Tourism

Thursday, August 22nd 2013 - 00:35 UTC
Rio do Janeiro mayor questions Brasilia’s 2016 Olympic Games policy

The mayor of Rio de Janeiro has said it is a shame his city will be hosting the Olympic Games in 2016 because Brazil lacks a sports policy. Eduardo Paes said that his city should not pay for high performance athletes.
Monday, August 12th 2013 - 01:09 UTC
Brazil to auction Rio do Janeiro and Belo Horizonte airports concessions

An auction to privatize airports in Rio and Belo Horizonte, two host cities for the 2014 World Cup, will be held on October 31, Brazilian authorities have announced.
Friday, August 9th 2013 - 04:30 UTC
Confederations Cup boosted international tourist income in Brazil to record levels

The recent Confederations Cup football tournament helped boost international tourist income to Brazil to record levels in the first half of the year, according to the latest stats from the Brazilian Tourist Board, Embratur.
Friday, August 2nd 2013 - 02:29 UTC
Uruguay extends another 12 months VAT benefits for foreign tourists

Uruguay extended for another twelve months the VAT bonus for those tourists who pay for purchases, lodging and rents with debit cards. The measure was announced this week by Deputy cabinet chief Diego Canepa following a full ministerial meeting and in anticipation of the coming 2013/14 summer season.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 03:50 UTC
Brazilian airport workers on strike but “only 15% of flights cancelled or delayed”

Thousands of Brazilian airport workers went on strike on Wednesday to demand higher wages, although contingency plans kept flights running on time, according to state airport agency Infraero. The workers' union is pressing for a roughly 16% salary bump along with improved benefits such as childcare.
Thursday, July 25th 2013 - 02:25 UTC
Aerolineas Argentinas announces daily flights to New York after five years of absence

Argentina’s state-run airline and flag carrier Aerolíneas Argentinas announced this week it will resume its direct flights to New York that were terminated five years ago. On December 15, the company will be offering a daily flight from Ezeiza airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy airport.
Wednesday, July 24th 2013 - 13:13 UTC
Aurora Expeditions adds new Antarctic gateway in 2014/15

Aurora Expeditions are set to shake up the traditional Antarctic cruise itinerary with the launch of an exciting new ‘Antarctic Gateway’ in their 2014/15 Antarctic program. The Chilean port and nature haven of Puerto Williams will be used as an alternative to the usual Argentinian port of Ushuaia, with voyages either starting or ending on the eco-rich Navarino Island along the Chilean banks of the Beagle Channel.
Monday, July 22nd 2013 - 06:09 UTC
First convictions from the Costa Concordia shipwreck that killed 32 people

A court in Italy has convicted five people of manslaughter over the Costa Concordia shipwreck off Giglio Island which killed 32 people in January 2012. Two officers, the helmsman, the head of cabin service and the head of the crisis team were given up to two years and 10 months in jail for multiple manslaughter, negligence and shipwreck.
Wednesday, July 17th 2013 - 20:21 UTC
Latin America becoming prime destination for medical tourism

The high cost of healthcare has created the lucrative phenomenon of medical tourism. An IPK International survey revealed roughly 3% of the world’s population travels to foreign countries for medical treatment, while Patients Beyond Borders, which publishes international medical travel guidebooks, reported the medical tourism industry is a 40 billion dollars a year business.
Friday, July 12th 2013 - 22:19 UTC
US Airways shareholders approve merger with American Airlines

US Airways shareholders voted to approve the carrier's merger with American Airlines' parent company, AMR Corp. on Friday morning. The formal part of the shareholder meeting in New York lasted about 15 minutes.