Euro 0.69 - Argentina 3.05 - Bolivia 7.04 - Brasil 1.66 - Chile 515.06 - Colombia 1,932.20 - México 10.14 - Paraguay 3.960 - Perú 2.93 - Uruguay 19.00 - Venezuela 2.14

Marriott International has announced five new hotels for its Latin American region, spanning its upscale Marriott, moderate-priced Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn for extended-stay travelers brands. The hotels are: 135-room Courtyard by Marriott Guayaquil, Ecuador, opening in 2008; 138-room Courtyard by Marriott Paramaribo, Suriname, opening in 2008; 144-room Courtyard by Marriott San Pedro Sula, Honduras, opening in 2010; and 160-room Cuzco Marriott Hotel, Peru, opening in 2010.

AeroSur began flights between Tucuman and Santa Cruz de la Sierra Bolivia, from which passengers will be able to fly to Miami or Madrid. In addition to those destinations, it will be possible to make connections to continue on to Bolivia, Panama, and the cities of Bogota, Lima, Cusco, Asuncion and Sao Paulo.

LAN has developed a new class for its passengers traveling on regional flights beginning September 15. The “Premium Economy” class will offer more space in the cabin and will prioritize time efficiency during the different legs of the trip. Among the advantages, besides check-in through LAN.com, it offers preferential check-in, access to the VIP lounge, boarding when desired, and priority at disembarkation and baggage claim. In addition, it grants a mileage accumulation of 125% for LANPASS members. LAN will offer Premium Economy on its routes to and from Santiago to Buenos Aires, Guayaquil, Quito, Lima, Sao Paulo and Montevideo. From Lima, clients will have access to it for their flights to Quito, Bogota, Medellin and Sao Paulo.

The Tourism Festival of Gramado will be held from November 13 to 16 in the Serra Park Event Center in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Approximately 30 countries will participate, among which are Italy, Ireland, Israel, China, the United States, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Great Britain and Cuba.  www.festivalturismogtamado.com.br

World Tourism Day is to be held on 27 September 2008 with the Host Country: Peru. Celebrations include 24-26 September, Lima - International Conference on Tourism and Handcrafts, 27 September, Lima - World Tourism Day THINK TANK, and the launching of a new website:  www.ClimateSolutions.travel, a web site with the mission to be the central gateway for information on solutions available to help the tourism sector respond to climate change. Users can learn about Climate Solutions that are available and to share their own, and to access resources such as RSS feeds, useful links and a Climate Solutions wiki.

Cuzco Marriott Hotel will be managed by Marriott International under a long-term agreement with Inversiones La Rioja.  The hotel will be located on a 14,000 square foot site at the intersection of San Agustin and Ruinas, in the heart of Cusco's colonial district.  For dining and entertainment, the hotel will offer a casual three-meal restaurant that will accommodate early-risers planning a day-trip to Machu Picchu and an informal, lobby lounge whose ambience will evolve throughout the day. In-room amenities will include high-speed internet access, two-line telephone with dataport and voicemail, coffee service, mini-refrigerator and oxygen for those impacted by Cuzco's altitude. Recreational amenities will include a fitness center offering a large whirlpool and two treatment rooms. The business center will provide for internet booths. For conferences and social events, the hotel will have 2,300 square feet of space comprised of one room that will be divisible into two sections and a boardroom.

Delta Air Lines inaugurated 2 new routes- a direct flight between Atlanta and Quito, and a flight between Atlanta and Guayaquil which will be inaugurated on September 19. The decision was taken based on passenger demand. According to Marcelo Costa, the regional manager of Delta, the airline’s other new expansion projects are focused on opening new frequencies in Brasil, direct flights between Bogota and New York, Buenos Aires-New York and Tegucigalpa-Atlanta.

The managers of Aerocali, a concessionary of the Alfonso Bonilla Aragon airport, analyzed with concern the suspension of the Cali-Houston route on behalf of Continental. The airline announced that it will no longer operate this route, as well as others in Guayaquil and six in Mexico. These decisions were made considering the need to decrease some expenses due to the increase in fuel costs.

American Airlines cut back on flights to and from the United States as a consequence of the elevated cost of fuel. Delta Airlines also announced that as of this month it will remove its flight to New York City and will only maintain four weekly operations to Atlanta. However, Jet Blue, Copa and Air Europa announced that they will increase their daily frequencies in order to help ease the seating shortage caused by American Airlines during the low passenger season, which began at the beginning of the month.

Known as the “Wonderful City”, Rio de Janeiro offers attractions that have rendered the city international fame. Who has never heard about carnival in Rio, the most amazing popular party in the world? Or who has never heard about Sugar Loaf Mountain and the statue of Christ Redeemer? Or about the beautiful beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, that have inspired musicians from all over the world? Or, also, who has never heard about the Tijuca National Park – the largest urban area natural preservation area in the Country? Rio is all that. And much more. The city was the Brazilian capital until 1960 – when Brasilia, the current capital, was inaugurated. Because it was the capital, concentrating much power, the city’s architectonic traces include luxurious and imposing constructions – that sheltered the nobility and other important personages of those times. Since the city’s weather is hot and pleasant all through the year, Rio does not depend on seasons to attract visitors. Its attractions can be appreciated any time of the year. Read more…