Our country received the “Best integral assessment Program” distinction in the last edition of the most important luxury tourism industry event worldwide, last held in Las Vegas.
With the purpose of positioning the Argentine Republic in the specialized segment of luxury tourism, the National Ministry of Tourism, through the National Institute of Tourism Promotion (INPROTUR), successfully participated in this new edition of Virtuoso Travel Week, Las Vegas, United States of America, from August 12th to the 18th, 2017.
Our country initiated their participation last Sunday morning with a presentation along with Buenos Aires City Tourism Entity and three On-Site Virtuoso Operators. On Monday night, INPROTUR and Buenos Aires entertained the main travel agents responsible of promoting our country at the Destination Showcase Dinner, where Argentina had the opportunity to host three tables. Besides, a breakfast was provided on Tuesday with a brief training course for travel agents and operators.
The hard work and participation of Argentina in recent years with the Virtuoso network has been recognized in this edition with the award for the best comprehensive assessment program. “INPROTUR demonstrates a great commitment to excellence and product knowledge, qualities highly valued by this network,” said Albert Herrera, President of Global Product Partnerships for Virtuoso. “This award places Argentina in a very exclusive place, being recognized within Virtuoso partners, as leaders within the industry. ”
Virtuoso is the largest network of luxury tourism operators in the world. American-based, it brings together 10,000 elite travel specialists in 25 countries in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa, as well as over 1,700 of the world’s top travel suppliers and Destinations of first level.
The meeting brought together more than 5,700 professionals among travel agency owners, hotels, consultants and specialists, as well as some of the world’s leading tourist destinations focused on the luxury segment.
Argentina had more than 290 appointments with sellers of the most exclusive destinations. During which different destinations along the country were presented, emphasizing wine and gastronomy, natural and cultural landscapes, history and, of course, a wide variety of services with great quality.
Overall, there has been an excellent reception of the new measures adopted, such as the elimination of 21 percent of VAT on accommodation for foreign tourists and the termination of collection of the reciprocity rate for Americans and Australians, among others.
The World Heritage Committee has recently inscribed Los Alerces National Park on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Los Alerces National Park is located in the Andes of northern Patagonia, 30 miles (50 km) from Esquel city, and has a western boundary which coincides with the Chilean border.
Successive glaciations have molded the landscape in the region creating spectacular features such as moraines, glacial cirques and clear-water lakes.
However, the real attraction is the Alerce tree, one of the longest-living species on the planet with specimens that have survived up to 4000 years. Lured by the acclaim of well-known parks to the north and south, most hikers miss this gem, which makes your visit more enjoyable!
Bettina Torchiana, a member of our MICE Department, with 10 years of experience in the area, tells us about her experience in Atacama Desert: “Remote places are not only far away, they are also an opportunity to re-encounter with life itself”
San Pedro de Atacama is the base for touring the spectacular Atacama Desert, the most arid desert in the world and where dozens of natural attractions makes it the ideal destination for nature lovers.
The Explora Hotel is the perfect combination for those seeking adventure but luxury service as well, which are fully compatible even when our previous ideas makes us think otherwise.
Explora is the true reflection of this, where through unique circuits we can enjoy the natural environment without leaving aside the enjoyment for the excellence in service, the personalized attention, details surprising us at every moment and the exquisite gastronomy.
Do not miss this paradise by the hand of Explora Hotel. I assure you it will be an experience that will remain in your memory.
Lima is not just a “stopover.” It’s the gastronomic capital of the Americas
Some people visiting Peru avoid Lima altogether. It’s a huge mistake. Everyone going to Peru should spend at least a day savoring its brilliant food. According to Bloomberg, Lima holds three of the world’s 50 best restaurants.
Peru’s cuisine is heavily influenced by both Chinese and Spanish traditions. Dishes are crafted with an array of seafood mixed with unique Andean ingredients. So, if you decide to stay in Lima and go on a food safari but the lack of reservations or funds, we suggest that you do a bit of research and check these other mid-range priced restaurants with menus to rival some of the most exclusive places.
Machupicchu is not a photo opportunity or a trek to cross off the bucket list, but a chance to learn about a unique time in human history
Please avoid spending all your time behind the lens of a camera. Immerse yourself in the beauty and atmosphere of this spectacular site. Machupicchu deserves human reverence and respect, which treating it as a photo op does not represent.
Machupicchu was the zenith of a civilization that placed the needs of its people and mother earth “Pachamama” above everything else. This site is perhaps the most beautiful open-air classroom in the Western Hemisphere to learn about human resilience. Machupicchu is not for selfies.
To ensure you get the best experience out of your visit, watch this video before you make your trip; if you are a reader, these books might get you on a good footing to fully engage with the lessons from your guides.
Coca leaves are not cocaine.
