American boost Brazil
American Airlines has expanded its range of services between Miami and Brazil, with the launch of a new route and added frequencies on two existing services. Last week the airline commenced new daily services between Miami and Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Manaus, northern Brazil. In addition, American will also boost its routes from Miami to Belo Horizonte and the capital Brasilia to daily, up from three and five weekly services respectively.
Orient-Express opens hotel in Peru
Orient-Express has opened Palacio Nazarenas, a new addition to its hotel portfolio in Peru. An all-suite boutique hotel, this hotel is housed in a former 16th Century convent in Cuzco – the capital of the ancient Inca Empire. Features include oxygenated room to help guests adjust to the high altitude, Cuzco’s first outdoor infinity pool, and a fine-dining restaurant. It will also feature a museum for all the artefacts discovered over the course of the four-year development project.
Starwood expands Four Points brand in Mexico
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has opened its third Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Mexico. The new 90-room Four Points by Sheraton Colonia Roma in Mexico City features all brand-standard amenities such as in-room workspace, free Wi-Fi in public areas and ‘Best Brews’ beer programme. In addition, it will offer a fitness centre, restaurant, bar and more than 860m² of meeting space. The hotel is located in Colonia Roma, close to the city’s main business and shopping areas.
Ecuador appoints UK representative
The Ecuador and Quito Tourist Boards have appointed a new PR agency to help boost its presence in the UK market. Branding Latin America, which is headquartered in London, will now work with the twin tourism bodies to promote the destination among the UK travel trade, press and directly to consumers. It will work with BZ.comm, the communications agency already handling Ecuador’s tourism push in Europe.
Silversea acquires Galapagos cruise company
Cruise company Silversea has purchased Canodros SA, the Ecuadorian tourism company that operates in the Galapagos Islands, and its expedition ship, Galapagos Explorer II. Silversea now plans to add Galapagos Explorer II to its fleet of six luxury ships next year after the all-suite, 100-passenger vessel undergoes a major refurbishment in September 2013. The company said it will announce its plans for the vessel in the coming months.
