MARCH 2011 | WWW.SELLINGLONGHAUL.COM
High risers Why Argentina and Chile are filling the Gap
TRAINING FOR THE TRAVEL TRADE
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HONG KONG & MACAU Asia's blossoming twosome
MALDIVES An Indian Ocean success story
LAS VEGAS It's show time in the desert
PHILIPPINES Open skies targets open minds
SELLING AUSTRALIA See our new dedicated section on the latest travel trends down under (p65-74) SLH march covers.indd 1
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CHILE & ARGENTINA
A royal couple As Prince William and Kate Middleton discovered on their Gap Years, neighbours Argentina and Chile have plenty of appeal for both the adventurous and the more conservative UK visitor, says Andy Hoskins
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F E AT U R E C HILE & A R G EN TI N A
A
lthough other destinations where
lakes, forests, snow-capped mountains
its financial crisis. The national tourist
the Royal couple have set foot are
and glaciers, that stretches across the
board has launched an ‘Argentina beats
making a song and dance about it
southern section of the two nations.
to your rhythm’ campaign and is pushing
right now, the charms of Argentina
Both countries have had their share of
road trips on Ruta 40 on the back of the
and, in particular, Chile had Prince
global exposure in the last 12 months,
Dakar Rally. It is Argentina’s longest and
William and Kate Middleton smitten –
with a major earthquake and, of course,
most spectacular road, running along the
along with a few thousand other Brits
the rescue of 33 miners in Chile making
eastern flanks of the Andes for 5,000km.
who discover the region each year.
global headlines, while the famous Dakar
William spent 10 weeks working on a
Chile, meanwhile, boasts the weird and
Rally was again hosted by the two
wonderful Atacama Desert, the port city
charity project in Chile, which Kate
countries due to security fears in Africa,
of Valparaiso, the Torres del Paine
Middleton joined soon after his departure.
its traditional home.
National Park, and mysterious, isolated
Americo Edvadro Soto, the regional
The release of Patagonia this month, a
tourism director for Aysen, says, “The UK
film starring Duffy, will also expose the
market is not big at the moment, but hey,
region’s appeal to a wider audience.
Easter Island among its principal draws. The terrain of both countries has huge influence on the sort of activities on offer,
we have welcomed two of the UK’s
Air access to capital cities Santiago
biggest names, who both spent time
and Buenos Aires is improving, and no
Patagonia and trekking almost anywhere
here during their Gap Year – and we’d
itinerary is complete without a visit to
in the Andes, to kayaking, skiing, fishing
be delighted to welcome William and
them. The latter, known as the Paris of
and mountain-biking, and more sophisti-
Kate back on their honeymoon!”
South America, is a city in which to soak
cated options such as horse-riding and
up the atmosphere of colourful neighbour-
wine-themed stays at estancias and
approval, Soto explains the region’s
hoods like La Boca or indulge in the
vineyards, or a cruise around Patagonia.
tourism goals. “Our target, apart from
continent’s finest food and wines and a
having William and Kate back, is to
sultry tango show – or even a lesson.
attract adventurous travellers with a
Beyond the capital, Argentina’s ‘big
Turismo Chile has appointed Mango PR
passion for activities and sport that like to
ticket’ attractions are the Iguazu Falls on
as its representation company in the UK,
discover new places and people.”
the border with Brazil, the wildlife-rich
with a brief to build Chile’s visibility in
Valdes Peninsula, the Perito Moreno
market. A promotional campaign will
Chile and Argentina, which have an
glacier, Mendoza and its wineries, and the
focus on six themes: culture and
abundance of natural wonders and
goucho culture of the pampas regions.