Despite what so many believe, the coca plant is not cocaine as it is usually portrayed in the western world. For the people who live in the Andean mountains of Peru and Bolivia, coca is an ancient medicinal and spiritual plant. It was initially domesticated about 5000 years ago. The plant has been an essential part of the religious belief system of the Andean people. In fact, coca leaves are to the Andean and Amazonian people what the cross is to Christianity, i.e. coca leaves are used in rituals specific to “Pachamama” or Mother Earth.
The consumption of this plant as a food source by the Andean people is well documented. Coca leaves supply the body with high amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Contrary to popular belief, chewing these leaves as the Andean people regularly do does not cause any stimulant or euphoric effects, nor does the practice causes any dependency.
Coca leaves are often confused with cocaine, the drug that is synthesized via a combination of chemical reactions with chemicals such as sulfuric acid, kerosene, chlorine amongst others. The production and distribution of cocaine are the outcomes of a global chain of supply and demand that involves many powerful stakeholders, in which coca farmers are the lowest workers in a huge network of businesses and people seeking profit.
Global warming is a fact, and the evidence is clear in all the places you will visit in Peru
You would do well to become aware of the recent natural disasters affecting Northern Peru. Landslides, floods and torrential rains wreaked havoc throughout cities and the countryside killed many people and left thousands of others homeless.
Climate scientists believe that this wave of natural disasters was triggered by a very unusual “El Niño” phenomena. This kind of “El Niño’ is a manifestation of a global warming problem. A trip to northern Peru will surely be enough to convince you of the severity of this situation. It is estimated that by 2050 most glaciers in Peru’s Andean range reaching 18,000 feet and below will disappear due to planetary warming.
When you hike the Salkantay trek to Machupicchu, you will witness the enormous number of dry rivers that once used to carry water coming from the glaciers. The impact of this loss of glaciers can be seen in the struggle for water that local farmers confront every day. In turn, this situation is already affecting the chain of food production and the subsequent rise in prices of these goods.
Ayahuasca is not just DMT – getting high on it has negative effects for the Amazonian people.
Ayahuasca has been part of the Amazonian medicinal and spiritual usage for centuries. It has always had traditional uses by jungle shamans who have sought through its use, a connection with a higher spiritual world of their own. Its use is intrinsically related to their belief of a “visión del Mundo” or cosmovision.
In recent years, however, the consumption of this drink has become commercialized, part of a tourist industry. If you Google “Ayahuasca,” you will find so-called “shamans” from Scandinavia and Canada to New York and Los Angeles. The purpose of these gatherings is not to perform ritual healings but rather to fall into a state of hallucination that does not correspond to the Amazonian cosmovision.
Similar gatherings occur in the Amazon jungle where some of the locals have facilities to host foreigners who can pay money to become high on Ayahuasca. This practice is not the true traditional use of Ayahuasca and will not be correctly understood by those partaking in it. Rather, this represents a form of cultural appropriation and exploits the traditional usage of this culturally significant brew.
If you truly wish to experience Ayahuasca for healing purposes, then seek out local traditional users, elders, and shamans. You will then have the complete experience of not only the drink but the cultural significance it plays within the Amazonian people.
The Southern Hemisphere provides wonderful opportunities for observing the stars and nowhere more so than in the Coquimbo Region of Chile. For it is here that many international observatories are found because of the remarkably clear atmosphere, the stable climate and the distance from the distraction of city lights.
This also makes it a haven for amateur astronomers who wish to observe the stars from a vantage point second to none in this region. The opportunity to see the magic of the skies unfold before you in one of the few places where you can see up to the eighth magnitude with the naked eye and whose geographical position is such that you can see the centre of the galaxy with ease.
Advance planning before visiting this Region could include a study of the local moon charts before making a reservation in order to avoid the new moon and to study the different constellations according to the seasonal changes. This is also an ideal place to take your own telescope providing a unique opportunity to use your own equipment.
The major scientific observatories have limited daytime visiting times and all need Advance Reservations. El Tololo, Las Campanas and La Silla are the three major scientific observatories in the area among amateurs touristic ones. Bookings have to be done in advance (recommended 3 months prior to visit) in order to get pass collected the day prior to the visit.
INFOBA DMC Argentina is proud to be the local DMC that has made two unique incentive experiences in the entire regional MICE market, turning the “impossible” into reality, generating travel experiences that remain in the memory of all participants.
Passion Experience was born in 2011, in order to transmit the Argentinean Passion within the organizational culture of a foreign company. The idea emerges in partnership with a Scandinavian company and Boca Juniors Soccer Club Famous Organized Supporters, called La N 12. Passionate and noisy, they are the most famous fans in the world for its triumphal spirit. They considered themselves as the Team Player No. 12 because of their important presence at the time of the match.
The guests of that event crossed the pedestrian street of the traditional Caminito, in La Boca neighborhood. At the end of the walk they were surprised by 1000 Boca Juniors supporters, who went along with them the 500 meters that lead to the mythical “Bombonera” (Boca Juniors Club stadium). Between songs, jumps, music and flags, our visitors experienced the ritual that every Sunday breathes in the games.
