The number of foreign tourists arriving in Argentina during the first half of 2007 increased 17.4% reaching 1.037.226, reported the Argentine Tourism Secretariat.
The number of foreign tourists arriving in Chile during the first half of 2007 increased 11.7% reaching 1.316.936, according to a release from the country's National Tourism Service, Sernatur. In money terms this is equivalent to 818 million US dollars, up 6%.

Panama and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. agreed this week to make Panama the starting point for some of its tour operations in a bid to boost the cruise operator's presence in the region and to attract more tourists to the Central American country.

The president of Brazil's airports agency Infiero Jose Carlos Pereira rejected point blank Monday suggestions that Brazil should accept international help to overcome the air space situation.

Chaos in Brazilian civil aviation peaked Monday with 38% of flights delayed and another 20% cancelled, reported Infraero the agency which manages the country's airports.

Peru celebrated Sunday Pisco Day promising to improve the quality of the grape distilled alcohol, but above all defend its domestic origin form neighboring Chile, which also claims such a title. The dispute has reached the World Organization of Intellectual Property.

Following Brazil's deadliest air disaster that killed over 200 people federal prosecutors sought a court order to shut down the entire Congonha airport, Brazil's busiest, until the investigation into the crash was completed.
Half a million foreign tourists arrive every year to Ushuaia in the extreme south of Argentina attracted by its wild life, numerous marine species and Antarctica which has become the natural magnet and challenge for visitors looking for exotic destinations.

The year 2007 has started on a higher than expected note for global tourism. From January through April, international tourist arrivals worldwide rose by over 6% to 252 million, representing an additional 15 million arrivals as against the same period in 2006, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.

An Argentine group firmly established in Patagonia is interested in participating in the tender for management of two of Chile's extreme south airports, Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales according to reports in the local press.