April, 2005 www.LatinEPR.com LatinEPR News Wire
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COMMUNICATIONS/MEDIA
Telemundo Reaches Puerto Rican Community With New Network
In February 2005, Telemundo extended its reach into the US Hispanic community with the introduction of Telemundo Puerto Rico. The new network, available in over 1.2 million homes, features more than 35 hours of Puerto Rico-related news a week, in addition to a variety of programming, such as music video shows with Puerto Rican artists, boxing matches, and a morning show.
National Geographic in Honduras
The Honduran government is the first official country to adopt the ‘geotourism’ strategy, a concept developed by the Nacional Geographic Society. ‘Geotourism’ signifies tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic and cultural heritage of a place, as well maintaining the well-being of its people. The National Geographic Society plans to work together with Honduras to facilitate this program, first creating a National Geographic Geotourism Map Guide. With the assistance of other partners, Honduras is also setting up an educational center for ecotourists, students, and scientists called the SAVE Center.
Disney Channel Finds Home on Argentina’s Multicanal
This March, the Disney Channel became available to subscribers of Argentina’s Multicanal. The network has specially designed programming that is geared towards Latin American families and their interests.
Chilean Media Group Copesa Buys Radio Duna
Copesa, the second largest media company in Chile, has expanded its inventory with the purchase of Radio Dona, the most popular station among high income listeners. The multi-media organization already publishes the Chilean newspapers La Tercera, La Cuarta, and La Hora, as well as the weekly magazine Que Pasa.
Televisa Earnings Up 34% For 2004
A 14% rise in sales for the Mexican media giant, Grupo Televisa S.A., boosted net earnings for the fourth trimester of 2004 up to US$170 million. The increase signified a 30% improvement over the same period of the previous year. Although sales were strong for almost all Televisa products, those for its new satellite distributor, Sky Mexico, which was launched in April 2004, were integral to the company’s end of the year success.
BBC World Severs Ties with SuperCable in Venezuela
The international network BBC World has announced that, following unsuccessful negotiations with SuperCable in Venezuela, it will no longer be distributed by the cable company. The decision affects 57,000 SuperCable subscribers. However, BBC World will maintain its presence in the country via DirecTV and the cable distributor NetUno, as well as through its BBC World radio service, for which schedules are available on the BBC World website.
CNN en Español
CNN en Español, the first 24-hour news network CNN has produced in a language other than English, will be available through cable and DTH in over 12 million Latin American homes, as well as in more than 2.6 million homes in the US.
Reality Show in Cuzco
Argentine televisión producer, Marcelo Acebedo, has announced the development of a new reality show called “El desafio del Inca” (The Inca Challenge.) The show will be taped in the impressive city of Cuzco and is intended to promote Peru’s culture, history, and geography.
NYT Foundation Course on Environment
A dozen experienced journalists from around the United States will focus on environmental threats during a week immersion course sponsored by the New York Times Company Foundation. The immersion course will use lectures, workshops, discussion and fieldwork in the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana) to present the latest information about the impact of environmental change on global warming, drinking water, fisheries, emerging infectious diseases and local economies. Directed by the Center for Environmental Research and Conservation (CERC) at the Earth Institute of Columbia University, the institute will explore the increasing vulnerability to tsunamis and other environmental catastrophes. The program seeks to explain matters such as why: Forests and coral reefs disappear. Ground water retreats. Diseases jump from other species to our own. Animal and plant species change their ranges. The course is one of six on complex subjects of rising importance to the press and public. DR1
LATIN AMERICAN TRAVEL AND TOURISM STATS AND NEWS BRIEFS
Torres del Paine Park Fire out of Control
Hundreds of firemen, soldiers and volunteers were desperately fighting for 30 days a fire that broke out in the world known Torres del Paine Park in Chilean Patagonia. Extreme drought conditions have turned the Park’s woods and grasslands highly flammable. Thousands of hectares of natural forest, dating back centuries, and wildlife habitats were consumed by the fire which was accidentally started by a foreign camper who dropped a small gas stove and couldn’t prevent the flames from advancing, pushed by strong winds. He admitted his responsibility (negligence) and was given the maximum sentence for such involuntary cases: a fine equivalent to 230 US dollars, and set free to leave Chile. The last dramatic situation dates back to 1985 when 14,000 hectares were lost to fire. Torres del Paine, a biosphere reserve is considered one of the main attractions of southern Chile and is 400 kilometres north of Punta Arenas, next to Puerto Natales.
