Galapagos: new regulations to effect cruise itineries
New rules from Ecuador's Galapagos National Park limiting the number of visitors to ecologically sensitive sites will ease stress on the native animals, and alter cruise ship schedules. The regulations, which take effect Feb. 1, directly involve the 50 cruise companies that operate in the marine park. The new system forbids ships from visiting most island sites more than once in a 14-day period.
Source: USA today; find article here>>.
Local authorization for Cruize stop off in island is denied by the Municipality on Carnival days.
The municipality of Ilhabela, on the northern coast of Sao Paulo, Brazil, did not allow the passengers of the Cruise "MSC Sinfonia", visit the island in the days of Carnival. The reason that moved the administrative act of the Tourism Department, is overcrowding. According to the Secretary Djane Vitoriano "Ilhabela receives other three Cruises together that represent 11,315 passengers and 2,411 crew members - the island has infrastructure to receive up to three Cruises a day."
Brazil: Gol Airlines must compensate the victim's sister to crash for R$ 120,000
In a unanimous decision, the Fourth Chamber of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) has confirmed the payment of compensation for moral damages, the sister of one of the victims of air crash involving an airline Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA and Legacy. The ministers of the Class, following the understanding of the rapporteur, Luis Felipe Minister Solomon kept the conviction Gol payment, reducing the stated value of R$ 190,000 to R$ 120,000.
USA/Brazil: open skies agreement
Representatives of the United States and Brazil have agreed to implement an Open-Skies aviation regime, which will significantly liberalize U.S.-Brazil air services for airlines of both countries over a transition period by removing restrictions on pricing and on the routes between each country that can be served by U.S. and Brazilian scheduled and charter airlines. The agreement also provides immediately for full codeshare rights and additional charter flexibility.
IFTTA Brasil has its first meeting
The Sao Paulo Convention & Visitors Bureau (SPCVB), received on July 14th at its headquarters, the first meeting of IFTTA Brasil - the International Forum of Travel and Tourism Advocates ( IFTTA ). The group will engage among other activities in development of technical and legal material, monitoring of bills (a draft of a proposed act of parliament), identifying colleges and universities specializing in previous studies, in addition to developing sustainable tourism projects in the country.
Argentina: New Ministry of Tourism
Argentinean President, H.E. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, announced the move to separate the Ministry of Tourism from the existing Ministry of Industry and Tourism and named Carlos Enrique Meyer, previously Secretary of State for Tourism, as Minister of Tourism.
Brazil: ANAC extends the rights of air passengers.
The ANAC – National Civil Aviation Agency, tied to the Ministry of Defence, has enacted the Resolution 141 which enters into force on June 13th. It broadens the rights of passenger flights delayed, cancelled or in case of breach (preventing the need for boarding aircraft or exchange overbooking).
IFTTA Argentina (Regional Organization)
Next April 7th. will take place in Buenos Aires the first meeting to establish IFTTA Argentina, a regional organization. In these meeting it will be elected the Board of Directors and will considerate the IFTTA ARGENTINA BY-LAWS accord the IFTTA BY-LAWS original. After these date we will give you the Members elected and other news.
