Blog
Praise for Ecuador’s promotion of “conscious tourism” as rules are tightened for visitors to the Galapagos Islands - 16/11/11
Ecuador has confirmed a new set of regulations will be implemented for cruise routes and frequencies to and around the Galapagos Islands. Tour operators have until February 2012 to incorporate the Galapagos National Park Authority’s new regulations, which are designed to protect the local animal and plant life, into their travel programmes.
The new Galapagos National Park regulations will allow guests of the on-site tour operators to stay a maximum of four nights and five days per ship, with a frequency of four landings within any 14-day period. For the past 14 years, the archipelago’s 150,000 annual visitors have been mainly concentrated on the three islands of Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. The visitor redistribution that will be achieved by the opening up of other islands, and altering route frequencies, will also reduce fuel consumption and the overall amount of pollution emitted by the yachts, boats and ships working the islands. With the new system, the ports on Santa Fe and Tagus Cove will again be accessible. The islands of Española, Genovesa and Fernandina will also now permit the arrival of smaller boats, allowing visitors to see rare species like the red-footed booby, the albatross, the flightless cormorant and various mimids.
The new regulations and the protection of nature go hand in hand with the concept of “conscious tourism,” an idea developed by Ecuador. The concept includes previous strategies such as sustainable and ethical tourism, and adds to them the personal experience of friendship, respect, and the love that leads to inner growth. With “conscious tourism” Ecuador is asking every visitor to experience the country in keeping with its nature and its people.
We take this opportunity to show you our featured animal of the month from Ecuador, the Anaconda.
The word anaconda comes from the Tamil word anaikolra, which means elephant killer!
Machu Picchu news
Following UNESCO recommendations, Peruvian authorities have placed a restriction on the number of visitors to Machu Picchu. The maximum number of people allowed to visit the ruins is now 2,500 people daily. Saspo would like to applaud the actions of the Peruvian authorities to protect the ruins. Nevertheless, these new restrictions do make it harder to visit Machu Picchu!
We would therefore like to suggest the following:
- Send us details of your clients wishing to visit Machu Picchu as soon as possible. The earlier the better!
- If your clients are spending the night at Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes and plan to revisit the ruins the next day, please request entrance tickets for their 2nd day also to avoid disappointment.
In order to purchase the entrance tickets, we need passengers’ full name, nationality, age and gender.
Huayna Picchu
Similar restrictions are now in place for entry to Huayna Picchu mountain. There are now 2 daily entrances at 0700-0800 hours and 1000-1100 hours and no more than 200 people for each of these daily entrances will be allowed to climb Huayna Picchu. The entrance to Huayna Picchu MUST be purchased in conjunction with the purchase of the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu and must be purchased at the same time. Please check with your clients if they would like to have this entrance ticket included.
World Travel Market 7-10 Nov 2011
Diana and Ursula along with many of our Saspo partners (listed below) will be at WTM this year as usual and look forward to seeing you there.
Marco Palacios - Top Dest Argentina
Jean Jacques Valloton - Turismo Balsa Bolivia
Diego Barrera - Vitramar Colombia
Bernd Herman - Cuba Real Tours Cuba
Alejandro Valadares - STP Guatemala
Victor Venegas - DMC Chile
Verena Knopp - SAT Mexico
Mario Gutierrez - Viatur Costa Rica
Roberto Teran - Ecuadorian Tours Ecuador
Diego Velasco and Miguel Velasco - Coltur Peru
Mary Bone - Turisport Venezuela
For appointments or further informatiion please contact Saspo UK on tel. 020 7223 1035 or by email at info@saspouk.com
Puyehue Volcano and the ash situation - 20/10/2011
Puyehue Volcano in Chile is still producing small but intermittent eruptions and some of the airports in Patagonia are still being affected by the ash from time to time.
Airports are gradually returning to their regular flight schedules but some flights to and from Bariloche, Esquel, Trelew and Puerto Madryn airports may be delayed, rescheduled or cancelled. A complimentary bus transfer service is also being offered between Esquel and Bariloche airports in case of airport closure in the lake district region. We are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated about any changes that may be required for your clients' travel arrangements.
Machu Picchu- restricted access during centenary celebrations- 7/4/2011
There will be restricted access to Machu Picchu on the 6th and 7th July 2011. This measure has been enforced by the Regional Direction of Culture Cusco as a result of the planned centenary celebration 'Machu Picchu for the World'. For anyone who has booked or is considering booking a trip to the famous site during this period, please bear the following in mind:
1. The entrance fees to Machu Picchu will not be available on July 6th and 7th, including the Inca Trail.
2. People who have purchased tickets in advance to Machu Picchu for these days, will be able to use the same ticket as entrance on July 8th, 9th or 10th.
