COSTA RICA: Argentine Pilots Survive Plane Crash In San Jose

Two Argentine pilots survived when their light aircraft crash landed Friday in a heavily populated area of the capital of Costa Rica, officials said.

The pilots climbed out of the wreckage of the plane after it came down in the Pavas neighborhood of San Jose, in an area full of homes and schools, witnesses and officials said.

The pilots are well, they managed to get out of the plane on their own, said the head of Costa Rica's civil aviation authority, Guillermo Hoppe, speaking at the scene.

It was a complicated situation, the plane lost all power, said Damian Barreira, one of the two pilots, in a video clip shot on a local resident's cell phone and broadcast on news channels.

Hoppe said Argentine authorities had informed him that the men had bought the plane in the United States and were flying it back to their home country in short-distance flights, a journey that had been expected to take a month.

Shortly after taking off from an airfield in San Jose, the plane lost power and the pilots looked for an open space in the residential district to make an emergency landing.

As it came down, the plane hit a large tree which cushioned the impact of the crash.


Tourism Observer

USA: LATAM Airlines Lost A Labradoodle Passenger's Dog

LATAM Airlines has lost a family’s emotional support dog, a labradoodle named Logan, in New York after the pet seemingly failed to board a flight to Paraguay on August 27.

LATAM Airlines based in Chile said that it deeply regrets the situation after the dog belonging to the parents of Connecticut man Jonathan Rolon—disappeared.

The parents had flown out of John F. Kennedy International Airport to Paraguay.

But when they landed, the pooch was nowhere to be seen.

According to Rolon, the airline company informed him the labradoodle never actually boarded the flight due to a ramp issue.

When he contacted the New York airport, Rolon said he was informed that an employee had taken the dog home, where it had then escaped and gone missing

LATAM Airlines Group S.A. is a Chilean airline holding company incorporated under Chilean law and headquartered in Santiago.

It is considered the largest airline in Latin America with subsidiaries in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru.

Chile's LAN Airlines and Brazil's TAM Airlines signed a non-binding agreement on 13 August 2010, a binding agreement on 19 January 2011, and papers to close the merger on 22 June 2012, with TAM Airlines shareholders agreeing to the takeover by LAN Airlines.

Enrique Cueto, former CEO of LAN, is CEO of LATAM; Mauricio Rolim Amaro, formerly vice-chairman of TAM, became LATAM chairman.

The agreement to establish LATAM was approved by Chilean authorities on 21 September 2011, with 11 restrictions.

These include transferring four landing slots at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport to competitors interested in operating flights to Santiago de Chile's Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport.

Renouncing membership to either the Oneworld or Star Alliance airline alliance.

Restricting the increase in capacity on flights between Brazil and Chile; and opening code-share possibilities and fidelity program membership to interested competitors.

On 14 December 2011, Brazilian authorities approved the agreement, imposing similar restrictions as Chilean authorities.

LATAM would have to choose an alliance by August 2012.

Frequencies between Sao Paulo and Santiago de Chile would have to be reduced. At the time TAM had two pairs of slots while LAN had four, LAN had to relinquish two pairs to competitors interested in using them.

On 7 March 2013, LATAM announced its final decision to choose Oneworld as its global airline alliance; as a result TAM left Star Alliance during the second quarter of 2014 to join Oneworld.

In August 2015, it was announced that all LATAM Airlines Group airlines would fully rebrand as LATAM, with one unified livery to be applied on all aircraft by 2018.

The first of these aircraft were repainted or delivered new in a new LATAM livery in April 2016.

LATAM Airlines Group is currently working on the rebranding process, which is expected to be completed by 2019.

Changes are becoming gradually more evident in physical spaces, on aircraft, at business offices, airport service counters, web sites, uniforms among others.

Some changes are already in place, mainly in passenger travel experiences, such as the new cabin interiors which have been incorporated into the fleet, new VIP lounges in Sao Paulo.

Santiago currently open to the public and forming part of the largest network of frequent flyer lounges in the region, and digital platforms such as the onboard entertainment system for mobile devices.

LATAM Airlines shareholder structure is:

- Chile Cueto Group - 27.91%

- Chile Administradoras de Fondos de Pensiones or Chilean Pension Funds - 21%

- Qatar Airways - 10.03%

- Chile Eblen Group - 5.93%

- Chile Bethia Group - 5.5%

- United States American depositary receipts (ADR) - 3.98%

- Brazil Amaro Group - 3%

- Foreign investors - 10.2%

- Others - 12.2%

LATAM Airlines Group is one of the largest airline groups in the world in terms of network connections, with its subsidiaries operating a combined fleet of 315 aircraft providing passenger transport services to 137 destinations in 24 countries.

LATAM Airlines has 18 aircraft providing cargo services to 144 destinations in 29 countries.

LATAM’s main hubs are Santiago de Chile's Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Sao Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport and El Dorado International Airport in Bogota.

The company is exploring the creation of a new hub in northeastern Brazil with the objective of expanding operations between Europe and South America.

Bogota was recently announced as the new hub for the Caribbean.

The airlines majority and minority-owned by LATAM Airlines Group through the primary airlines' various subsidiaries are as follows:

- Chile: LATAM Chile

- Argentina: LATAM Argentina

- Chile: LATAM Cargo Chile

- Chile: LATAM Express

- Colombia: LATAM Colombia

- Colombia: LATAM Cargo Colombia

- Ecuador: LATAM Ecuador

- Mexico: LATAM Cargo Mexico

- Peru: LATAM Peru

- Brazil: LATAM Brasil

- Brazil: LATAM Cargo Brasil

- Paraguay: LATAM Paraguay


Tourism Observer

CHILE: JetSMART To Expand Into Argentina

JetSMART will expand into Argentina in December, and plans to launch domestic service as soon as mid-2019.

The airline has embarked on the process of obtaining an air operator's certificate in Argentina, and expects to begin sales in early 2019 for flights beginning mid-2019, JetSMART chief executive Estuardo Ortiz says.

The domestic service in Argentina will follow the airline's launch of flights between Chile and Argentina from December, with five routes planned.

JetSMART began flights in Chile in July 2017.

It will connect Santiago with Mendoza from 11 December, followed by Cordoba on 14 December. On 17 December, it will begin service between La Serena and Cordoba.

Flights between La Serena and Mendoza will launch 18 December. On 2 January, service between Santiago and Buenos Aires El Palomar will begin.

Despite a deluge of airline interest in Argentina following the liberalisation of the aviation industry in the country, Ortiz says JetSMART is bullish about the market.

It's a large market in terms of population and geography, he explains. We believe that with the recent progress made by the government to remove the fare floor, it will allow us to offer low fares to stimulate the market.

Argentina removed a minimum fare rule in August, allowing airlines to price their fares freely, in a move that was welcomed by all carriers.

Ortiz believes there is enormous potential to stimulate air travel in Argentina, pointing to the lower number of trips per capita compared to other more mature Latin American aviation markets like Chile and Colombia.

We see potential for the market to grow two to three-fold, Ortiz says.

JetSMART currently operates mostly within Chile, with a lone international route to Lima. It has a fleet of five Airbus A320s but will add another six by early 2019 for a total of 11. In the second half of 2019, it will add eight A320neos that will be leased.

The airline's owner Indigo Partners firmed up an order for A320neo family aircraft in late 2017, including 70 aircraft for JetSMART.

Deliveries of these will begin in 2021, says Ortiz.


Tourism Observer

Enjoy Churrasco

Churrasco is a Spanish and Portuguese term referring to beef or grilled meat more generally, differing across Latin America and Europe, but a prominent feature in the cuisine of Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Nicaragua, Peru and other Latin American countries.

The related term churrascaria or churrasqueria is mostly understood to be a steakhouse.

A churrascaria is a restaurant serving grilled meat, many offering as much as one can eat.

The waiters move around the restaurant with the skewers, slicing meat onto the client's plate.

This serving style is called espeto corrido or rodízio, and is quite popular in Brazil.

In Brazil, churrasco is the term for a barbecue similar to the Argentine, Uruguayan, Paraguayan and Chilean asado which originated in southern Brazil.

It uses a variety of meats, pork, sausage and chicken which may be cooked on a purpose-built churrasqueira, a barbecue grill, often with supports for spits or skewers.

Portable churrasqueiras are similar to those used to prepare the Argentine, Chilean, Paraguayan and Uruguayan asado, with a grill support, but many Brazilian churrasqueiras do not have grills.Only the skewers above the embers.

The meat may alternatively be cooked on large metal or wood skewers resting on a support or stuck into the ground and roasted with the embers of charcoal, wood may also be used, especially in the State of Rio Grande do Sul.

In Nicaragua, the first immigrant group to introduce the term for this cut of beef to the United States restaurant scene in Miami, Fl as early as the 1950s.

It refers to a thin steak prepared grilled and served with a traditional chimichurri sauce- macerated parsley, garlic, peppers, and olive oil sauce.