El Salvador Works with World Tourism Organization
El Salvador has been elected by the World Tourism Organization to launch a special WTO project designed to demonstrate how tourism can help foster the development of countries. The project would also aid in promoting an improved image of the small Central American nation, which is taking steps towards reinvigorating its tourism industry.
Gol Airlines Expands Fleet with ‘New Generation’
Brazilian airline Gol has just closed a deal with US company Boeing, whereby it would purchase five 737-800 ‘New Generation’ aircraft.
Avianca Heads to Canada
The new Code Sharing Agreement between Avianca and Air Canada, effective since February 2005, now allows Avianca passengers from Colombia and the Southern Cone to travel to Toronto and Montreal via Air Canada. Conversely, Canadian passengers have access to the Southern Hemisphere via Avianca’s main hub, Bogota. In addition to the various travel options available, customers have the convenience of booking their journey on one ticket.
Air Madrid Launches New Madrid-BA Route
Air Madrid has made Argentina its fifth Latin American destination with its inauguration of flights between Madrid and Buenos Aires. The Spanish airline already services routes to Colombia (Bogotá and Cartagena de Indias), Costa Rica (San José), Panamá, Perú (Lima), and Ecuador (Quito and Guayaquil).
Aerolíneas Argentina Flies Lima-Mexico City
Aerolíneas Argentina has begun servicing its Lima-Mexico City route with an Airbus 310-300. The aircraft’s 205-seat capacity includes 34 passenger seats in ‘Club Condor’ first class, and operates daily except Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Tourism Boom in Chile
The 2004/05 summer season was the most successful period in history in terms of the country’s tourism industry. Preliminary figures indicate that Chile received 480 thousand foreign visitors between January and February, generating US$400 million in revenue, a 10% increase over the same period the previous year. Apart from higher numbers, Chile’s tourism also improved in regard to the positioning of its various destinations, particularly of Patagonia, which is growing increasingly popular with tourists.
Copa Airlines Updates Fleet
Renovation of the Copa Airlines fleet has reached completion with the arrival of its 21st new aircraft, a Boeing 737-700, and the retirement of its last B737-200. This marks Copa’s transformation into one of the most up to date airlines in the Americas, as well as one of the most modern in the world. The Copa fleet includes 18 Boeing 737-700’s, three Boeing 737-800’s, and is expecting the addition of another 737-800 in May 2005.
LAN Registers Highest Earnings in Its History
Lan Airlines has announced that its 95% year-over-year revenue growth for 2004 is the highest in the company’s history, success which is prompting the airline to purchase seven additional aircraft this year. Earnings in 2004 totaled US$163.4 million, double the US$83 million of 2003. The additional aircraft planned for 2005 and intended for international routes are valued at US$450 million and would bring the number of planes in Lan’s fleet up to 70.
Ecuador Downsizes Government
In an attempt to downsize the government, Ecuador has begun eliminating 18% of all bureaucratic positions on the state level. The 5000 state employees will receive compensation through a US$100 million credit from the Banco Interamericano de Desarollo (AmericaEconomia.com.)
Industrial Activity Up 10.7% in Argentina
In 2004, industrial activity in Argentina increased by 10.7%, with automotive production up an impressive 53.9% over the previous year. Equally encouraging, construction grew 20.1% over the same period. Argentina’s marked economic improvement in recent years has helped reduce the unemployment rate, which remains high at 13.2%. This figure would rise to 17.6%, if ‘unemployment’ included those without jobs who receive a monthly subsidy of US$50 from the state for a few documented hours of work.
Latin American Tourism: Ready for Take Off
“In their efforts to draw visitors from the developed countries of North America and Europe, tourist operations in Latin America and the Caribbean compete with their counterparts in Southeast Asia, especially during the Northern Hemisphere winter. Southeast Asia has traditionally enjoyed a number of competitive advantages including proximity (to Europe), number of English speakers, history, infrastructure, a more developed tourism industry, less crime, and stronger promotional efforts. This is beginning to change, however, as tourists look for variety and as more and more Latin American countries recognize the benefits of developing their tourism sectors.”
