AIRLINE NEWS

AIRPORT OPENS ON ST HELENA

In May 2016 a new airport will open on the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena, making it the world's newest tourism destination accessible by air. St Helena is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom situated 1,800 miles from the coast of South America.

The opening of the airport will bring to an end the isolation of an atoll best known as Napoleon Bonaparte's final place of exile. Once airport certification is confirmed tickets will go on sale with Comair (a BA codeshare partner), who will be operating a weekly flight on Saturdays from Johannesburg. www.sthelenatourism.com

HOTEL NEWS

NEW HOTEL OPENS AT QUITO AIRPORT, ECUADOR

On 1March 2016, Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company is opening a new hotel in Quito Aiport, the capital of Ecuador.

The hotel which will be a 146 room property is the only hotel on the new international airport grounds and is part of a deal to develop and franchise eight hotels in the country under Wyndham Hotel Group. A one night stay in the hotel is priced from £87 based on two people sharing.www.wyndham.com/hotels/ecuador/quito/wyndham-quito-airport/hotel-overview?hotel_id=48923

NEW EXPLORA HOTEL OPENING IN THE SACRED VALLEY, PERU

On 1 July 2016, Explora is opening a brand new hotel in the Sacred Valley in Peru. Reminiscent of the Spanish-colonial haciendas of the 17th century onwards, Explora Valle Sagrado is an airy and contemporary hotel.

Located an hour's drive away from the ancient city of Cusco, the Sacred Valley is an extremely popular destination for visitors given the natural beauty of the area, cultural riches and its position on the way to Machu Picchu.

A ten-day luxury holiday in Peru staying at Explora Valle Sagrado starts from £2,198 per person. The price includes breakfast, full board at Explora, excursions in the Sacred Valley and to Machu Picchu, domestic flights in Peru and transfers. www.explora.com/hotels-and-travesias/sacred-valley-peru

NEW KAYAKING EXPERIENCES IN PERU AT LUXURY HOTEL IN PARACAS, PERU

Luxury Hotel Paracas part of the Libertador Hotels, Resorts & Spas hotel collection in Peru, is offering guests a brand new kayaking experience. The hotel is located in Paracas, a sleepy coastal town in Peru approximately 200km south of Lima, bordering the impressive Paracas National Reserve. The Reserve is home to some of the world's richest wildlife such as penguins, pelicans, dolphins and whales and boasts a desert that extends down to the south of the country.

The hotel offers guests the choice of two kayaking tours, one which leaves from the hotel and takes travellers to Punta Ballenas and the other goes around the famous pre-historic geoglyph named the Paracas “Candelabra” on the northern face of the Paracas peninsula. Both tours take approximately two to three hours during which kayakers can admire some of the wildlife that lives in the Paracas reserve such as penguins and flamingos.

The kayak tours are priced from £25 per person. One night at the hotel in a standard double room is priced from £126 per room based on two people sharing. www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3513&language=en_US

NEW ORGANIC FOOD EXPERIENCE AT HOTEL TAMBO DEL INKA IN URUBAMBA, PERU

Luxury hotel Tambo Del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa hotel is offering a brand new 'From Garden to Table' culinary experience.The hotel is located at the base of Ch'iqun Mountain, overlooking the Vilcanota River and is set deep in the heart of the Sacred Valley in the Peruvian Andes. The hotel includes a luxury spa and indoor/outdoor pool and is the only hotel in the whole of the sacred valley that has its own train that travels to the base of Machu Picchu. The property is only a 50 minute drive away from the vibrant ancient city of Cusco, one of the most famous tourist destinations in Peru.

The new culinary experience offers a chance for guests to learn about Peru's local products and how they are cooked and to taste some of the most delicious recipes in the country. The whole experience is priced from £69 per person.www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3285&language=en_US

COOKING CLASSES AT THE HACIENDA VIRA VIRA HOTEL, CHILE

The Hacienda Hotel Vira Vira located near Pucon in Chile, has launched a brand new cooking class programme. The Vira Vira hotel is a member of Relais & Chateaux and is the only hotel in Chile that offers a farm-to-table dining experience.The new cooking classes give guests an opportunity to learn about Chilean products, cooking styles and traditional dishes, both Chilean in nature as well as the local Mapuche indigenous cuisine.

The classes take place daily with Chef Damian Fernandez who will show guests the typical kind of local products found in the Araucania region and Chile in general, as well as showcase the wines being produced in the country today. The prices of the cooking classes are included in the room rates. Three night's in a standard room at the Haceienda Vira Vira hotel are priced from £1,349 based on two people sharing and excluding international flights from the UK. The price includes all meals, beverages, excursions and activities, and transfers to and from the airport and bus terminals.  www.hotelviravira.com

TOUR OPERATOR NEWS

TREKKING IN THE COLOMBIAN ANDES WITH KE ADVENTURES

KE Adventures has launched a brand new 15-day trekking holiday in Colombia. The holiday is divided into two treks that take travellers across two contrasting parts of the Colombian landscape: jungle and mountain.