Although seldom accredited to Brazilians and Argentinians, these two nations' most popular cuts of grilled meats are not churrasco but Rib and Picanha (Brazil) and Entrana respectively.

In Argentina and Uruguay a churrasco refers to any boneless cut of beef that is sliced slightly thin as a steak and grilled over hot coals or on a very hot skillet.

Gauchos would have grilled churrasco as part of their asado, now the national dish of both countries, served with salad and fried or mashed potatoes, and sometimes a fried egg.

In Puerto Rico it always refers to skirt steak, cooked on a barbecue grill. The chimichurri sauce is optional, since the meat is very savory with just a slight hint of sea salt that is sprinkled over the meat during cooking.

It is also customary to replace chimichurri sauce with a guava rum sauce made with spices and 7up or Ajilimojili sauce.

In Ecuador churrasco is a staple food of the Coast Region, specially Guayaquil. The dish's main ingredient is the grilled steak that is seasoned with chimichurri, it is served with plantains, white rice, French fries, a fried egg, and slices of avocado.

In Guatemala, churrasco is regarded as a typical dish, often eaten in familiar gatherings and festive occasions.

It is usually served topped with chirmol, a red sauce containing chopped tomatoes and onions, and accompanied by corn, guacamole, grilled potatoes, stewed black beans, rice and tortillas.

In Chile, churrasco refers to a thin cut of steak which varies depending on the desired quality of the sandwich.

The slices are grilled and served in a -sometimes warmed- local bun called marraqueta, or pan batido in Valparaiso, usually accompanied with tomato, avocado and mayonnaise, in the case of a churrasco italiano.

Another popular dish, churrasco a lo pobre or poor man's churrasco, consists of a churrasco served with French fries, fried egg, and caramelized onions.

In Portugal, Frango de Churrasco with piri piri a kind of salty roasted chicken cooked on the churrasqueira, spiced with hot red chili sauce is very popular.

Portuguese churrasco and chicken dishes are very popular in countries with Portuguese communities, such as Canada, Australia, the United States, Venezuela and South Africa.

The term churrasco is used in former Portuguese colonies—a Churrasco Moçambicano is a grilled meat dish from Mozambique, for instance.

In Galicia, churrasco refers almost exclusively to grilled pork or beef spare-ribs.

Galicians who emigrated to America in the 20th century took with them the recipe for churrasco.

Nowadays, many Galicians of all social classes prepare a churrascada.

In North America, Churrasco is the trademark name for rotisserie/grills manufactured by Hickory Industries, Inc.


Tourism Observer

UNITED NATIONS: Lionel Messi Is Ambassador To Promote Responsible Tourism

The UN World Tourism Organization said Monday it has appointed FC Barcelona’s Argentine star Lionel Messi as an ambassador to promote responsible tourism.

During my travels I have had the opportunity to know other cultures and societies as well as other ways to see the world and this is very enriching, Messi said in a statement released by the Madrid-based United Nations body announcing his nomination.

I am happy I can join this mission of promoting responsible tourism, the five-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award added as the body steps up its campaign to minimise harm tourism can cause to the environment and historical sites.

The UN body defines responsible tourism as tourism that helps maximise the sector’s benefits while minimising its potentially negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and societies across the globe.

World Tourism Organization chief Zurab Pololikashvili said it was a great honour to have Messi promote the positive values and benefits that tourism represents.

Messi is a unique sportsman and an example of how willpower and constant work yield good results, he added.

The 30-year-old is the leading scorer in La Liga this season with 29 goals and is also the all-time top marksman in Spain’s top flight.

He is also the top scorer in the history of Barcelona and Argentina.


Tourism Observer

ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Airlines Expanding Routes, Now Flying To Argentina

Ethiopian Airlines launched its inaugural trip from Addis Ababa to Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday with an all-female crew.

The flag carrier will fly five times a week between the two capitals.

The Buenos Aires route increases the airline’s destinations in the Americas to six.

Ethiopian flies to Washington, New York, and Los Angeles in the United States, Toronto in Canada, and São Paulo, Brazil.

Ethiopian flight to Buenos Aires will provide efficient connections to our network in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, including Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Mumbai, Delhi, Dubai, Beirut, Nairobi, and Cairo, said Mr Tewolde Gebremariam, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group.

He said the airline’s expansion in terms of destinations and fleet in recent years would be instrumental in supporting Ethiopia’s rapid economic growth which is largely supported by industrialisation and tourism.

As the national carrier, we are fast expanding our global footprint, currently covering over 100 international destinations across five continents, to support the country’s growth by facilitating its access to investors and tourists,said Mr Tewolde.

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's most profitable, has set up hubs in the continent with the latest agreement signed in January to acquire a 45 per cent stake in Zambia Airways that is set to be re-launched after more than two decades.

Ethiopian also operates Togo's Asky Airlines where it holds a 40 per cent stake, and Malawian Airlines, formerly Air Malawi, where it has a 49 per cent shareholding.

Ethiopian Airlines is seeking to set up hubs in southern Africa, Central Africa and the Horn that connect neighbouring countries leading to faster trade, investment and tourism within the continent.

We are working with Malawi and Zambia as southern Africa hubs. Another hub would be in central Africa, covering the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville and Chad. We are also in talks with neighbouring Djibouti, said Tewelde Gebremariam, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group.

We have a successful hub in Togo, Asky Airline in which we hold a 40 per cent share, Mr Tewelde said.

Before we established Asky, the only way to travel to travel from Cote d’Ivoire to Benin was first to go to Paris and then from Paris to Benin, he added.

He made the remark in Addis Ababa on Wednesday at the launch of an Ethiopian Airlines app that enables customers to make transactions including downloading their boarding pass.

Explaining the significance of having multiple hubs in Africa, Mr Tewelde said: We are not entering a joint venture with these African countries just for the sake of making money. Addis Ababa is a very successful hub.

Out of the around 11 million passengers we transport every year, 70 per cent are not entering Addis. They are transit passengers to other African countries and the rest of the world.

We are connecting Europe with Africa, the Middle East with Africa and Asia with Africa. We want to expand this and be close to the customers.

With a very large landmass and around one billion population, Africa has a high growth opportunity. By expanding the hubs, we will be contributing significantly to intra-Africa connectivity, he said.

Although Africa is reasonably connected with the rest of the world, the continent is not well connected to itself. Internal transport within Africa has been a major challenge especially because there are no open skies.

Due to financial and managerial complications Ethiopian Airlines recently ceased negotiations with Nigerian government to take over the previously private owned Arik Airlines of Nigeria.

A few months ago Mr Tewelde announced that Ethiopian Airlines was working on getting registered as a local Airline in Mozambique.

In 2017, Ethiopian Airlines added 12 new destinations. We will be launching flights to 10 new destinations between now and June 2018, Mr Tewelde said.

Ethiopian Airlines has acquired a 45 per cent stake in Zambia Airways that is set to be re-launched after more than two decades.

Africa's most profitable airline said Tuesday it has finalised a shareholders agreement with Zambia in line with its vision of setting up multiple hubs in southern and central Africa and the Horn.

Under the pact, the Zambian government will be the majority shareholder with a 55 per cent stake.

The re-launching of Zambia Airways will enable the travelling public in Zambia and the southern African region to enjoy greater connectivity options.

Thereby facilitating the flow of investment, trade and tourism, and contributing to the socio-economic growth of the country and the region, said Mr Tewolde Gebremariam, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group.

In the statement, Mr Tewolde said Zambia Airways will serve national and regional destinations before embarking on international flights.

In December, Zambia's Cabinet approved the revival of the national airline at an estimated cost of $30 million.

The airline was liquidated in 1994 after running broke largely due to patronage and abuse by the political establishment.

Ethiopia Airlines runs Togo's Asky Airlines where it holds a 40 per cent stake and Malawian Airlines, formerly Air Malawi, where it has a 49 per cent shareholding.

Ethiopian Airlines almost doubled its profit for 2016, buoyed by an 18 per cent jump in passenger numbers.

The Ethiopian carrier summed up a great year for the continent’s largest and only profitable airline, with revenues of $261.9 million in 2016, from $150.9 million the previous year.

This despite the challenging operating environment caused by slower global economic growth and weaker performance of Africa’s major economies.

Its revenues increased by 8.6 per cent to $2.3 billion, a development attributed to an increase in flight frequency and opening up of new routes.

But the airline group chief executive officer Tewolde Gebremariam says that it was exposed to high currency fluctuations, leaving more than $220 million of its funds stuck in several African countries that had forex challenges.

Ethiopian booked a currency loss of $18.1 million as a result of continuous currency devaluation in many African countries and the associated problems of repatriation.

Mr Tewolde said the airline had difficulties repatriating funds in some oil-producing African countries.

Repatriating funds held up in Nigeria, Egypt, Angola and Sudan as a result of the oil price declines was a problem.

We have more than $220 million stuck in these countries. This has hit our liquidity, Mr Gebremariam said.

The airline was forced to resort to a natural hedge; making payments in the currency of sales and maintaining a higher cash reserve in the stable currencies such as US dollar, the euro and the British pound.