3. People who have purchased a ticket to Machu Picchu through the Inca Trail, will be able to visit Machu Picchu until 10:00 am on July 6th and 7th, also the same tickets will be valid on July 8th, 9th or 10th, 2011.
Make Guatemala your next sustainable holiday!- 6/4/2011
It gives us great pleasure to announce that our partner office in Guatemala has recently received the 'Rainforest Alliance Verified Brand' in recognition to it's hard work and committment to sustainable tourism.
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour. Tourism companies that demonstrate progress toward minimizing their environmental footprint and supporting their workers, local cultures and surrounding communities receive the Rainforest Alliance Verified mark.
So now is the perfect time to send your clients on an unforgettable, sustainable tourism trip to beautiful Guatemala!
La Gran Aventura is Back!- 4/4/2011
Following a thorough investigation by the Argentine Naval Command of all the boats belonging to the supplier of this activity, we are pleased to announce that the Gran Aventura boat trip has passed the investigation and is once again available to visitors of the incredible Iguazu Falls.
La Gran Aventura closed until further notice- 24/3/2011
Following the tragic accident that occured early this week, La Gran Aventura boat tour which takes place on the Argentine side of the Iguazu falls has been cancelled until further notice. This will allow for a full and thorough investigation to take place to ensure the future safety of this tour.
As yet, we do not know when the tour is likely to resume however, we will keep you informed of any changes.
Exlusive trip to one of the Modern Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu- 10/3/2011
Anyone who has been lucky enough to have visited Machu Picchu will tell you it is one of the most fascinating places on earth. With the 100 year anniversary of Hiram Binghams famous discovery of this 'Lost City' fast approaching (July 24th), our partners in Peru have created an incredible itinerary to commemorate this historic moment.
One of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a must-see for all travel enthusiasts. And what better way to learn about this wonderful city than on a guided trip with hand-picked specialists including famous National Geographic expedition leader Peter Frost.
Spaces are limited so you will need to act now to ensure your clients do not miss out. Alternatively, where you think demand will be high enough, we would be delighted to create a similar private group tour exclusively for your company.
Call us today for details of the trip and more information!
KLM offers direct flights from Amsterdam to Buenos Aires- 20/2/2011
Dutch airline KLM has recently launched a direct service operating between Amsterdam and Buenos Aires EZE airport which will operate three times a week during the upcoming winter season with an increase to 4 times a week from March 2012.
Flight KL707 will depart from Amsterdam Schipol Airport at 10.10am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday arriving in Buenos Aires at 8.20pm on the same day.
Flight KL708 will also depart on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10.20pm arriving the following day at 3.35pm.
These flights are welcome news for the travel industry as Latin America becomes more and more accesible to the long haul traveller.
Aerolineas free transfer between EZE & AEP airports- 7/12/2010
From today, all Aerolineas Argentinas bookings made by agents will include a free transfer between the international Ezeiza airport and the domestic Jorge Newberry airport where necessary. This fantastic offer is valid only for same day connections and exclusively to Aerolineas & Austral customers. The transfers will be carried out by the Manuel Tienda Leon shuttle service.
Argentina, Iguazu entrance fees increased- 2/12/2010
From 1st January 2011, the National Park entrance fees for the Argentine side of Iguazu falls will increase by US$ 6. The Brazilian side will remained unchaged.
Brazil World Cup 2014 dates confirmed!- 27/10/2010
The dates for the eagerly anticipated 2014 World Cup in Brazil have been confirmed. The tournament returns to Brazil from the 13th June until the 13th July 2014. It will be the second time Brazil have hosted this prestigious competition, and they will hope to go one better this time around having lost to Uruguay in the final at the Maracana Stadium in 1950.
This will be the first World Cup to be held in South America since the 1978 World Cup in Argentina and football fever is sure to capture not only Brazil, but the whole of Latin America.
Galapagos removed from UNESCO danger list - 30/7/2010
The Galapagos Islands have been removed from the UNESCO danger list following the recommendations of a Brazilian backed committee. The list is a collection of precious sites identified as being endangered by environmental threats and overuse through sheer volume of tourists.
A UN panel has voted to remove the Galapagos Islands from this list highlighting the significant progress made by the Ecuadorian authorities in addressing the issues and threats faced by the Islands, famed for their incredible and unique wildlife and landscapes.
Corcovado Restored! - 1/7/2010
After months of restoration work, the world-famous Christ the Redeemer monument is now completely restored. Visitors will be able to enjoy this magnificent statue as it stands gleaming in all its former glory. And from the 15th July, the cog-wheel train which runs up to the statue will also open again after it was damaged in the recent heavy rains and flooding. With all this work completed, there really never has been a better time to visit Corcovado and Rio de Janeiro!