heritage, natural inspiration, sport and
Having received a royal seal of
The same can be said for much of
inroads in the UK market. Along with Uruguay, they comprise
W H AT ’ S N E W
V
startling scenery and are making genuine
with everything from ice-climbing in
In 2010 the country welcomed over five million visitors for the first time, up from two million in 2002 at the height of
Opposite page: Argentina's arid Salta province; Right: on tour with the Explora Atacama hotel and the Alta Atacama Desert Lodge; Below: Aysen, Patagonia
South America’s ‘Southern Cone’ and are regularly paired together in the itineraries of UK operators. Geographically, they have many similarities. Divided by the Andes mountain range along the length of their border, they both have arid northern regions – the Atacama Desert in Chile and the highlands around Salta in Argentina – as well as picturesque Lake Districts and verdant wine-producing regions. Finally, Patagonia is a land of
Along with Uruguay, Chile and Argentina comprise South America’s ‘Southern Cone’
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F E AT U R E C H I L E & ARG ENTI NA
From The Front Line SARAH BECKWITH MARKET MANAGER FOR ARGENTINA AND CHILE, KUONI
“Chile offers dramatic landscapes and natural beauty, with the Lake District and Patagonia unrivalled. No visit to Chile is complete without experiencing the spectacular fjords and glaciers of the ice-fields and the mind-blowing scenery of Torres del Paine National Park. Argentina, meanwhile, offers a rich history and lively culture. A popular hotel with clients is the Sheraton Iguazu which is the only hotel within the Argentine side of Iguazu National Park.� KATRIN RUMMER PRODUCT MANAGER, LATIN AMERICA, TRAVEL 2
“Chile and Argentina
Patagonia is a land of lakes, forests, mountains and glaciers
appeal to a broad client base that includes nature lovers, adventure seekers and wine and food enthusiasts. As the countries share a very long border with many
V
adventure, food and wine, lifestyle and
entertainment, and health and wellness. The Aysen region of Chilean Patagonia, a two-hour flight from Santiago, is embarking on its own
Houses’ – taking the hotel to a total of
possibilities to cross into the
38 suites – and, unusually, will remain
neighbouring countries, they make
open this winter (the English summer)
for an ideal combination.�
while most in the region close. The Panamericano Buenos Aires, in the centre of the city, has added a new
PRODUCT MANAGER LATIN AMERICA,
signed up Branding Latin America to
220m2 penthouse to its inventory of 362
BALES WORLDWIDE
help it do so.
rooms. It is also home to the well-known
“Our new ‘Boutique
La Luciernaga restaurant, Celtic Bar and
Chile’ tour (from
Tomo 1 restaurant.
ÂŁ4,195pp) is getting
Americas, which represents over 12 partners across Latin America – including Protours Chile and Argentina Travel
Ushuaia’s five-star Los Cauquenes
some great interest
Partners – is celebrating its 20th
Resort & Spa, on the shores of the
from clients and, while in our higher
anniversary and is hosting its eighth
Beagle Channel, will open a new wine
price bracket, it does represent
annual workshop on March 15th-17th at
and cigar bar this year with views of the
great value for money. Discerning
London’s Royal Geographical Society.
spectacular surrounding scenery. It has
clients appreciate that when they
54 guestrooms.
travel with us to remote and iconic
Travel Trade UK is now representing Cruceros Australis, the small expedition
destinations such as Torres del
cruise company based in Patagonia and
T O U R I S M TA L K
Paine, Patagonia, that we choose
Tierra del Fuego.
LEONARDO BOTO
properties where all food and
CHAIRMAN, ARGENTINA’S NATIONAL INSTITUTE
excursions are included and is of the
FOR TOURISM PROMOTION
highest standard available.�
Tierra Atacama in Chile has released details of its 2011 promotions which include a honeymoon deal (four nights
“We’re concentrating on
all-inclusive, various perks and a free
promoting the country’s
WENDY MCNEILL
night in the Ritz-Carlton Santiago) and a
luxury product – that’s our
UK SALES MANAGER, AMERICAS
'kids and teens stay free' deal.
golf courses, our excellent
Kuoni reports one of its most popular hotels in Chile is the Explora en Rapa
Pictured from top to bottom: Taking to the water on a Cruceros Australis expedition; the Explora en Rapa Nui Lodge, Easter Island; and trekking in the vicinity of the Remota Hotel Patagonia.