Due to the fluctuation of most currencies against the US dollar, as well as critical shortages of forex in some of the major markers in Africa.

We are closely working with International Air Transport Association (IATA) for possible ways of hedging of selected currency risks in major financial markets with selected banks, Mr Gebremariam said.

Data from the IATA shows that last year, 20 African governments owed African and foreign airlines $1.4 billion in stuck funds.

Nigeria, which devalued its currency twice, held the highest amount, $339 million, followed by Egypt with $310 million, then Angola with $190 million, Sudan $250 million and Algeria $125 million.

In 2016, Ethiopian Airlines saw its operating expenses increase by 6 per cent, which was lower than the rate of revenue growth.

It spent $631.9 million on fuel equivalent to 32 per cent of its total costs during the period down from $739.4 million the previous year.

Its overflying and navigation, foreign overhaul and landing charges also increased by $54.7 million to $147.4 million because of the increased operations, and exchange rate impact.

The airline saved $81.73 million through the implementation of various structural and strategic cost-saving initiatives.

Facing stiff competition from Gulf carriers, Ethiopia Airlines transported 270,000 tonnes of cargo and 7.6 million passengers in 2016, 75 per cent of whom were in transit.

Its finance costs jumped to $1.97 billion, $1.8 billion being loans from foreign lending institutions, secured on aircraft, bearing interest at rates of up to 4.84 per cent annually, and repayable in quarterly instalments.

It also owes $121.3 million in secured and unsecured loans from local and foreign lenders and development agencies, bearing interest at rates of up to 6.9 per cent annually.

The airline spent $61.6 million on landing and parking, up from $48.23 million, as a result of the new routes.



Tourism Observer

FALKLAND ISLANDS: Visit The Falkland Islands

Albatross In The Falklands_islands
The Falkland Islands consist of two main islands and several hundred smaller islands in the South Atlantic, 300 miles (500 km) off the east coast of southern South America.

Most visitors to the islands come in summer, between October and March, to enjoy the spectacular wildlife and quaint rural lifestyle.

More than 98% of the resident population expressed in internationally monitored referenda, the Falklands are a United Kingdom Overseas Territory and are an associated territory of the European Union.

The Falklands have been claimed by Argentina as the Islas Malvinas for more than 180 years and were the site of a major conflict between the two countries after Argentina invaded in 1982.

This resulted in the overthrow of the military dictatorship in Argentina after the invading army was defeated. Sovereignty issues continue to be raised by Argentine governments in the UN context while UK holds a strong military presence as a deterrent for further military actions.

Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing by the English did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement the French was not established until 1764. Since that time the islands have been the subject of ongoing territorial disputes, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina.

For nearly two hundred years, and certainly since 1833, the islands have been under British control.

Open conflict between Britain and Argentina began on 2 April 1982 when Argentina landed troops on the islands. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later.

After fierce fighting in what is often known as the Falklands War, the Argentine occupation force was forced to surrender on 14 June 1982. Nonetheless, today successive Argentine governments continue to claim sovereignty over the archipelago.

The economy of the Falklands was formerly based on agriculture,mainly sheep farming but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. Income from licensing foreign trawlers totals more than USD40 million per year with squid accounting for 75% of the fish taken.

Agricultural activities mainly support domestic consumption with the exception of high grade wool which is exported. Surveys have revealed oil deposits within a 200 mile (320 km) oil exploration zone around the islands and exploratory drilling is under way. The substantial British military presence provides a sizeable economic boost.

Tourism is being actively encouraged and increasing rapidly with about 66,000 visitors in 2009; a significant part of the increase is from visiting cruise liners. The majority of visitors are from the UK but efforts are being made to encourage wildlife and adventure tourism. The main season is November to March but angling for sea trout is most favourable outside of this period.

The most popular reason to visit is for the scenic beauty and the flora and fauna. Conservation is high on the Islands' agenda. Bird and marine species are the most prevalent fauna and include five species of penguin, four species of seal, albatross, petrels, the Falkland Flightless Steamer duck (Logger Duck), other duck species, geese, hawks and falcons.

The Striated Caracara (Johnny Rook) is a rare bird of prey found only on the Falkland Islands and some islands off Cape Horn. Porpoises and dolphins are often sighted with the occasional sighting of whales.

The terrain is rocky and hilly, with some boggy terrain. Peat is found throughout the islands, leading to potentially dangerous fire conditions; once ignited, a peat fire can burn for months. The deeply indented coast provides good natural harbours.

The highest point in the islands is the 2,313 ft (705m) Mount Usborne mentioned by by Charles Darwin in the Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle and named after the Master's Assistant on HMS Beagle, Alexander Burns Usborne, one of the crew on Darwin's famous voyage.

Strong westerly winds are a constant in many parts of the islands. It is more likely to rain in the southeastern part of the islands with the far western islands getting very little yearly precipitation.

Although it is located almost exactly as far south as London is north of the equator, the absence of a warming current like the Gulf Stream means temperatures are considerably colder and snow may occur at any time except for January and February, although accumulation is rare. Most visitors come to the islands between November and March.

The Falklands is a victim of the Antarctic ozone hole, so it is important to wear sunscreen on sunny days during the early summer

Holidays in the Falkland Islands

- Margaret Thatcher day, 10 January

- HM the Queen's Birthday, 21 April

- Liberation Day, 14 June

- Battle Day, 8 December

Islands that make the Falkland Islands

Life in the Falklands can be divided between living in Stanley or living in camp. The two main islands of the territory are East Falkland and West Falkland, with numerous smaller islands providing additional destinations.

- East Falkland

- West Falkland

- Carcass Island

- New Island

- Pebble Island

- Saunders Island

- Sea Lion Island

- West Point Island

Town is a relative term in the Falklands. While the population of Stanley hovers near two thousand, the populations of other settlements usually range from the single digits to perhaps twenty people with a noticeable increase during the busy sheep shearing times.

Bear in mind that the average medium sized village located in the United Kingdom has a population of only around 3,000 and this is nearly the total population of the entire Falkland Islands.

Stanley - capital and port

Goose Green - small settlement with numerous remnants of the 1982 war on East Falkland

Port Howard - 80,937 hectare sheep farm on West Falkland

With the exception of those arriving by cruise ship who will not be spending a night on land, all visitors to the Falklands must show that they have a return ticket, accommodation and sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the islands. A major credit card will be accepted as proof of funds. A departure tax of £22 is charged when leaving the territory from Mount Pleasant airport.

A visa is required except in the following cases:

- Visitors arriving onboard a cruise ship and do not spend a night in the Islands.

- Visitors who hold a passport from the European Union, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, San Marino, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States, Uruguay or Vatican City.

- Visitors who have a passport or international travel document issued by the Red Cross or United Nations.

International flights arrive at the Mount Pleasant (MPN) airport, which is also a military base and approximately 56 km from Stanley. The only commercial carrier to use this airport is LanChile on a weekly flight from Santiago de Chile via Punta Arenas (CL), Rio Gallegos (AR) (monthly).

The Royal Air Force also contracts two flights per week from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom on the South Atlantic Airbridge; Flights are subject to military priorities, though civilians can purchase tickets for vacant seats.

Travel time from the UK is 18 hours and includes a stop in Cape Verde en route.

Nationals of Belarus, China, Egypt, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, and Vietnam are not allowed to use the South Atlantic Airbridge from 5 March, 2015, the Uruguayan news agency MercoPress reported on the same day, citing the UK Ministry of Defence.

The ministry did not indicate a reason for the restrictions on those nationalities, but said that it places the greatest importance on the security of its people, facilities and operations,as the flight uses RAF air bases and that the policy would remain under review.

There is also an airport in Stanley (PSY) but it has a smaller runway and is used for flights within the Falklands.

Falkland Island Tours & Travel operates a shuttle bus that meets all flights and that can take visitors to and from the capital for £17.00 per person (one-way). Pre-booked taxis also take passengers to and from the airport.

Large cruise ships stop at Stanley's port throughout the summer. These boats may also stop at some of the outlying islands. While cruise ships can dock at Stanley, be prepared to come ashore on a zodiac, also called a rigid inflatable boat (RIB), when landing on most other islands. It is also typical for expedition ships en route to Antarctica, to include a stop at the Falkland Islands in their itinerary.

Companies offering cruises to Antarctica include:

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris offers various itineraries that include the Falkland Islands. Depending on the itinerary, they offer 1-3 days on the Falklands during their Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and Falkland Islands Extended Expedition and their South Georgia and Falkland Islands In-depth Expedition. They stress maximum time ashore and Zodiac cruising with an experienced staff of Antarctic veterans.

Travelling between islands in the Falklands is generally done using the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS). The planes are Britten Norman Islander aircraft, capable of carrying eight passengers plus pilot. Be aware however, that passenger load may be reduced depending on the condition of the airstrips being visited.