US$100 Million for Aerodom
The World Bank approved US$10 million in loans destined for Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom). Aerodom currently manages the Las Americas (Santo Domingo) and Gregorio Luperon (Puerto Plata) airports in the Dominican Republic, which handled approximately 3.8 million passengers last year, 50% of all passenger traffic in the Dominican Republic. The company also is responsible for the Arroyo Barril (Samana) and Maria Montez (Barahona) airports that see very little traffic. Part of the funding is to be used to advance on the El Catey airport, scheduled to serve the Playa Grande and Samana tourist traffic. The financial package will support a US$265 million investment program to expand and improve the airports. DR1
China Grants Caribbean Countries Approved Destination Status
Ten Caribbean countries will be receiving tour groups from China soon as the result of a significant agreement signed at the recent China-Caribbean Economic & Trade Forum & Exposition. The benefit, entitled "Approved Destination Status (ADS)," is important for most of the tourism-concentrated economies in the region, yet it is only being extended to those countries that have diplomatic relations with the gigantic country of 1.3 billion residents.
Copper Makes Chilean Peso Surge
The strong appreciation of the Chilean currency is not only founded in the US dollar international weakness but in the sustained demand for copper, the country’s main export. The booming Chinese economy has become the main Chilean copper client and prospects a solid demand in 2005. Chile also has plans to increase copper production in 2005. Although a weak US dollar can complicate export deals because of local costs increase, the bright side of a strong Chilean peso is that dollar imports become cheaper. For example fuel prices in Chile are forecasted to drop. MERCOPRESS
Country Risk in Latin America
“The Chilean government celebrated an all time record low country risk, confirming the positive international assessment of the Chilean economy and its positioning as the safest country to invest in South America. The lower the sovereign country risk, the easier access to money markets and lower interest rates a country and that country’s companies must pay. The second safest country is Mexico with a basic spread of 159 points; Peru follows with 240 bp; Colombia has 359 bp; Uruguay figures with 382 bp; Brazil with 405 bp; Venezuela 459 bp, while Argentina which is still in default has the highest sovereign risk, 4.925 basic points. Chile’s solid financial standing is based on good political management, solid financial institutions, ample structural reforms, economic policies which ensure stable growth and a manageable current account deficit.” MERCOPRESS
Venezuelan Economy Expanded 17.3% in 2004
Due to strong oil prices and political stability Venezuela's economy expanded 17,3 % in 2004 following two years of significant contraction. According to a release from the Venezuelan Central Bank this was the largest increase "since indexes began to be recorded”. During 2004 the Venezuelan economy was characterized by a significant recovery particularly influenced by the balance of payments and foreign reserves, plus increased industrial activity and a construction boom.
Spain Launches ‘Plan Brasil’
Spain’s Tourism and Commerce Minister, Pedro Mejia, has presented a new initiative called ‘Plan Brasil’, which seeks to fortify economic relations between the two countries and introduce more Spanish companies into the South American nation’s important economic landscape.
Uruguay’s New President Has International Agenda
Less than one month in office as Uruguay’s first ever leftist president, Tabare Vazquez is already leaving his mark, having signed a US$100 million program to battle poverty in the country, whose economy has suffered in recent years. Next on Vazquez’s ambitious agenda are international agreements with his South American counterparts, most importantly Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela. He has reason to be confident, as Nestor Kirchner of Argentina, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela were among the many dignitaries to attend Vazquez’s inauguration (Dow Jones Newswires).
Mexico Real Estate Market Flourishes
Mexico’s real estate market significant growth in 2004 carries on into this year as investments in projects such as golf courses, hotels, and even industrial parks go up 8% for 2005.
Jeb Bush in Colombia
During his visit to Colombia, Florida’s Governor Jeb Bush expressed his determination to safeguard the dignity and human rights of all persons living illegally in his state. Stated Governor Bush, “(they) pay taxes, foster prosperity, and I believe they should have certain status.” (AméricaEconomía.com)
Trade Agreement between MERCOSUR and Gulf Countries
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al-Attiyad, and Celso Amorim, Brazil’s Foreign Relations Minister, are working together on a framework agreement that could be the start of negotiations for a trade agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Mercosur. Arab and South American countries are meeting in Brazil for a summit in May, during which time the document is expected to be signed. (AmericaEconomia.com)
Grammy for Panama Minister of Tourism
Ruben Blades, Panama’s Tourism Minister, has just earned his seventh Grammy, but rather than focus attention on himself, Blades expressed the hope that his recent success help draw more visitors to his country.
Rescuing Guatemala’s Lake Amatitlan
The Guatemalan government plans to dedicate US$29 million to restoring Lake Amatitlan, one of the country’s most significant tourist attractions. Twenty years of neglect and pollution have resulted in high levels of contamination, but the new project would see to the cleaning the lake’s water, as well as the remodeling of the nearby public beach and the restoration of a cable cart system that ferries visitors from both shores.
