Date post: | 17-May-2015 |
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Latin America (North & South America)
TDM 458Ara Pachmayer
Amazon River Basin Cruise
Andes Mountains
Introduction
Region has 21 countriesColonized by Spain & Portugal
(Iberian Countries)Large, diverse populations
490 million people75% of the people live in citiesSeveral megacities (10 million
people+)Indigenous, African, European and
Asian presence and small numbers of other groups as well
Geopolitical Framework Past and Present
Late 1400 - 1500’sIberian Conquest and Territorial
Division1494 Treaty of Tordesillas divided
newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal
Geopolitical Framework Past and Present
Indigenous PopulationsMultiple complex civilizations before
Europeans (Incas, Mayans, Aztecs, others) Population estimates
1500: 20 - 47 million; by 1650: 5 million
Causes: disease, warfare, forced labor, famine
Indigenous Survival TodayLargest populations of Indigenous people
today: Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia
Indians trying to secure recognized territory in their countries where they have political and resource control
Geopolitical Framework Past and Present
Revolution and IndependenceElites born in the Americas led revolutions,
resulting in the creation of new countriesTrend Toward Democracy
Long independence, but political stability is a problem
Democratic elections since the 1980’sMost countries are free-market economies
Economic and Social Development
Latin America in the Global EconomyDependency theory
Expansion of European capitalism created Latin American condition of underdevelopment
Creates prosperous cores and dependent, poor peripheries
Increased economic integration within Latin America and dominance of U.S. market
Neoliberalism Policies (market approach)Stress privatization, export production, and
few restrictions on importsNegative is that it can/has increased gap
between wealthy and poor
Latin America in the Global Economy Dollarization
Process in which a country adopts (in whole or in part) the U.S. dollar as its official currency
Full dollarization – U.S. dollar becomes only currency
Until 2000, Panama was the only fully dollarized Latin American country
Ecuador and El Salvador also became fully dollarized in the last decade
Limited dollarization more common strategyU.S. dollars circulate with country’s
national currency - MexicoTends to reduce inflation, eliminate fears of
currency devaluation, and reduce costs of trade
Economic and Social Development
Tourism in Latin America
Relatively recent entry into tourism (except Mexico); Lots of growth growth between 1995 (14.3 Million) and 2011 (30 million)
Key Source Markets: regional, North America and Europe (Dependence Theory – region is still dependent on colonizers for tourist arrivals)
Originally, mostly backpacker/adventure, low budget tourism (1960s-1980’s) following the Mayan Trail from Mexico to Honduras; or Inca Trail through Peru
Regional Organizations
Organizations to foster internal markets and reduce trade barriersLatin American Free Trade Association
(LAFTA)Central American Common Market (CACM)Andean GroupNAFTAMercosur
http://en.mercopress.com/2011/04/27/mercosur-supports-tourism-industry-with-improved-data-and-investment-promotion
Types of Tourism Eco- Natural Resource Tourism
Rainforests, wildlife viewing, eco-lodges, mountain tourism, Plantation tourism, wineries, ranches, diving
Cultural Tourism Indian cultures, village stays, Amazon cruises
Historical TourismMayan and Aztec ruins (Central America), Inca in
South AmericaSpanish Colonial Sights – major colonial cities
Language schools – Central America and Ecuador Beach and Resort tourism, surfing tourism Adventure Tourism: Trekking, skiing, rafting, ice
climbing, etc. Cruise Tourism
South America Tourism Growth
Relatively recent entry into tourism; 45% growth between 1995 and 2006Average of 4.4% per year 2000-2010
South America arrivals grew by 9% in 2011Brazil fast growing source market for
tourismAll hit pretty hard by Economic Crisis of
2008 … Recovering, some better than othersUruguay 22% growthPeru 13% growth
Central American Tourism Growth
Most significant growth in recent timesCentral America recorded 16.7%
growth (1995-2006)…slowed recently (2000-10 an average of 6.6% a year)
Central America arrivals grew by 5% in 2011 Panama 11%All other countries in the region
reported positive growth
Mexico
One of the world’s major holiday destinations, especially for Americans and Canadians
Problems of crime, drugs, violence, pollution and anti-American sentimentUS State Department Travel Warning
Leading resorts are Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco
BrazilLarge size, 2,500 miles from north to
southLargest country in South America
Vast Amazon Tropical Rain forestExpanding international tourism from
charter flights (Role of National airline)Beach holidays are expanding at
Salvador de Bahia, Recife and NatalRio de Janeiro’s attractions include
Corcodova Mountain, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches
PeruExpanding adventure / eco-tourismDramatic mountain jungles, and Inca
communities, such as Machu PicchuCountry experienced largest increase in
tourist arrivals between 2000 and 2008 of 18%
Large growth in recent years as result of publicity of Machu Pichu 7NW
Surf Volunteertourism - http://www.wavesfordevelopment.org/surf-voluntourism/
High mountains and alpine sceneryWell preserved colonial citiesChilean wines (wine country is
big!)Key gateway to South America
through Santiago (major center of commerce)
Easter Island
Chile
Problems, Issues and Barriers to Tourism
Development
Economic IssuesLink to the dollar, dependence on US
market for many destinationsSo if the US economy falters, the region
becomes vulnerableHuge economic leakages (Dependency
Theory)Multi-nationals – companies owned by non-
locals so money goes outLesser developed economies
It is difficult for most countries in Latin America to amass the capital needed to improve their tourism infrastructure, so they need foreign investment
Safety and Security Issues
Insurgencies and Drug TraffickersGuerrilla groups have controlled large portions
Colombia through violence and intimidationFARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia);Colombia had highest murder rate in the
worldDrug cartels: powerful and wealthy organized
crime syndicatesCurrently having a negative affect on
tourism in Mexico Violent, street crime in some major cities Anti-American sentiments at some destinations,
especially Latin America Political influence of the US is seen as meddling by some
which has resulted in strong anti-American sentiments in some countries
Relatively large land area and low population density has minimized environmental degradation
Latin America has the opportunity to avoid mistakes that other regions have made as they are relatively new to the mass tourism market. They can learn from others!
Brazil and Costa Rica have conservation movements
However . . . Coral Reef Destruction in Central AmericaWaste dumping by cruise lines
Environmental Issues
Environmental Issues Destruction of Tropical Rainforests - #1 problem
Deforestation is the most common environmental problem in Latin America
Affected regions: Atlantic coastal forests of Brazil and Pacific forests of Central America
Causes: agriculture, settlement, and ranchingGrassification: conversion of tropical forest to
pasture for grazing and agricultural production Concerns: loss of biological diversity
Tropical rainforests: 6% of Earth’s landmass but 50% of species
The rainforest is also a tremendous tourism resources for the region
Other Issues
Looting of Mayan and Inca treasures
Conflicts between governments and Indigenous PopulationsGarifuna Hondurashttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzAik-3tm
LI&feature=channel_page
Nicaragua volunteer tourism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgHFYY6bq6o