With the exception of Stanley and Mount Pleasant, all airstrips in the Falklands are either dirt strips or grassy fields. Be prepared for slight delays while livestock is cleared from airstrips prior to takeoff/landing!

FIGAS flights leave twice daily from the airstrip just outside of Stanley and travel to a variety of locations throughout the islands. There is a baggage limit of 20kg per person which is strictly enforced; you and your baggage will be weighed prior to boarding in Stanley.

For those with more than 14kg of baggage there is an additional charge of £1.00 per kilogram, space permitting. Note that unless the plane is flying to an island with a very poor landing strip there are almost never weight constraints that would prevent travelling with a few extra kilos of baggage.

Reservations are required for travel and should be booked at least 24 hours in advance. Booking reservations can be done either by calling the airport or visiting the airport in person when it is open,hours vary depending on flight schedules but mid-morning is usually a good time.

Flight schedules are announced the night before departure and are also available via a fax service. Most lodges will post the schedule as soon as it is announced.

Flights can be paid for in cash or with credit card. Fares vary by destination.

- Stanley to Sea Lion Island

- Stanley to Port Howard

- Saunders Island to Pebble Island

- Pebble Island to Stanley

While it is theoretically possible to get around the Falklands by boat, as of March 2010 there was no regular service available to tourists travelling in small groups to the outer islands; contrary to reports in guide books, the Golden Fleece does not taxi passengers around the islands.

For large groups it may be possible to charter a boat in advance thus providing a great way to visit some of the less-travelled islands. Be aware that per-passenger landing fees are charged on many of the islands; contact the island's owner before visiting.

However there is a regular passenger ferry between New Haven, 2 hours car journey from Stanley to Port Howard. Ferry tickets must be booked in advance from Workboat Services on 22300.

Large cruise ships are the most common means for people to visit the Falklands, and most will make several landings at various islands. Note that aside from Stanley all landings from cruise ships are done using zodiacs or small inflatable boats, and in many cases the lack of docking areas will require a quick wade from the zodiac onto shore.

Within Stanley there are two taxi services that can be hired for travel throughout the town and surrounding areas, including the Mount Pleasant airport.

Land Rover rental may be possible from Stanley. Contact either the Falkland Islands Company or Stanley Services for information. Roads in Stanley are paved, but elsewhere road conditions range from well-maintained dirt roads to boggy mud streams. Unless your travels specifically require having your own vehicle, renting a Land Rover is neither necessary nor a particularly good idea.

As the Falklands are a British overseas territory, English is the official language. Ten percent of the population is fluent in Spanish, mainly native speakers from nearby countries like Chile. Many others have a working knowledge of Spanish.

Museum - The Museum is situated on Holdfast Road.

The official Falklands currency is the Falkland Islands Pound (FKP) whose value is equal to the Pound Sterling (GBP). Money can be exchanged at the only bank in the islands which is located in Stanley across from the FIC West store. Pound Sterling,UK notes and coins is accepted anywhere in the islands and, within Stanley, credit cards and US currency are also often accepted.

On the outlying islands credit cards will probably not be accepted, although UK and US currency may be taken; check with the owners in advance to determine what is an acceptable payment method.

It is nearly impossible to exchange Falklands currency outside the islands, so be sure to exchange all money before leaving the islands.

Meals in the Falklands are primarily traditional British. Fish and chips, roast beef, mutton and tea are standard fare. There are some Spanish influences such as Milanesa and Cazuela. While in camp many of the lodges provide home-cooked meals in very generous portions and their food is generally better than is found in Stanley's pubs and eateries. However, Stanley does have a few good restaurants.

While most items in the Falklands are expensive due to the cost of importation, there are no taxes on alcohol making beer prices fairly reasonable. Pubs and lodges offer a wide selection, although most drinks will usually come from a can or bottle rather than a tap.

Accommodation in Stanley includes numerous bed and breakfasts as well as a handful of hotels. Buildings are generally older and the warm hospitality also seems to come from a bygone age. While in camp lodging includes everything from old farmhouses to lodges built specifically for tourism. Camping may be permitted with permission of the landowner.

Many places are self-catering meaning supplies will need to be purchased in either Stanley or from a local source, if one is available. When in camp it is essential that lodging be reserved in advance; in Stanley it is generally possible to find lodging without a reservation but it is still recommended that reservations be made.

A work permit is required for any foreign national, including UK citizens, working in the Falklands. Work permits should generally be applied for prior to coming to the islands and will require an employer's sponsorship. Additional information can be found at the Falkland Islands Government site.

The locals can be unfriendly towards contractor workers. They also think they get free housing. Contract workers are essential to the Falklands Economy due to a shortage of skilled and professionally qualified workers. It is almost impossible to find fresh fruit and vegetables there and when you do they are extortionately priced, for example, a banana will cost £1 and a small orange or one single plum will cost 90p.

Cabbage and cauliflower costs around £4.50 for half a portion and when you get it home you will find it is more than likely rotten. Half a portion of lettuce costs around £3.50 and a small cucumber costs £4. Tomatoes for some reason are very expensive, if you buy 2 small tomatoes that will set you back £2.50.

There is no fresh milk available and all milk is UHT/long life milk. The only fresh meat on sale in the supermarket is mutton. A frozen chicken costs around £12 for a 2kg bird.

The cost of heating your house during the time that you are there is also a problem as kerosene the only form of heating available to most housing there is expensive and will set you back £200 to £300 or more per month to heat a small 3 bed house. Overall the cost of living is at least 3 times higher than the UK.

The internet is very expensive and it costs around £80 per month for a limited data package of 4GB per month. It is not uncommon to be charged extra for going over your monthly allowance as it is easy to do this, most smart phones and tablets use the Internet to update so are hungry on the data.

The internet is very slow and crashes often. Streaming is a big 'no' not only because of the cost but because it constantly buffers 'stop start'. It is not uncommon to receive monthly phone/Internet bills in excess of £200. It costs around 60p off peak to phone the UK and 90p per minute peak rate.

It is expensive to get off the Island and a return flight to Santiago the nearest airport interchange hub costs approximately £800 per person and is a 7 hour flight. It costs £1600 for a return ticket to the UK if you are eligible for discount you need to be a FIG employee otherwise it costs £2100.00 per person so keeping in touch with the outside world is almost impossible.

Crime is relatively unknown in the Falklands, although one should still take the normal precautions of not leaving items unattended or travelling alone late at night. If problems are encountered the police force should be helpful.

Unexploded ordnance from the 1982 conflict, including land mines, are still found in the islands. No civilians have been harmed by landmines since the conflict ended and the remaining minefields are all well marked and clearly cordoned off. It is a criminal offence to enter a minefield or to remove minefield signs.

Many animals in the islands can be dangerous when cornered or with young. Elephant seals, sea lions and fur seals are probably the most dangerous; keep a safe distance when viewing these animals. A general rule is that if the animal seems to notice your presence, you are too close.

The Falklands, being located at a far southern latitude, may be affected by the Antarctic ozone hole from August until December. During this time be sure to wear sunscreen on sunny days, as the risk of sunburn is increased significantly. During other months of the year the ozone hole shrinks and the danger from the sun is not significantly greater than anywhere else on the planet.

However, it is wise to wear sunscreen as the burning effect of the sun is often under-estimated by visitors to the islands.

There are no special medical requirements for visiting the Falklands. There is a large hospital in Stanley but outside of the capital there are no medical facilities. For serious injuries the costs of being airlifted out of the islands are very high. Your travel insurance must cover the costs of medical evacuation.

Since the population has British roots, customs tend to follow those of the United Kingdom, although in many ways the islanders are more conservative than Britain. Drugs are not tolerated and travellers should be aware that among some residents there is still a mistrust of Argentines stemming from the 1982 conflict between the UK and Argentina.

In addition to the above concerns, there exists a Country Code that should be followed by visitors to the islands:

- Always ask permission before entering private land.

- Keep to paths wherever possible. Leave gates open or shut as you found them.

- Be aware of the high fire risk throughout the Islands. Be extremely careful when smoking not to start fires. Take cigarette butts away with you.

- Do not litter; take your rubbish home with you.

- Do not disfigure rocks or buildings.

- Do not touch, handle, injure or kill any wild bird or other wild animal.

- Never feed any wild animals.

- Always give animals the right of way. Remember not to block the routes of seabirds and seals coming ashore to their colonies.

- Try to prevent any undue disturbance to wild animals. Stay on the outside of bird and seal colonies. Remain at least six yards away. When taking photographs or filming stay low to the ground. Move slowly and quietly. Do not startle or chase wildlife from resting or breeding areas.
Some plants are protected and should not be picked.

- Whalebones, skulls, eggs or other such items may not be exported from the Falklands.

The international calling code for the Falklands is +500. The local phone company, Cable & Wireless, sells phone cards which can be used throughout the territory.

Broadband internet access now exists island-wide although speeds are much closer to dialup, 56 Kbps or less. Several hotels, as well as the visitor centre offer computers that accept Cable & Wireless internet cards and there are an increasing number of Wi-Fi hotspots.