The first trek heads across the Eastern Cordillera in the 'Colombian Andes' exploring the high and rugged valleys beneath the peaks of Pan de Azucar (5100m) and Toti (4975m) mountains. The second heads further down in the foothills and jungle of the isolated massif of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and is guided by two local Indian guides. The adventure also includes a trip to the archaeological site known as Teyuna or the Lost City, Colombia's equivalent of Machu Picchu. The trip is priced from £2,555 including return flights from London to Bogota. The price also includes transfers, 14 nights' accommodations, and entry fees to sights, breakfast, 12 lunches and 10 dinners. www.keadventure.com

HONEYMOONING ACROSS GUATEMALA AND MEXICO WITH LAST FRONTIERS

Last Frontiers is offering a new honeymoon option for travellers looking for an adventurous and exciting overland journey in Latin America. The holiday starts in Guatemala's colonial capital Antigua and finishes on Mexico's turquoise Caribbean shores, travelling through the Mayan heartland. The final three nights are spent relaxing on the secluded beaches of Tulum on Mexico's Riviera Maya.The holiday is priced from £5,800 per person and includes 19 nights bed and breakfast accommodation, private excursions and a private driver in Guatemala and car hire in Mexico.www.lastfrontiers.com/itineraries/guatemala-to-mexico-overland

SAIL AROUND THE BAY OF PANAMA WITH ECOCIRCUITOS

EcoCircuitos Panama has launched a brand new sailing tour in the Bay of Panama. Private tours are available and include day trips to Taboga Island, also known as the Island of Flowers, evening charters in the Bay of Panama during which guests can admire Panama City's skyline whilst navigating past ships waiting to cross the canal.

The tour takes travellers under the famous Bridge of the Americas, through the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks and sails through the renowned Culebra Cut to the town of Gamboa. Overnight sailing options are also available to the Cantador Island. Prices for the sailing tour are available upon request and are depend on how many people participate and availability. For more information contact Ecocircuitos on 1-800-830-7142 or visit www.ecocircuitos.com  

LUXURY HOLIDAYS IN CUBA AND COSTA RICA WITH HIGHLIVES TRAVEL

HighLives Travel has launched three new luxury tours that provide adventurous travellers with fresh and novel experiences whilst allowing them to enjoy their journey in comfort and in style. HighLives Travel has sought out the best high-end accommodation across the country to offer comfort and style to guests. During the daytime, guests will be treated to a range of themed excursions, including an art deco architecture tour in Havana, and will enjoy being transported in an iconic vintage car. The holiday is priced from £2,700 per person excluding international flights from the UK and based on two people sharing.  www.highlives.co.uk/culture-history/cuba-luxury-tour

In Costa Rica, HighLives Travel's new Costa Rica Rejuvenation tour is a health and wellbeing package that takes guests to four of the country's most exclusive spa retreats. Travelling deep into the rainforest, far from the crowds, guests will enjoy a range of the newest and most innovative treatments and workshops designed to improve their mental and physical wellbeing and to promote peace and relaxation.The holiday is priced from £4,100 per person based on two people sharing a double room and excluding international flights from the UK. www.highlives.co.uk/wellness/costa-rica-rejuvenation

HighLives Travel has also developed an Adventure and Nature tour in Costa Rica that focuses on the very best luxury accommodation that is family-friendly. Guests of all ages experience plenty of adventure and excitement, including zip lining through the rainforest, kayaking through mangroves and hiking up volcanoes.The family holiday is priced from £2,800 per person including internal flights, excluding international flights based on two adults and two children (under 11 years) sharing a double room.  www.highlives.co.uk/activity/costa-rica-adventure-and-nature-for-families

TOURISM NEWS

NEW YETI BAR OPENS IN EL CALAFATE, ARGENTINA

Glacio Bar, the first ice bar in Argentina has opened in El Calafate, a part of the country famous for its towering glaciers.The bar is located inside El Calafate's Glacier museum, Glacarium, inaugurated earlier this year. Glacio Bar is maintained at -10°c meaning that capes and thick furs are a must have when entering the property. Entrance to the bar is priced at approximately £1 for a twenty-minute visit and all the alcohol visitors can drink! The Bar is open from 11 am until 8pm every day and has a maximum capacity of 25 people. www.yetiicebar.com.ar

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