Anniversaries

Havana celebrates its 500th anniversary in 2019           

2019 will mark Havana, the capital of Cuba's, 500th birthday. The event will be celebrated throughout the year with an extensive programme of events featuring concerts, performances and parades in the city. Havana was founded in 1519 after the Spanish colonisation and today is a hub of culture, history and tourism that attracts thousands of visitors every year. www.travel2cuba.co.uk

2019 marks 60 years since Fidel Castro led Cubans to victory over Fulgencio Batista and the end of the Batista dictatorship

2019 will mark the 60th year since Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista fled Cuba following the popular revolution that was spearheaded by Fidel Castro's 26th of July movement. On 1 January 1959, Batista and a number of his supporters fled Cuba for the Dominican Republic. Tens of thousands of Cubans, celebrated the end of the dictator's regime on this day. www.travel2cuba.co.uk

65th anniversary of the death of Frida Kahlo  

2019 will also mark the 65th anniversary of the death of iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Considered one of Mexico's greatest artists, Frida Kahlo was known throughout the world for her poignant self-portraits. Ahead of the anniversary of her death, London's V&A is showcasing never been seen before personal artefacts until 4 November. www.visitmexico.com

Tourism Statistics

Costa Rica registers increase in visitor numbers 

The Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) revealed that a total of 40,907 visitors from the UK travelled to Costa Rica in the first half of 2018 – representing an increase of 2.5% compared to the same period in 2017. www.visitcostarica.com

Peru celebrates increase in UK tourism arrivals 

The Peruvian tourism board has registered a steady increase in visitors from the UK since 2010 and from January to April 2018, recorded a 10% increase in UK travellers compared to the same period in 2017. www.peru.travel

Cruise News  

Antarctica 21 introduces new ship   

Antarctica 21 is set to introduce a new ship due to launch in 2019 called the MV Magellan Explorer - a modern expedition vessel custom built for Antarctic air-cruises. The Magellan Explorer has a capacity for 69 passengers, with all cabins featuring private balconies, a living room and a private bathroom. The ship also boasts a glass-enclosed observation lounge, a spacious dining room, a bar, library, gym and a medical clinic. Antarctica 21 offers a variety of itineraries that travel to Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn and Antarctica. www.antarctica21.com

Aurora Expeditions unveils new ship due to launch in October 2019  

Aurora Expeditions has announced the introduction of a new ship called the 'Greg Mortimer' due to launch in October 2019 in Antarctica. The ship combines comfort with practicality, with facilities including a 360-degree open viewing deck, indoor passenger lounge with panoramic windows offering 180-degree views, and a side viewing platforms. Aurora Expeditions will offer guests a variety of expeditions on board the 'Greg Mortimer' and will travel to the Robinson Crusoe islands in Chile, the Corn Islands in Nicaragua, Bay Islands in Honduras and Cuba's Guanahacabibes Peninsula. www.auroraexpeditions.com.au

Ecoventura donates one week of proceeds to Galapagos charity

Ecoventura, has announced that it has donated all proceeds made from trips taken between 2-9 September on luxury vessel, the MV Origin, to the Galapagos Biodiversity & Education for Sustainability Fund (GBESF). The GBESF helps fund research and conservation projects related to biodiversity in the Galapagos Islands. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) in 2019, the CDF and Ecoventura will host a CDF cruise on board Ecoventura's newest luxury yacht, the MV Theory, from 15-22 September 2019. www.ecoventura.com

Tour Operator News

Revealed travel inaugurates new tour to St Helena  

Revealed Travel has inaugurated a new expert-led group tour that travels to St Helena accompanied by journalist Michael Binyon OBE. The trip starts in Cape Town, South Africa before continuing to St Helena where guests will visit Longwood House – Napoloeon's former home on the island, explore national parks, enjoy wildlife spotting and hike to scenic waterfalls. The experience will also include dolphin and whale-watching, a champagne reception at Plantation House – the Governor's Residence, and feature the option for soft adventure recipes such as kayaking, biking and snorkelling. Revealed Travel still has a few spaces left on the 12 night trip departing on 14 November 2018. It is priced from £4,699 per person including international flights in economy class. www.sthelenarevealed.co.uk/escorted-tour-nov-2018/