Both phone and internet cards can be purchased from the Cable & Wireless office in Stanley located on the hill past the War Memorial, as well as in some of the stores in Stanley. The larger lodges will also sell phone cards and may have internet cards. More recently a GSM cell phone network has been made available but works only for Stanley, Mount Pleasant and a few other locations on East Falkland.

The postal service in the Falklands is reliable and letters can be mailed easily from Stanley and most settlements. The main post office is located in downtown Stanley across from the FIC West store.



Tourism Observer

BRAZIL: Brazil’s Bumper Soybean Crop Amazing

The farm markets will continue to actively eye the corn and soybean production progress in Brazil and Argentina.

Because South America’s growing season varies widely, everything from crop progress, weather updates, harvest progress and yield reports, and transportation issues are all in play during the month of February.

This week, the Brazil soybean crop was being called amazing by some, while Argentina’s soybean losses from flooding were still being assessed.

Both the crops still in the ground and the yields from the harvest activity in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil’s largest soybean-producing region, were coming up roses.

As of Sunday, Brazil farmers had harvested 2.2% of the crop, ahead of the 1.5% pace from a year ago, and ahead of the 1.2% five-year average, according to AgRural consultancy.

Individual states such as Mato Grosso had 11.5% of this year’s soybean crop harvested, up almost 8% from its pace last year. Mato Grosso do Sul farmers were 1% complete; Goiás and Minas Gerais both less than 1.0%.

So far, the farmers in Mato Grosso have reported soybean harvest yields between 53.33 and 57.99 bushels per acre. In the southern state of Parana, farmers report yields ranging from 56.2 and 61.56 bushels per acre.

For the rest of the month of January, wet weather is expected to delay harvest activity for the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais, according to Climatempo, a Brazilian weather company.

Meanwhile, favorable soybean harvest weather is expected in Brazil's southern states of Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul.

Though rain events could slow harvest in parts of the country, Brazil’s soybean output for 2017 is expected to be record-large.

The latest soybean production estimates released by Brazil’s National Supply Company (Conab) estimates an increase of 8.7% compared to last year.

With an estimated area of 84.0 million acres, Brazil’s farmers are expected to grow 103.5 million tons of soybeans, greater than Conab’s December estimates of 102.3 million tons.

Brazil’s total 2017 corn production (first and second crops) is pegged at 84.480 million tons, according to Conab. However, AgRural, a private Brazilian consultancy firm estimates total corn production at 88.6 million tons.

Brazil’s farmers planted and estimated 39.34 million acres of corn in 2017, the majority of this total associated with the second crop (safrihna) crop.

So, Brazilian farmers have a big crop coming on. The question is will they put it on the market all at once? Not exactly.

While farmers were active sellers in December, January’s exchange rate fell out of bed. The U.S. dollar weakened to Brazil’s real, and the farmer-selling faded. In late January, one U.S. dollar equaled around R$ 3.19.

Farmers get paid in dollars. Last year, prices reached R$ 100 per bag of 60 kgs. This year, prices for a bag of soybeans is around R$ 60 to R$ 65 per bag.

Just as Brazil and Argentina are expected to produce more soybeans in 2017, (a combined 102 to 106 million metric tons), smaller countries expect to raise South America’s total even higher. At the same time, some other few countries will have a higher output.

Paraguay is seen producing 9.30 million metric tons of the oilseed (13% more than the previous crop). In Uruguay, after lower output from last year’s lack of soybean seeds, the country would harvest 3.5 million metric tons of soy, according to the newest estimate of the Association of Oil and Grain Exporters of Paraguay.

The British group AHDB says that both countries represent together 4% of global soybean supply and have been out of the scope for a lot of analysts. On the other hand, it is still early to tell if Argentina’s losses would be totally compensated by these two countries. Estimates of losses range from 2 to 8 million metric tons. Argentinian farmers have yet 10 days to finish planting or rework.

The soybean market is performing well, despite solid world supply numbers.

Jason Ward, Northstar Commodity Investment Co. says the USDA’s January WASDE estimates for South America remain big but not surprising to the market.

“We digested a big increase in Brazil production and still world soy stocks declined. Argentina likely has some room to move down on production, especially if wet weather continues,” Ward says.

Compared with the USDA’s previous estimates, the USDA left production estimates unchanged in January, for both Argentina or Brazil.

USDA left Brazil’s 2017 corn output at 86.50 million metric tons, and that country’s soybean production at 104 mmt, up 2 mmt.

Argentina’s estimates, in production, were left unchanged for its corn and soybean output.

Meanwhile, in its January WASDE Report world corn ending stocks were dropped by 1.3 mmt or 51.16 million bushels. World soybean ending stocks declined by 600,000 mmt or 22 million bushels. World wheat ending stocks increased by 1.2 mmt or 44 million bushels.


Tourism Observer
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PARAGUAY: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Reaches Paraguay, Curacao And Argentina

Enterprise Holdings, the world’s largest car rental company, has announced that its flagship Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand has begun operating in Argentina, Paraguay and Curacao this month.

Enterprise Holdings owns Enterprise Rent-A-Car as well as the National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands.

The Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand – including the popular Enterprise Plus loyalty program – will be offered to customers at main airports in Bariloche, Buenos Aires and Mendoza, Argentina; Asunción, Paraguay; and Willemstad, Curacao.

The brand’s first city-center location also opened in Asunción in September and additional locations are planned for the three countries.

National Car Rental also recently expanded its service offerings – including the brand’s Emerald Club loyalty program – at locations throughout Argentina and Paraguay.

“There’s tremendous growth potential for both corporate and leisure car rental in Latin America,” said Peter A. Smith, vice president of global franchising at Enterprise Holdings.

Smith was a keynote speaker at the 2016 International Car Rental Show where he highlighted the company’s rapid international expansion and integrated global network.

Enterprise Holdings’ growth in key Argentina, Paraguay and Curacao markets reflects its vision to build a comprehensive and international car rental network recognized for high quality and customer service.

In fact, Enterprise Holdings’ successful global expansion has helped position it near the top of the global travel industry overall, with the company’s annual revenues exceeding those generated by many airlines and most cruise lines, hotels, tour operators and online travel agencies.

As a result, Enterprise Holdings has also teamed up with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) as a category sponsor of the 2017 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

The annual WTTC awards are among the highest accolades in the global travel industry and represent the gold standard in sustainable tourism.

easyJet Launches Tours

easyJet has launched a new partnership offering customers tours and excursions alongside its low air fares.

In partnership with Get Your Guide, easyJet will offer customers more than 16,000 activities across Europe including destination tours and excursions via a dedicated site.

Activities will also be featured within the easyJet app and through the partnership easyJet has negotiated exclusive offers for its customers.

All tastes are catered for from fast track entry to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, an ancient Rome walking tour to tickets to Harry Potter world at the Warner Bros studios near London all covered by a best price guarantee.

There have now been more than 20 million downloads of the easyJet app and for its users the tours will be completely integrated - allowing customers to browse the best options after booking a flight.

For ultimate ease, most of the tickets are paperless, so customers simply scan a QR code at the tour or activity to gain entry.

Push notifications will also act as a reminder of the booking.

Andrew Middleton, head of ancillary revenue for easyJet, commented: “We are excited to bring together easyJet’s low fares and award-winning digital platforms with GetYourGuide’s comprehensive range of activities to help our customers get the most out of exploring Europe.”

easyJet tours and activities is available to book now, on the app, after flight confirmation, or via the dedicated site - activities.easyJet.com at any time.

Tao Tao, chief operating officer, GetYourGuide, added: “Travel tours and activities are one of the main reasons people book flights, which is why it makes so much sense for GetYourGuide and easyJet to become travel partners.

“By joining forces, we now provide easyJet travellers with an easy way to book amazing experiences both before they go or when they are in destination.

“GetYourGuide looks forward to innovate with easyJet to provide their customers’ with the best travel experiences.”

The Norwegian Group board of directors has approved the launch of Norwegian Air Argentina’s plans of operation.

The commencement of routes is dependent on government approvals.

Ole Christian Melhus, chief executive, Norwegian Air Argentina said: “Argentina is an interesting market with great potential that fits Norwegian’s global strategy very well, combining affordable domestic and international flights.

“I am looking forward to continue working on realizing our plans of establishing new bases, hiring many new colleagues in Argentina and not least offering low fares to the people.

“We have been very well received by Argentinian authorities and look forward to a fruitful relationship going forward.”

The Norwegian Group established an Argentinian subsidiary in January 2017 and has applied for an Argentinian Air Operator’s Certificate, which is currently pending approval before the Argentinian government.

In the application, Norwegian outlines plans for a considerable operation, including domestic and international flights.

Following the board’s approval, Norwegian will immediately begin to hire administrative staff in Argentina. Recruitment of crew will commence in late summer.

Pending government approval, the first new routes will be announced and available for sale by year-end 2017.

