Latin Americans have a growing desire for international travel with Argentinians and Brazilians leading the way

3 May, 2018

The appetite for international travel among Latin Americans is increasing, with a rise in international trips of more than 9% for 1H2018, according to a new study from ForwardKeys.


Summary:

  • There has been a 9% rise in international trips from Latin America, reveals latest insight from ForwardKeys;
  • Argentinians and Brazilians are the leaders in the region for international travel;
  • Argentinians are travelling more within Latin America (Colombia, Brazil and Mexico are the most popular destinations based on forward booking data for Q2 2018 while top destinations for Brazilians are the USA and Canada;
  • Between Jan-2018 and Jun-2018, Brazil is the top Latin American destination for inbound travel.

The travel trends analysis firm stated Argentinians and Brazilians are the leaders in the region for international travel. Argentinians are travelling more within Latin America while top destinations for Brazilians are the USA and Canada.

“The importance of improved connectivity and the ability to easily obtain travel visas to travel trends is once again confirmed,” ForwardKeys stated.

During the last couple of years Canada lifted visa requirements for Mexicans and eased the visa process for Brazilian travellers. ForwardKeys data show a marked rise in departures from Mexico and Canada after the visa process changed. Destination Canada recently calculated overnight visitors from Brazil to Canada grew 22% year-on-year in 2017.

Since the lifting of visa requirements for Mexican travellers to Canada, Mexican airlines Aeromexico and Interjet have added service between the two countries. But Aeromexico is ending Mexico City-Calgary service in Apr-2018; its codeshare partner Canadian LCC WestJet is picking up the route.

ForwardKeys’ data indicates Argentinians’ preference is regional international travel. Its forward data show Colombia, Brazil and Mexico are the top destinations from the country with the highest forward bookings for Apr-2018 to Jun-2018.

Between Jan-2018 and Jun-2018, Brazil is the top Latin American destination for inbound travel while international arrivals to the Caribbean are falling year-on-year. Many parts of the Caribbean are still recovering from being struck by hurricanes in late 2017 while Brazil’s economy continues to recover after a two year recession. The country’s GDP is projected to grow between 2% and 3% in 2018.