Eduardo Sonovicz, president of Brazil’s Tourism Institute (EMBRATUR) called Monday on the government to eliminate visa requirements for American travelers visiting the country. The nation’s Tourism Minister Walfrido Mares Guia had made a similar statement not so long ago.

“We must ease the travel flow into Brazil,” Mr. Sonovicz was quoted as saying in Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper.

The Argentine Mutual Tourism Association (AMAT is the acronym in Spanish) is extending the application deadline for scholarships in the country to study tourism until March 1 this year. The initiative is part of an agreement signed by AMAT and the Perito Moreno Higher Tourism Institute.

In his new role, Mr. Oliver is responsible for seeking and securing managed, owned or franchised opportunities for the company´s hotel brands: Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn.

The Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) once again honoured Guyanese reporter Miranda La Rose for excellence in coverage of tourism sustainability issues at its Fifth Journalism Awards at Almond Village Resort in Barbados last month.

Fearful of making a significant dent in the flow of incoming tourists, especially from America, the Mayor’s Office of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro put a temporary halt to the screening of U.S. visitors arriving in the city.

American citizens who came to Rio de Janeiro Monday were welcomed by gorgeous models doling out T-shirts reading Rio Loves You, a rose and surprising gifts such as local jewelry and other items trademarked by local airline Varig.

The practical guidebook published by Whereabouts Press is an anthology divided in geographical zones and texts written by Pablo Neruda, Jose Donoso, Hernan Rivera, Roberto Ampuero, Pedro Lemebel and Francisco Coloane.

The book is part of a collection that has provided travel tips on such other places as Prague, Cuba, Spain, Australia, Greece, Israel, Vietnam and Costa Rica.

The new traveler’s companion contains an anthology of some of the finest Chilean authors, broken down in three sections: North, Central and South.