Latin America Received 41 Million Arrivals 2015

With over 41 million international arrivals in 2015 and an average growth of 5%, Latin America’s travel and tourism industry has incredible potential to help generate growth, create jobs and enable regional development.

But which countries are best positioned to benefit most from the industry? You might not be surprised to find out that beautiful natural sceneries like the Iguazu Falls and iconic cultural landmarks like Machu Picchu aren’t the only factors that determine whether a destination is competitive.

Every year, we release the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, which ranks countries based on a range of polices in place to enable the sustainable development of the sector.

The report looks at factors such as how easy it is to do business in a country, specific travel and tourism policies, infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources.

So which are the 10 most competitive countries in Latin America? And more importantly, what do they all have in common?

The majority of Latin American nations rely on rich natural resources and good hospitality (what we refer to as “tourist service infrastructure”) to appeal to tourists. They also tend to be internationally open, through their visa policies.

Governments in the region realize the strategic role tourism plays in creating jobs (10% of global GDP) and support the sector proactively. At the same time, the region shares some areas for development, such as ground infrastructure and the opportunity to better value cultural resources.

While the best-performing countries have many features in common, they each have their own specificities that set them apart.

Looking at the results, you’ll see that Mexico leads the way, ranking 22nd globally and toping Latin America. It is one of the most improved countries in the index, rising eight positions this year.

The government’s prioritization of the sector and the great use of both natural and cultural resources have paid off.

To continue enhancing its competitiveness, Mexico should focus on making the country safer, and further commit to improving environmental sustainability and preserving its natural resources.

The Tulum Ruins on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, one of the country’s top tourist destinations

Brazil took the second spot in Latin America, ranking 27th globally. The country is blessed with the largest and more diverse natural resources on the planet, and strong cultural resources.

Brazil also benefits from good tourist service infrastructure and air connectivity, while remaining a price competitive destination.

Unfortunately, the security and business context have worsened. The homicide rate remains high and the business environment continues to worsen due to inefficiencies in the legal system, red tape and high taxes.

At the same time, the sector has not received much governmental support, with little investment and marketing activity.
Christ the Redeemer, one of Brazil’s most famous sites

Argentina is another country in Latin America that made significant progress, rising seven places in the global rankings to reach 50th position. The country, which is already endowed with exceptional natural and cultural resources, has significantly benefited from improvements to its “enabling environment” factors such as its labour market and ICT infrastructure.

Still, Argentina could better seize the momentum by investing more in the travel and tourism sector. Today, less than 2.5% of its government budget is invested in the sector, while the taxes and charges levied on tickets are among the highest in the world. Changing these policies could have a swift and direct effect on boosting the industry.

The Iguazu Falls, on the border between Argentina and Brazil, are the largest waterfall system in the world

Tourism-friendly Destinations In Latin America

With over 41 million international arrivals in 2015 and an average growth of 5%, Latin America’s travel and tourism industry has incredible potential to help generate growth, create jobs and enable regional development.

But which countries are best positioned to benefit most from the industry? You might not be surprised to find out that beautiful natural sceneries like the Iguazu Falls and iconic cultural landmarks like Machu Picchu aren’t the only factors that determine whether a destination is competitive.

Every year, we release the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, which ranks countries based on a range of polices in place to enable the sustainable development of the sector. The report looks at factors such as how easy it is to do business in a country, specific travel and tourism policies, infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources.

So which are the 10 most competitive countries in Latin America? And more importantly, what do they all have in common?

The majority of Latin American nations rely on rich natural resources and good hospitality (what we refer to as “tourist service infrastructure”) to appeal to tourists. They also tend to be internationally open, through their visa policies. Governments in the region realize the strategic role tourism plays in creating jobs (10% of global GDP) and support the sector proactively.

At the same time, the region shares some areas for development, such as ground infrastructure and the opportunity to better value cultural resources.

While the best-performing countries have many features in common, they each have their own specificities that set them apart.

Looking at the results, you’ll see that Mexico leads the way, ranking 22nd globally and toping Latin America. It is one of the most improved countries in the index, rising eight positions this year. The government’s prioritization of the sector and the great use of both natural and cultural resources have paid off.

To continue enhancing its competitiveness, Mexico should focus on making the country safer, and further commit to improving environmental sustainability and preserving its natural resources.

The Tulum Ruins on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, one of the country’s top tourist destinations

Brazil took the second spot in Latin America, ranking 27th globally. The country is blessed with the largest and more diverse natural resources on the planet, and strong cultural resources. Brazil also benefits from good tourist service infrastructure and air connectivity, while remaining a price competitive destination.

Unfortunately, the security and business context have worsened. The homicide rate remains high and the business environment continues to worsen due to inefficiencies in the legal system, red tape and high taxes.

At the same time, the sector has not received much governmental support, with little investment and marketing activity.
Christ the Redeemer, one of Brazil’s most famous sites

Argentina is another country in Latin America that made significant progress, rising seven places in the global rankings to reach 50th position. The country, which is already endowed with exceptional natural and cultural resources, has significantly benefited from improvements to its “enabling environment” – factors such as its labour market and ICT infrastructure.

Still, Argentina could better seize the momentum by investing more in the travel and tourism sector. Today, less than 2.5% of its government budget is invested in the sector, while the taxes and charges levied on tickets are among the highest in the world. Changing these policies could have a swift and direct effect on boosting the industry.

The Iguazu Falls, on the border between Argentina and Brazil, are the largest waterfall system in the world

USA: American Airlines Flight Attendant Attacks Woman Passenger, Tries To Attack Another Passenger Suportin The Woman

The days of "flying the friendly skies" appear to be long gone, but American Airlines is at least trying to fix the latest flight attendant snafu to go viral.

A flight attendant on board American Airlines flight 591 from San Francisco to Dallas heatedly scolded a female passenger traveling alone with two children for attempting to store her stroller in an overhead bin.

When another male passenger came to the mother's defense, the flight attendant then reportedly got physical, threatening the man who had spoken up on the young mother's behalf before a pilot appeared and attempted to calm down the irate flight attendant.

Passenger Surain Adyanthaya caught the whole altercation on a video, which he later posted to Facebook, and American Airlines wasted no time responding.

A mere 20 minutes after the plane touched down in Dallas, airline officials had reviewed the footage, grounded the flight attendant involved, and issued an apology.

To airline PR-personnel of the world: This is how you handle your business.
The moment the hullabaloo began was when a flight attendant forcibly took a stroller away from a female passenger, who Adyanthaya said was from Argentina and traveling alone with her two children.

The flight attendant allegedly hit the woman with the stroller and barely missed knocking into the infant when a male passenger came to her defense, asking for the flight attendant's name and calling out, "Hey bud, hey bud, you do that to me, and I'll knock you flat!"

While Adyanthaya's nearly three-minute Facebook video does not show the flight attendant actually taking the stroller, it does capture the young woman stuck in the center of the incident crying and tearfully asking for the stroller back while chaos erupts around her.

That was enough for American, who responded by immediate grounding the flight attendant, upgrading the woman and her children to first class, and issuing an apology.

American Ailines Appology

"We have seen the video and have already started an investigation to obtain the facts," the airline said via statement. "What we see on this video does not reflect our values or how we care for our customers. We are deeply sorry for the pain we have caused this passenger and her family and to any other customers affected by the incident. We are making sure all of her family's needs are being met while she is in our care. After electing to take another flight, we are taking special care of her and her family and upgrading them to first class for the remainder of their international trip."

"The actions of our team member captured here do not appear to reflect patience or empathy, two values necessary for customer care," the statement continued. "In short, we are disappointed by these actions. The American team member has been removed from duty while we immediately investigate this incident."

This altercation comes mere weeks after a passenger was forcibly dragged out of a United airplane, another endured in-flight sexual harassment, and a bride and groom were unceremoniously kicked off the flight to their very own wedding. Let the battle of the subtle airline side-eye, begin.

Flight Attendant Union's Statement On American Incident Blames Airlines & Passengers

Once upon a time, tales of questionable customer service was the stuff myths were made of: unproven stories, word-of-mouth facts, and a dose of drama.

Now, thanks to those little intrusive cameras on our phones and swift access to social media, we now a have a steady stream receipts unveiling injustices and, of course, harassment. Though this still doesn’t change the fact that there are multiple sides to every story.

On April 21, American Airlines responded swiftly, to a video posted to Facebook of a mother crying on one of their flights. “OMG! AA Flight attendant violently took a stroller from a lady with her baby on my flight, hitting her and just missing the baby.

Then he tried to fight a passenger who stood up for her. AA591 from SFO to DFW," said Surain Adyanthaya, a passenger aboard the flight. The 2 minutes and 44-second-long video failed to capture the entire story, but considering the recent complaints and footage against commercial airliners, it was enough to go viral.

Now, Bob Ross, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, released a statement about the incident.

The statement then went on to remind the public that there are “two stories here related to this incident.” Finally, it ended on the notion that the ordeal is still under investigation and that they “must obtain the full facts.”

Some felt the statement was not enough.