Rainbow Tours introduces two new Latin America Experiences 

Rainbow Tours has recently launched two new tours including a 'North East Brazil – Dunes and Lagoons' trip in Brazil and a camping experience in Guatemala. Higlights of the 'North East Brazil – Dunes and Lagoons' tour will including travelling in Braziland, exploring the Lencois Maranhenses National Park, spotting wildlife on the Parnaiba delta and passing through sleepy fishing villages on the beaches of Jericoacoara. The eight-day trip is priced from £1,395 per person, based on two adults and excluding international flights. The Guatemala excursion will allow guests to learn about life in a jungle community and visit the archaeological site of Uaxactun on an overnight camping trip in northern Guatemala. On the second day, guests will be given a guided tour of Tikal National Park. Price on request for a two-day excursion. www.rainbowtours.com

Chimu Adventures introduces new Salkantay Trek with Mountain Lodges of Peru

From November 2018, Chimu Adventures will start selling the Salkantay Trek with Mountain Lodges of Peru in three days rather than the usual seven days designed for travellers with limited time. By day, the adventure will trace the path of the Salkantay Trek, exploring trails and the stunning glacial lakes sitting beneath snow-capped mountains. By night, hikers will reside in Mountain Lodges of Peru's signature lodge where they can temper the day's efforts with delicious traditional cuisine and luxury lodging. The trip is priced from $499 per person excluding international flights. www.chimuadventures.com

Andean Trails introduces a new adventure tour in Chile and Argentina  

Latin America specialist Andean Trails has introduced a new tour travelling south through the heart of Chile's Aysen region – the country's most sparsely populated region – to Patagonia. The trip will include kayaking, horse-riding, as well as a multi-day trek on the North Patagonia ice-cap, a visit of Villa O'Higgins and a three-day trek to the Fitzroy peaks. The 11-day tour is priced from £2,500 per person including flights. www.andeantrails.co.uk

Pioneering online trip-builder launched by Surtrek  

Specialist tour operator Surtrek has launched a pioneering online trip-builder called 'Discover Your South America', designed to allow clients to customise their South America holidays. Travellers can shape their trips around a recommended route using one of Surtrek's template itineraries in Peru, the Galapagos, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, with holidays varying from wildlife holidays to culture tours. www.discover-your-south-america.com

Cooking classes and art tours in Valparaiso, Chile with Latitud 90  

Chilean company Latitud 90 is offering a Chilean cuisine experience that includes a visit to local markets in the port town of Valparaiso, followed by a traditional Chilean cooking class during which travellers will learn how to make local dishes. Latitud 90 is also offering travellers the opportunity to learn about the roots of street art with a guided tour in the area of Cerro Alegre – known as being the colourful art hub of the city. Prices are available on demand. www.latitud90.com

Neotropic Expeditions introduce 'Menu of Experiences' 

Neotropic Expeditions has introduced a new 'Menu of Experiences' designed to help guests personalise their holiday itinerary. Travellers can now choose their own add-ons to combine with core programmes in the Galapagos, mainland Ecuador and Colombia, and mix and match the company's family, food-lover, adventure seeker, cultural explorer and community experiences in each destination. www.neotropicexpeditions.com  

Airline News

Air Europa to launch Madrid to Iguazu flight in 2019

From June 2019, Air Europa will launch a new flight from the airline's Spanish hub in Madrid to Iguazu in Argentina. Air Europa will offer two weekly direct flights on Saturdays departing from Madrid at 23.55, arriving in Iguazu at 07.05 on Sundays, and one departing Iguazu on Fridays at 13.25 and arriving in Madrid at 05.00. The airline will also operate flights on Thursdays and Sundays via Montevideo, departing Madrid at 23.55 and arriving in Iguazu at 11.15, and departing Iguazu at 08.35 and arriving in Madrid at 05.10 respectively.  www.aireuropa.com

Iberia introduces premium economy on flights to Havana, Cuba

Iberia has recently announced that from 19 April 2019, premium economy will be available on the airline's daily service to Havana in Cuba, giving passengers the opportunity to travel in more comfort and style. The premium economy cabin provides extra space between rows, wider seats, adjustable head rests, as well as priority boarding and an improved dining service. www.iberia.com

