) – is represented by Lotus.  For editorial and marketing enquiries, please contact Jules Ugo, Kate McWilliams or Lucy Keenan at Lotus– LATAPR@wearelotus.co.uk  0207 953 7470