“It's almost like they learned nothing from how poorly @united handled their PR crisis, said user @BillyRise, on Twitter.

“Weak sauce, "smaller seats. crowded planes, less overhead cabin" who's fault is that?” said another.

@airlinewriter @caplannfl @APFAunity @AmericanAir weak sauce, "smaller seats. crowded planes, less overhead cabin"....who's fault is that?

— UrTeamGettin'#1Pick (@Megatran_) April 22

We’re now in an age where cameras are frequently wielded as the last, safest line of defense for onlookers. The downside is there’s no control over how these visuals are absorbed; rarely do we ever see the entire story.

In the viral video age, some airliners and other service-based industries, have begun implementing new training for employees. However, it seems the most immediate challenge for large companies is how to handle PR disasters in a way that doesn’t take sides, yet still invokes that “the customer is always right,” spirit.

Fastest Growing Tourists Destinations In The World

1. Paraguay (up 97 per cent to 1.28m)

2. Tajikistan (up 94 per cent to 414,000)

3. Niue (up 62.9 per cent to 10,000)

4. Japan (up 47.5 per cent to 20million)

5. Iceland (up 29.8 per cent to 1.3millon)

6. Bosnia and Herzegovina (up 28.2 per cent to 687,000)

7. Panama (up 22.4 per cent to 2.13million)

8. Thailand (up 22.3 per cent to 30.3million)

9. Chile (up 20.4 per cent to 4.5million)

10. Palau (up 19.2 per cent to 168,000)

11. Hungary (up 19.1 per cent to 14.5million)

12. Seychelles (up 18.7 per cent to 318,000)

13. Sri Lanka (up 17.8 per cent to 2.12million)

14. Cuba (up 17.3 per cent to 3.48million)

15. Colombia (up 17.2 per cent to 3million)

16. Oman (up 17 per cent to 1.78million)

17. Romania (up 16.9 per cent to 2.24million)

More and more people are expanding their horizons and exploring the world, new statistics show, but some locations are creating more of a buzz than others.

The United Nations World Travel Organization has released its latest Travel Barometer, featuring the countries where arrivals rose fastest in 2015.

PARAGUAY
Leading the pack was Paraguay where tourism grew a whopping 97 per cent in 2015, making it the fastest growing travel destination of last year, closely followed by Tajikistan which saw 94 per cent more visitors than the previous year.

The country stealing the title for the fastest growing destination when comparing tourism rates was awarded to Paraguay, which saw an estimated 1.28million visitors arrive - almost double the figures welcomed in 2014.

As well as receiving the fastest grower status for its 97 per cent increase, Paraguay became South America's eighth most visited country, falling slightly behind neighbours, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay.

The large country, which has an estimated population of around 6.8million people, is located between Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia, and is home to large areas of swampland, subtropical forests and beautiful rivers - including the Paraguay River.

TAJIKISTAN
Off the beaten track, Tajikistan became better known in 2015, with 414,000 tourists flocking to the country in Asia.

The home to 8.2million people, which borders Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, saw a 94 per cent increase in the amount of visitors it received in 2015.

Known for its luscious green landscapes and rugged mountains used by hikers and climbers, the central Asian country took home the second spot for this year's fastest risers.

NIUE
Tiny island country, Niue, saw 62.9 per cent more visitors heading to its sands in the South Pacific Ocean in 2015.

Despite the increase only amounting to 3,000 people, this is more than double the population of people residing there - as only 1,109 were recorded living there when last check in 2014.

Niue, which is situated Northwest of New Zealand, is often referred to as 'The Rock' by local people - a spin off nickname from its traditional title 'Rock of Polynesia'.

JAPAN
Japan is packed up with high-rise buildings, imperial palaces and mountainous national parks - making it an obvious contender for one of the most popular destinations to visit

Filled with Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and cherry blossoms, Japan's popularity levels hit the roof in 2015 when they reached a 47.5 increase, seeing the amount of tourists visiting the country hit figures of around 20million people.

The large country, which has an estimated population of 127million people, is packed with high-rise buildings, imperial palaces and mountainous national parks - making it an obvious contender for one of the most popular destinations to visit.

The crowded capital lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia.

ICELAND
Iceland, the home place of mountains, hot springs, black-sand beaches and glaciers, was visited by 1.3million people over the year

Iceland's starring role in the latest Star Wars film - The Force Awakens - may have helped it slide into fifth place of the countries that welcomed extra tourists to their country in 2015.

The home place of mountains, hot springs, black-sand beaches and glaciers, was visited by 1.3million people over the year. As well as it's breathtaking beauty, the Nordic country, which is home to 323,002 people, also offers a renowned nightlife scene.

Ireland, another country to feature in the latest movie alongside Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, saw a 14 per cent increase in arrivals.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is made up of mountainous terrain, medieval villages and Muslim and Christian landmarks, placed sixth

Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is made up of mountainous terrain, medieval villages and Muslim and Christian landmarks, was placed sixth for a 28.2 per cent increase, taking its overall visitation figures for the year to 687,000 people.

PANAMA
Coming in seventh was Panama. The stunning white sands and clear sea country which links Central and South America saw 2.13million people explore its modern skyscrapers, casinos and nightclubs in 2015 - a 22.4 per cent increase from 2014.

THAILAND
Eighth and ninth places were awarded to Thailand - from a 22.3 per cent increase, taking its 2015 visitor total to 30.3 million - and Chile welcomed 4.5million guests in the 12 month period - a 20.4 per cent boost.

South-east Asia experienced a good year for figures. Not only did Thailand, a traveller favourite, welcome an additional five million visitors, but Laos saw a 14.2 per cent increase, Burma 13.3 per cent and the Philippines 11.1 per cent.

The mesmerising Palau in the South Pacific took home tenth place. The tiny island, which is home to just 27,000 people, was visited by 168,000 travellers - more than six times its population and a 19.2 per cent rise.

Making up the rest of the top 17 countries to earn a tourism increase of more than 15 per cent, was Hungary, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Colombia, Oman and Romania.

Sri Lanka is a rugged land of rainforest, diverse wildlife and endless beaches - and last year it was visited by a huge 2.12million people

ARGENTINA: Boeing 777-200ER Receives Approval

Boeing announced that its 777-200ER (Extended Range) wide-body aircraft received approval to be operated on extended operations (ETOPS – Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards, reduced as “Extended Operation” by the FAA) by Air New Zealand.

Air New Zealand launched the 777-200ER aircraft from New Zealand at 7:20PM yesterday, that arrived at Buenos Aires, Argentina after 12 long hours. In order to make this trip possible, Boeing equipped its 777-200 aircraft with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines, allowing the aircraft to fly for 330-minute extended hours.

The approval was a milestone for the company, as this flight was the longest ever to be operated industry-wide.

Captain David Morgan, chief flight operations and safety officer, Air New Zealand commented: “We’re delighted to be the first airline globally to offer the longer ETOPS on our 777-200 aircraft for our Auckland – Buenos route. It allows us to offer a new and exciting destination for our customers.”

Air New Zealand was already operating 240-minutes extended flights since 2014; on receiving grant from New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority, the airline can now operate the aircraft for 90 more minutes.

It was also a milestone for Boeing, as its 777-200ER would be the first aircraft to be operated over these long routes. Elizabeth Lund, vice president and general manager, 777-program commented:

“We are pleased to mark this milestone with Air New Zealand, a valued Boeing customer, who has led the industry on ETOPS approvals for decades.”

The news also gives hope to Boeing’s wide-body 777 series jets, which is receiving reduced demand in the market. For the same reason, the company introduced Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engine in the extended version, which offers reduced carbon emission with reduced fuel consumption.

It is expected that the company might receive new orders for its 777 series, based on the current achievement.

CHILE: LATAM Airlines Group Reports Preliminary Monthly Statistics For December 2015

LATAM Airlines Group SA and Its subsidiaries, ("LATAM Airlines Group" or "the Company") (NYSE: LFL / IPSA: LAN / Bovespa: LATM33), the leading airline group in Latin America , today Reported STI preliminary monthly traffic statistics for December 2015 Compared to December 2014.

System passenger traffic Increased by 2.1% while capacity Increased by 2.3%. As a result, the Company's load factor for the month Decreased 0.2 points to 82.6%. International passenger traffic Accounted for approximately 53% of the month's overall passenger traffic.

Domestic passenger traffic in LATAM Airlines Group's Spanish speaking operations (Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia) rose 4.3%, while capacity Increased by 3.6%. As a consequence, the domestic passenger load factor Increased 0.6 points to 81.7%

Domestic passenger traffic in Brazil Decreased 10.6%, while capacity Decreased by 10.1%. As a consequence, the domestic passenger load factor Brazil Decreased by 0.4 points to 81.9%.

International passenger traffic Increased by 10.1%, while capacity Increased by 10.6%. Accordingly, the international passenger load factor for the month Decreased 0.4 points to 83.3%. International traffic includes international operations of Both LAN and TAM on regional and long haul routes.

