6. Introduction
Region has 21 countries
Colonized by Spain & Portugal (Iberian
Countries)
Large, diverse populations
490 million people
75% of the people live in cities
Several megacities (10 million people+)
Indigenous, African, European and
Asian presence and small numbers of
other groups as well
7. Geopolitical Framework
Past and Present
Late 1400 - 1500’s
Iberian Conquest and Territorial Division
1494 Treaty of Tordesillas divided newly
discovered lands outside Europe between
Spain and Portugal
8.
9. Geopolitical Framework
Past and Present
Indigenous Populations
Multiple 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 Today
Largest 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
10. Geopolitical Framework
Past and Present
Revolution and Independence
Elites born in the Americas led
revolutions, resulting in the creation of new
countries
Trend Toward Democracy
Long independence, but political stability is a
problem
Democratic elections since the 1980’s
Most countries are free-market economies
11. Economic and Social Development
Latin America in the Global Economy
Dependency 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 imports
Negative is that it can/has increased gap between
wealthy and poor
12. 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 strategy
U.S. dollars circulate with country’s national
currency - Mexico
Tends to reduce inflation, eliminate fears of currency
devaluation, and reduce costs of trade
Economic and Social Development
13. 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
14. Regional Organizations
Organizations to foster internal markets and
reduce trade barriers
Latin American Free Trade Association (LAFTA)
Central American Common Market (CACM)
Andean Group
NAFTA
Mercosur
http://en.mercopress.com/2011/04/27/mercosur-
supports-tourism-industry-with-improved-data-and-
investment-promotion
15. 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 Tourism
Mayan and Aztec ruins (Central America), Inca in
South America
Spanish 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
16. South America Tourism Growth
Relatively recent entry into tourism; 45% growth
between 1995 and 2006
Average of 4.4% per year 2000-2010
South America arrivals grew by 9% in 2011
Brazil fast growing source market for tourism
All hit pretty hard by Economic Crisis of 2008 …
Recovering, some better than others
Uruguay 22% growth
Peru 13% growth
17. Central American Tourism Growth
Most significant growth in recent times
Central 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
18.
19.
20.
21. Mexico
One of the world’s major holiday
destinations, especially for Americans
and Canadians
Problems of crime, drugs, violence,
pollution and anti-American sentiment
US State Department Travel Warning
Leading resorts are Cancun, Puerto
Vallarta and Acapulco
22.
23.
24. Brazil
Large size, 2,500 miles from north to south
Largest country in South America
Vast Amazon Tropical Rain forest
Expanding international tourism from charter
flights (Role of National airline)
Beach holidays are expanding at Salvador de
Bahia, Recife and Natal
Rio de Janeiro’s attractions include
Corcodova Mountain, Ipanema and
Copacabana beaches
25.
26. Peru
Expanding adventure / eco-tourism
Dramatic mountain jungles, and Inca
communities, such as Machu Picchu
Country 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/
27.
28.
29. High mountains and alpine scenery
Well preserved colonial cities
Chilean wines (wine country is big!)
Key gateway to South America through
Santiago (major center of commerce)
Easter Island
Chile
32. Economic Issues
Link to the dollar, dependence on US market
for many destinations
So if the US economy falters, the region becomes
vulnerable
Huge economic leakages (Dependency
Theory)
Multi-nationals – companies owned by non-locals
so money goes out
Lesser 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
33. Safety and Security Issues
Insurgencies and Drug Traffickers
Guerrilla groups have controlled large portions
Colombia through violence and intimidation
FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia);
Colombia had highest murder rate in the world
Drug cartels: powerful and wealthy organized crime
syndicates
Currently 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
34. 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 America
Waste dumping by cruise lines
Environmental Issues
35. 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 ranching
Grassification: 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
36. Other Issues
Looting of Mayan and Inca treasures
Conflicts between governments and
Indigenous Populations
Garifuna Honduras
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzAik-
3tmLI&feature=channel_page
