Recommend August 2014 - (Page 29)

latinamerica tour operators do the talking carla hunt No sector of the travel industry has been more important in opening up new vacation horizons in Latin America than tour operators. They invest in the research, do the leg work, and point the way with new and ﬂexible travel products. And for travel agents, tour operators bring destination knowledge and experience to the travel planning table. For our Latin America coverage, Recommend often checks in with these folks about what's hot, and indeed we like to know what's new on their own sales shelf. FERNANDO LOMBARDI BRAZIL All eyes have been on Brazil during the exciting World Cup 2014 and will continue to be as the country revs up for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. "Certainly those events have produced an uptick in inquiries and bookings for Brazil," says Jennine Cohen, managing director for the Americas, GeoEx. Cohen reports that while Brazil is not a company best-seller, it is a destination GeoEx presents with regional programs that put the accent on great and adventurous experiences and are offered on a customized basis rather than scheduled departures. "Launching just this fall is our Northeastern Brazil: The Soul of Bahia, a 10-day itinerary embracing cultural touring, day hiking, beach time in Salvador, Chapada Diamantina and Trancoso. By focusing more in-depth on the many splendid cultural and natural attractions of the state of Bahia," Cohen points out, "clients will not be spending a lot of time ﬂying the great distances that are necessary to cover the iconic sites in this immense country; however, we fully expect people will be adding on Rio either coming or going." Also, she believes that this itinerary, with a lot of physical activity and interactive features, will appeal to a young client demographic. Touch down for the tour is Salvador, where travelers stay at Villa Bahia and tour the UNESCO World Heritage listed Pelourinho neighborhood; explore the Sao Joaquim market; attend a folkloric performance; and visit a capoeira dance school. They then ﬂy on to Chapada Diamantina to savor the vistas of dramatic mesas, hike the lush gorges of Capao Valley, and explore caves and soak in waterfalls. Hotel Canto das Aguas is home base in Lençois, while in Palmeiras, guests stay at Pousada Lagoa das Cores. Afterwards, travelers ﬂy on to Trancoso, for beach-lolling and other activities, while staying in a luxe bungalow at Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa. For each of two guests, the trip cost is $7,755, for each of four guests, $6,875. Top: A spa treatment room at Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa. Left: GeoEx guests visit the Morro do Pai Inacio in Bahia. august 2014 29 29-32 LA TourOps.indd 29 7/23/14 12:21 PM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2014

Editor’s Notes
Hotel Desk Chic & New
Tour Talk FAMs to Latin America & Beyond
Uniworld’s S.S. Catherine
The Dish on Las Vegas
The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club
Lanai, Hawaii
CANCUN & RIVIERA MAYA
Double the Charm in Cancun
Grand Residences Riviera Cancun
Tour Operators Do the Talking
The Beat Goes on for Thai Tourism
A Love Affair with Puerto Rico & Four Grand Personalities
Punta Cana’s Melia Caribe Tropical—The Level
Sandals LaSource Resort & Spa, Grenada
On the Tracks in France
Antwerp Sparkles Like a Diamond
Southern Africa

Recommend August 2014