Hotel News

Casa Gangotena introduces new menu and rooftop bar

Quito based luxury hotel, Casa Gangotena, has recently launched a new 'cocina metiza' (traditional Ecuadorian) menu and opened a new rooftop bar that boast spectacular views of the city's old town. Designed by Byron Riviera – a gastronomic director who trained at the 'Cordon Bleu' in Paris – the menu features traditional Ecuadorian dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients. The rooftop bars offers guests an intimate space perfect to relax and unwind after a long day of sightseeing. www.casagangotena.com

Andean Lodges celebrates 12th anniversary 

In celebration of its 12th anniversary, community-based tourism company Andean Lodges, has released a short video expressing its passion for developing a sustainable tourism model that will benefit the indigenous people in the Peruvian Andes. The video features the trail of the Apu Ausangate – an innovative experience in Peru that connects travellers with nature and preserves the environment. The video can be viewed HERE. www.andeanlodges.com

Mashpi Lodge named 'South America's Leading Eco-Lodge 2018'

Luxury eco-lodge Mashpi, Lodge located in the Mashpi Reserve in Ecuador, was named as 'South America's Leading Eco-Lodge 2018' at the World Travel Awards held in September in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The lodge was awarded for its efforts and dedication to protecting and preserving the Ecuadorian eco-system. www.masphi.com

Other News

Events in Peru in 2019

The capital of Peru, Lima, is set to welcome the largest sporting event in the Americas - the 2019 Pan American Games (Pan Am Games), which brings together 6,700 athletes competing in 39 different sports including hockey, athletics, sailing and swimming. Lima 2019 will serve as a qualifying event to the Tokyo 2010 Olympic and Paralympic games and will take place from 26 July to 11 August. Peru will also become the first sole country to host the Dakar Rally in the event's 41 year history. The route, comprised of ten stages, will take place from 6-10 January 2019, starting in Lima travelling through Pisco, Arequipa and San Juan de Marcona. www.lima2019.pe/en /  www.dakar.com

Brazil to welcome the second largest Oktoberfest in the world 

From 3-21 October, Blumenau, located on the east coast of Brazil and south of Sao Paulo, will celebrate the second largest Oktoberfest in the world. For three weeks, the city will come alive with thousands of visitors and locals alike who come together to enjoy the food, beer and traditional dances of the festival. www.oktoberfestblumenau.com.br/ingressos/

LATA members take away a number of awards at Pure 2018

A number of LATA members have been awarded at the Pure Awards 2018, which took place in Marrakech in September 2018. EcoCamp Patagonio and Cascada Expediciones won the Pure Award for Transformational Travel for the 2nd year running. The companies were recognised for their work with the Chilean-born business, Wheel the World, leading tours for disabled and impaired visitors through Torres del Paine National Park. This win comes following their appearance in TIME Magazine's first-ever World's Greatest Places list, in which they were the only Chilean hotel to place.

Tierra Hotels was also a double winner at the awards picking up the top award in the “Mindful Design” category for showing an outstanding example of high-end design that contributes to the emotional experience of the travellers with the newly refurbished Tierra Chiloe, whilst Tierra Patagonia guide - Kineret Munoz - won the “Unsung Hero” prize for spreading her passion for Torres del Paine and Tierra Patagonia. www.ecocamp.travel / www.cascada.travel / www.tierrahotels.com

EcoCircuitos Panama hosts last minute sale

On 27 October 2018, EcoCircuitos Panama will offer an exclusive discount on the 'Journey between the Seas' tour - a four-night trip on board a luxury cruise ship in Panama. Guests will be able to enjoy a 25% discount on bookings made on the day. Highlights of the trip include visiting Panama City, exploring the Panama Canal, learning about traditions of an indigenous community in the Darien River and sailing around the Pearl Islands. With the discount the trip will be priced from £2,490 (original price £3,315) excluding international flights. www.ecocircuitos.com

-Ends-

Editorial notes:

The Latin American Travel Industry (LATA) is represented by LOTUS. For more information a/o images, please contact Kate McWilliams or Lucy Keenan (latapr@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470). For more information on LATA, please visit www.lata.travel