DAVE ORROCK
promotional push in the UK and has
wines and cuisine, and polo. “We’ll also be placing more emphasis
“Latin America is becoming a worldclass destination that
Nui Lodge on Easter Island. It offers over
this year on promoting areas outside
15 excursions across the island, on foot,
Buenos Aires. It’s important to promote
considerable investment in its
by bike or at sea.
the rest of Argentina too. The north of the
infrastructure and has changed the
country, for example, is beautiful but UK
perception of the region. Destinations
Argentina, has added a new indoor
visitors typically only visit Buenos Aires
like Chile, Uruguay and Colombia
swimming pool and two ‘Patagonian
and Patagonia.�
offer a real ‘wow’ factor.�
Los Sauces hotel in Calafate,
has undergone
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F E AT U R E C HILE & A R G EN TI N A
ALVARO CASTILLA PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
W H E R E TO B O O K I T
GETTING THERE
W&O TRAVEL
British Airways launches a direct daily
The LATA Foundation
0845 277 3366
service between Heathrow and Buenos
AS PART of the Latin American Travel
“Our communications
www.wandotravel.com
Aires at the end of this month, cutting out
Association, the LATA Foundation
strategy in the UK is part
New for 2011 is Highlights of Chile and
the touch-down in Sao Paulo (Brazil).
supports a range of projects to help put
of a wider European
Argentina, taking in Buenos Aires,
campaign to connect with
Bariloche, the Lakes Districts, Torres del
service from Madrid to Cordoba and
contributed to schemes in Brazil,
our target market and inform them about
Paine and Calafate. The 16-day tour is
serves both Buenos Aires and Santiago
Colombia and Guatemala, and is currently
the wealth of experiences we offer in
priced from ÂŁ3,750pp including flights.
from the Spanish capital.
involved with projects in Bolivia,
TURISMO CHILE
Air Europa flies from London Gatwick
Chile. To deliver this campaign we will be working hand-in-hand with our valued
Iberia has launched a four-times-weekly
EXPLORE
via Madrid to Buenos Aires, while LAN,
something back into the region. It has
Venezuela, Mexico, Peru and Argentina. David Gilmour, chairman of the LATA
tourism partners in the UK as well as
0844 499 0901
which also serves Santiago from Madrid,
Foundation, says, “Eventually we want to
carving new and direct routes to market.�
www.explore.co.uk
has introduced flights from Lima, Peru, to
have projects throughout Latin America,
The 16-day Atacama to Paine tour visits
Easter Island and the Iguazu Falls.
but more projects, of course, require
Aerolineas Argentinas is developing
AMERICO EDUARDO SOTO
the Atacama desert, Santiago, the Lakes
REGIONAL DIRECTOR, TOURISM AYSEN, CHILE
District, Punta Arenas and Torres del
Cordoba airport as its first regional hub
America and are not already sponsoring
Paine, from ÂŁ2,976pp including flights.
outside Buenos Aires, beginning with
us, please consider doing so. You don’t
new routes this summer to Iguazu, Salta,
even need to be a member of LATA to
Bariloche and the capital city. The airline
support our work or to attend LATA
0844 272 2040
is offering free onward domestic flights
Foundation events.
for activities such as fly-fishing, trekking,
www.gapadventures.co.uk
for passengers flying from London to
kayaking and horse-riding, all of them
GAP Adventures is pushing a 15-day
Buenos Aires. A two-for-one promotion
enormous amount of interest in our work,
amid magical scenery, in the most
End of the Earth tour. From ÂŁ1,569pp, it
on business class fares comes to a close
both here and in Latin America. Over the
beautiful part of Patagonia. We decided
visits Torres del Paine National Park and
at the end of the month.
last two and a half years since we were
to launch this campaign in the British and
the Perito Moreno glacier, Ushuaia and
the European markets as they tend to be
Buenos Aires, and includes a Beagle
resume services between Amsterdam
good start – but there is still so much
more eco-conscious, while operators will
Channel cruise and a two-night camping
and Buenos Aires this October with a
more that we can do,� says Gilmour.
understand better how to sell Aysen.�
excursion in Torres del Paine.
THREE TIMES WEEKLY SERVICE s
See: www.justgiving.com/lata
“Aysen’s main appeal is that it is an undiscovered and unspoiled part of the world. The region is ideal
GAP ADVENTURES
After an absence of ten years, KLM will
more money. If you are involved with Latin
“It is abundantly clear that there is an
founded, we have made a reasonably
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