Medellín and Milan Are Partner Cities
Representatives of Medellín, Colombia, recently signed an agreement in Milan to become the Lombardian capital’s partner city. Under the partnership, Medellin and Milan will collaborate on promoting both cities and their respective small business sectors through numerous tourism, culture, commerce, and fashion projects.
Geoglyphs Older than Nazca Lines Discovered in Peru
Archeologists have discovered a group of giant drawings carved into the hillside in the province of Palpa, and attribute these figures to the pre-Incan civilization of Paracas. This would mean the fifty geoglyphs, which represent human and animal figures, originated some time between 600-100 BC and thus predate the country’s famous Nazca lines.
Former US President Vacations in the Dominican Republic
Former US President George Bush vacationed in Casa de Campo. The father and mother of US President George Bush arrived in La Romana and are hosted by Gustavo Cisneros and Patricia Phelps de Cisneros at their villa Quinta Serenisima. George Bush and his wife Barbara had just returned from Asia where they promoted aid to victims of the Tsunami together with former US President Bill Clinton. DR1
Flowers from Colombia and Ecuador
Colombia and Ecuador head the list of the five main providers of flowers to the United States, with 59 and 23 percent of the market, respectively. Costa Rica, the Netherlands and Mexico round out that group, but each of those countries represents only about 4 percent of the supply. The blooms from Colombia and Ecuador are for the most part cultivated at altitudes above 2,000 meters (6,560 ft) above sea level. Miami is the main point of entry for flowers into the U.S. market, receiving nearly 90 percent of the arrivals. Volume passing through the South Florida city has steadily increased over the past two decades, representing business of more than $300 million a year over the past few years. MERCOPRESS
Sea Access Dispute Enters 126th Year
Bolivia lost sea access in 1879, when a Chilean expeditionary force disembarked in Antofagasta Port. According to historic documents, the invasion stemmed from the defense of interests of an Anglo-Chilean export saltpeter firm, which was affected by a Bolivian tax. Thus, the Pacific War started and Bolivia lost nearly 74,564 square miles, and Chile conquered vast Peruvian territories. The lack of coastal access had largely affected the Bolivian domestic economy.
Ecuador Seeks Support In Galápagos Conservation
Ecuador’s president, Lucio Gutierrez, is holding talks with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Enrique Iglesias, president of the Inter-American Development Bank, regarding the future conservation of the Galápagos Islands. With international support, Gutierrez hopes to sort out the political debate over the archipelago which has deterred many environmental projects from coming to fruition.
Plantains now a Luxury?
Plantains, the Dominican foodstuff par excellence, have now reached the astronomical price of RD$12.00 per unit. This is a banana-like plant, whose fruit is eaten in a wide variety of ways. It is, perhaps, the only food that will be eaten by a normal Dominican family three times a day in different preparations without any complaints. According to Hoy, the "platano" is selling at prices ranging from RD$7.00 to RD$12.00 per unit in Santo Domingo's markets. In spite of price increases of up to three pesos per platano, reporters observed housewives fighting over them at local supermarkets. Plantain production currently stands at 12 to 14 million units per month. Most experts are aware of the phenomenon, but there is little that can be done about it. First the series of heavy winds that accompanied several hurricanes that crossed parts of the country in early Fall, and then, the onset of attacks by an infestation of Black Sigatoka, the continuous rains and resulting floods that prevented crop maintenance and harvesting, and the normal decrease of plantain production over the winter months have combined to reduce the supply to record low levels. Replanting the fields is at best a ten-month solution, so the country is facing several more months of high prices for one of its favorite – and traditionally one of its cheapest - foods. Just four years ago a large plantain sold for between RD$0.50 and RD$1.00. DR1
LOOK IT UP
http://www.powells.com/psection/LatinAmerica.html
Books on topics from Latin America – huge selection!
http://www.wnsouthamerica.com/
World News Southamerica – politics, current events and issues
http://www.latin-sectors.com/sectors/tourism.htm
Research on sector trends in Latin America
CURIOSIDADES
Project to Grow Fresh Lettuce in Antarctica
An Experimental Hydroponics Module project for growing lettuce in Antarctica was approved by Chilean environmental authorities and will be shipped to Bernardo O’Higgins base. The project is under the supervision of eco-physiologists with the collaboration of the Universidad de Chile Agriculture Sciences Department and support from the Chilean Army. According to the agreement, Army personnel will be looking after the hydroponics lettuce lab, taking records and sending the information via internet during winter months.