Cargo Traffic Continues to be weak During the month of December Especially in Brazil domestic and international markets. Additionally, weaker seasonal exports from Latin America Contributed to the softness in demand. As a result, cargo traffic for LATAM Airlines Group Decreased 11.2% in December, and the cargo load factor Decreased 6.1 points to 54.1%. We continue to adjust capacity Through a reduced charge freighter operation, Which Resulted in a decline of 1.3% in December ATKs of charge.

VENEZUELA: A Country That Offers Paradise For $20 US Dollars

Fears of being kidnapped or not finding toilet paper are not much of an incentive for a holiday in Venezuela.

Yet hardy travelers undeterred by the tales - real and exaggerated - of crime and shortages are finding the South American nation an absurdly cheap destination.

That is thanks to exchange controls skewing the economy in favor of anyone with foreign currency, meaning you can hire a boat to a Caribbean island for $15 a day, or trek through Andean mountains or Amazon jungle for a week, with porters, at $125.

A decent hostel at a popular beach may cost $5 a night, while two people can have a three-course meal with wine for $10.

"It's crazy! This beer is costing me just a few pennies," said a tourist clad in sunglasses and clutching a local Polar beer on a stunning white-sand beach with his girlfriend at Los Roques archipelago in the Caribbean.

Even at a bumped-up 90 bolivars due to the exclusive island location, a beer here costs just $0.22 (or 15 pence for Britons like Napier) at the black market rate most foreigners change on.

Many are wise to the situation so they look for not so surreptitious money-changers as soon as they land in Venezuela, or make arrangements ahead.

Venezuela's largest denomination note is 100 bolivars - about 25 U.S. cents. Amazed at the sheer quantity of notes they receive, visitors find where to keep them the biggest problem.

"You simply can't carry enough cash with you, that's the main restriction to spending!" added Napier, saying he "felt like a drug-dealer" after wiring money in advance to Panama in order to be given bolivars by a contact in Venezuela.

Despite the currency bonanza, tourists are hardly flocking to Venezuela. There were just under 1 million arrivals last year, four times fewer than neighboring Colombia which is successfully marketing itself despite decades of drug wars and a Marxist insurgency.

In Venezuela, it's the frightening level of crime that mainly puts people off, plus acute shortages of basic products from milk to diapers.

"You're bombarded with this idea you can't go out on the street," said Argentine Juan Suso, 31, who ignored advice at home and in Venezuela to enjoy a few days walking round Caracas before going to Los Roques with a guitar on his back.

"People should come. It's so cheap, it's ridiculous. Even with our devalued currency in Argentina, it still works out such good value," he added, saying meals out in Caracas were a quarter of the cost in Buenos Aires.

The giveaway prices in Venezuela for foreigners are a recent phenomenon: the black market price of a U.S. dollar has shot up nearly six-fold from 70 bolivars to over 400 in the last year.

The government is unable to meet demand at official exchange rates, which range from 6.3 to 200 bolivars per dollar, so the black market satisfies those prepared to pay a hefty premium.

In contrast with tourists, Venezuelans' purchasing power has fallen as wage rises cannot match inflation of 68 percent in 2014 and widely forecast to hit triple digits this year.

Shopping for basic food and goods has become a daily struggle for many locals - let alone the sort of exotic holidays foreigners are enjoying in their country.

"There is no other country in the world in this situation. It's very sad," lamented Napier's Venezuelan girlfriend Aiskel Rendon, 31, a tax analyst who also lives in England.

Not surprisingly, there is a buzz about Venezuela on the backpackers' circuit. Young budget travelers recommend it as one of the world's cheapest spots - and post photos of themselves with huge wads of cash to prove it.

Will Hatton, 26, who runs a blog called "The Broke Backpacker", criss-crossed Venezuela for a month earlier this year, spending about $300 in total as he visited some of its most exotic places like the table-topped Roraima mountain.

Changing money on dodgy corners, and once counting hundreds of bills in a bathroom, Hatton's spending included three internal flights and two guided trekking tours for his $300.

"You pay $1 and you get a really nice meal. If you shell out $20, you're paragliding in the morning and kayaking in the afternoon!" said Hatton, who recounted his Venezuela experiences at thebrokebackpacker.com.

Another recent visitor, travel broadcaster Simon Parker, showed himself in a mini-documentary at a souvenir market marveling at the prices. A traditional small guitar? Less than $2. Straw hat? $2.50. Terra-cotta football? $1.

"At first I was unsure if this is the 'done thing' and the ethical issues surrounding buying currency in this way, but it turned out that everyone was at it; both locals and foreigners," he said of Venezuela's currency black market.

Back at Los Roques, a group of Argentine pensioners were off to snorkel in the shallows with a local guide, after a boat-ride across azure waters from the island where they were staying. Including breakfast and some mid-morning drinks in a cooler, their total layout that morning was minimal.

"We're in paradise for $20!" shouted one, before ducking under the water.

ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri Wins Argentine Presidential Elections

Mr Scioli is the governor of Buenos Aires province and is backed by former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who succeeded her late husband Néstor Kirchner. Argentines are choosing between opposition leader Mauricio Macri and Vice President Daniel Scioli,

Scioli has focused his campaigning on trying to demonize Macri, suggesting that he will bring austerity measures that will cut consumer spending and cause a surge in unemployment and poverty.

Scioli, Fernandez's handpicked successor who many had been expecting to sail to an election victory in October, launched attack ads against Macri in the days leading up to the runoff.

For Fernandez, who's slated to leave office in December after eight years at the helm, it was a test of whether her populist political legacy would endure. Argentina's Vice President Daniel Scioli, center, watched as Cristina Fernandez received the presidential cane from her husband, outgoing President Nestor Kirchner, after being sworn in.

Scioli conceded defeat as he called Macri to offer his congratulations on the victory.

The increasingly tense campaign was fought on shifting political ground in the vast South American nation of 42 million people. But neither candidate won outright, forcing Argentina's first-ever runoff.

The local Merval stock index has shot up 25 percent since Macri's muscular performance in the first round, as investors factored in the possibility he will win the run-off and free up markets by dismantling currency and trade controls. Final results are expected later Sunday.

Polling stations will open from 8 am local time to 6 pm local time. However, they are allowed to project a victor when the polls close. The exit polls are done by media companies such as C5N and Canal America.

The polls have closed in Argentina's presidential election. There were no reports of large scale disturbances. Voting was due to close at 2100 GMT with first results expected in the following hours. The surveys show that about 4.7 percent of voters remained undecided with another 3.2 percent planning to cast blank votes.

In Argentine, voting is compulsory for all people aged between 18 and 70, but optional for those under 18 and over 70.

In the fifteen minutes long speech Scioli strongly condemned statements from Jaime Duran Barba, who is Macri's campaign strategist and quoted saying that "no citizen votes asking the Pope whom he should support", and added that Francis "doesn't change not even ten votes in an election".

"The streets in peace, people working and taking vacation - we have never had a period of government with this reality of economic stability and progress", Fernandez said.

Whoever is sworn in on December 10 will inherit a yawning fiscal deficit that Ms Fernandez has financed by printing pesos, contributing to double digit inflation. But a source at the election body said the result trend was irreversible at this point of vote counting.

CURACAO: CTB Promoting Curaçao During Caribbean Latin Workshop And CTO Caribbean Roadshow

In the month of October the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) participated in two tourism events which were very successful. The events were the Caribbean Latin Workshop and the CTO Caribbean Roadshow. Both events took place in the Netherlands, where various travel agents, commerce and the media participated. The CTB had the opportunity to exhibit Curaçao as a favorite Caribbean destination.

Caribbean Latin Workshop

This is the fourth time that this event is being held and it is organized by Caribbean Reflections. The main purpose of the event is to inform commerce about the tourist products the Caribbean area has to offer, including Curaçao. The event took place on October 29 and 30 on board of the ship Serenity, which was docked in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The islands that were represented were Aruba, Repúblika Dominikana, Argentina, Perú, Mexico, Barbados, Belize, Boneiru, Cuba, Curaçao, Panamá and Sint Maarten.

CTO Caribbean Roadshow

The event, organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), was a roadshow especially for the international travel agents with the aim to inform about the Caribbean tourism products. CTO is the organization dedicated to the tourism development in the Caribbean region and it consist of 30 islands with Dutch, American, French and Spanish origin or nationality and a number of respected private sector members. CTO also encourages travel agents to sell the various Caribbean destinations, including Curaçao.

This year the CTO Caribbean Roadshow took place at the La Cubanita restaurant in Rotterdam and Eindhoven. During the roadshow on October 26 and 28 participants were able to enjoy a Caribbean buffet while they received a 10 minute presentation of each participating partner and a session of speed dating with travel agents. This year 60 travel agents participated during the session in Rotterdam and 50 in Eindhoven. The islands that were represented were Barbados, St. Lucia, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Jamaica and Bonaire.

Participation in these types of events is important to continue promoting Curaçao as a tourism destination which offers perfect vacation packages for relaxation or business.