Feb 24, 20232 min read

Why South American Destinations for Tourism are Rising Up.

According to a report by ALTA (Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association), by the end of 2018, fourteen new regional and international air routes were opened, with the goal of providing better connections between Latin America and the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Additionally, the hotel sector considers Latin America as a growth focus for their industry.

Increased tourist demand in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico has led international hotel chains to desire a stronger presence in the region. Rufino Perez, COO & Global Transformation Leader of the NH Hotel Group chain, affirmed that the group will open 11 new hotels in Latin America to cater to expected demand.

The tourism sector has been transformed by the use of e-commerce. In a population where 60% of people have access to the Internet, more and more Latin travellers are using different mobile applications and internet platforms to reserve hotels, book tours and organize transport, foregoing traditional travel agencies.

What Does Latin America Have to Offer?

Despite social and political problems faced by Latin America, many nations have the chance to present their finest attributes through tourism. Visitors travel from Europe and North America to experience its natural beauty, landscapes, and rich history.

According to a study conducted by Axon Latam, the top reasons for foreign tourists to visit Latin America are:

Landscapes and nature accounted was 25%
Adventure tourism, which included unique land and sea environments was 23%
The historical significance of pre-Columbian societies and colonialism in Latin America was 22%
Finally, the desire to experience and taste the vast cuisine of the different regions was 18%.

Recently, visitors from Asia have also grown, motivated by their taste for exotic multi-nation trips.

Additionally, ethnic-tourism has been encouraged in places such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and parts of the Amazon rainforest in Colombia, along with the Cusco region in Peru. This gives visitors a closer look at the native and indigenous cultures, past and present.

Myself, I enjoy the culture, food and exceptional value. Enjoy this photo collage from my first year in Ecuador & Colombia.