Author Archive for LT
How to Build a Successful Franchise in Latin America
Woods Staton, chairman and CEO of Arcos Dorados, operator and grantor of McDonald’s franchises throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, offers the following tips on how to successfully build a franchise in Latin America while staying true to the brand’s core objectives: 1. Develop a highly-focused business strategy. A well-defined strategy that offers sustainable growth [...]
What Latin America should know about the conclusions of the World Economic Forum’s annual summit: The message from Davos
By Frederico Fleury Curado The atmosphere at the 43rd edition of the World Economic Forum at Davos at the beginning of the year was one of calm optimism. The positive view prevailed despite an awareness of the main concerns that are facing companies and governments and that remained top of the forum’s agenda — such [...]
World Economic Forum: Sustainable growth
Latin America’s future is more predictable than many people believe. The world’s economic and demographic forces are inexorable drivers of the region’s major trends, which fortunately appear to point toward progress. Urbanization is one of the driving forces. The world’s cities are growing at the pace of two inhabitants per second, according to the US [...]
Latin American exports slowed in 2012
According to the latest “Latin American commerce trends estimates 2012”, based on INTradeBID data on international trade from the Inter-American Development Bank, Latin American exports significantly dropped last year. Some countries even showed negative growth during the second half of the year. This explains the 1.5 percent growth in exports during the whole of 2012, [...]
Best Destinations
People look for different things in different cities, depending on the purpose of their visit. Individual business travelers might be most concerned with a decent airport experience, a good hotel and perhaps a pleasant restaurant or two. Those involved with meetings, conventions and other business-minded events need all those things too, as well as group-friendly [...]
Best Airlines/Rental Cars
The Best Airlines Flying in Latin America Any list of the best — or worst — airlines flying in Latin America today is noticeably shorter than it would have been a few years ago, thanks to the continuing consolidation of the industry. LAN and TAM have come together, although still flying as separate brands, while [...]
Best Hotels
The expansion of international hotel brands in Latin America is, in many regions, continuing an impressive growth trajectory. In Brazil, mid-market chains are growing especially quickly, largely in response to the growing middle class and, in Rio de Janeiro, also to prepare for the large influx of visitors expected to attend the 2014 World Cup [...]
Turning One Billion Tourists Into One Billion Opportunities
On December 13, 2012, Latin America received its symbolic tourist number one billion, a Brazilian lady entering Argentina where she was greeted by a special welcoming committee. That billion figure means one out of seven people crossed the borders of their country in just one year, 2012. Amazing! Also note, that in 1950, the registered [...]
Thumbs Up For LATAM
It’s a good time for regional companies to pursue a public equity offering. There is a general consensus among North American and European investors that, despite significant macroeconomic headwinds in Europe and China, Latin America is a region with steadfast domestic markets and attractively valued companies with significant growth potential. Also, the consumer goods and [...]
Latin Trade Symposium & the 18th Annual BRAVO Business Awards
Every year Latin Trade Group gathers the Latin American and Caribbean most influential business and government leaders during the Latin Trade Symposium, a one day forum of discussion focusing on Building the New Latin America preceding the annual BRAVO Business Awards. The signature event has recognized excellence and leadership in government, business and social contributions [...]
CFO World – Earnings and more
The youngest are in Europe and South America, the biggest earners are in North America and, once again, the ones left behind are the women –in terms of the jobs they hold and the pay they receive. These are some of the results to come out of a survey carried out by Michael Page among [...]
Innovation and Change: Two decades that shook Latin America
Latin America is a far different place than it was back in 1992. In historical terms, the region has never been better in almost every way, nor does it offer so many opportunities for the achievement of prosperity. Information to support this claim abounds. A Latin American newborn child in 1992 had a life expectancy [...]
2012 BRAVO Business Awards 18
The Latin Trade Bravo Business Awards have recognized regional excellence in government, business and social development for the past 17 years. Its 18th edition clearly achieved that objective again. The 2012 winners are a group of world-class executives who are playing a key role in improving Latin American economy and business. Click the links below [...]
Enersis: Capital Increase or Asset Transfer
Energy group Enersis, Endesa Chile’s parent company, unveiled a capital increase of $8 billion on July 25— an influx that promised to be the biggest in Chilean history. The move confirmed the ambitions of controlling shareholder Endesa Espana, in turn owned by Italian utility Enel, despite troubles at home. But rather than the popping of [...]
Mid-size banks: the big squeeze
In the Brazilian banking world, big is still beautiful. But mid-size banks are feeling a squeeze, due to the extended international financial crisis, higher funding costs and also the backlash from several scandals involving fraud. Over the last two years, Banco Panamericano (of the high-profile television mogul Silvio Santos), Banco Morada and Cruzeiro do Sul [...]
A tiny town with no banks gets electronic banking
Santiago Nuyoo in Oaxaca, Mexico, has less than 2,000 residents and no bank. But it offers solid evidence that an unbanked community can still access financial services. Under a partnership between the government-owned telecommunications company Telecomm -Telegrafos, Banorte (the country’s largest Mexican-owned bank) and MasterCard, Santiago Nuyoo now has easy access to a financial network. [...]
Education Gap
One way to reduce income inequality permanently and increase productivity in Latin American economies is to improve access to education of the entire population. This has been recognized by businessmen in the region, who have focused much of their effort toward achieving this goal through corporate social responsibility programs. The latest study by Unesco and [...]
Bogota by the numbers
GDP is larger than some Latin American countries Bogotá concentrates 63 per cent of holdings and companies in Colombia, that means 1,361 multinational corporations. It is the 6th tourist destination in Latin America. With a GDP of $70.3 billion in 2011,it concentrates 27% of Colombian economic activity. Its 7.4 million population has an income per [...]
Protected: LT CFO Event, São Paulo, Brazil, August 16, 2012
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Looking for Tango, also
Irina Rubenski has lived in Argentina for 32 years, and she welcomes Russian tourists. She confirms the trend that is seen in the region and attributes it to the fact that “for so many years in the Soviet Union everything was closed, everything was forbidden, and now Russians can leave” to see the world. The [...]
CSR: When Care Has its Rewards
The Best Corporate Social Responsibility Programs in Latin America. By David Haskel in Argentina, Taylor Barnes in Brazil, Gideon Long in Chile, Anastasia Moloney in Colombia, David Agren in Mexico, Lisa Wing in Peru and Doreen Hemlock in Miami. They nurture local suppliers, provide scholarships and teach nutrition. They plant trees, embrace renewable energy and [...]
Latin America’s Infrastructure Gap
The total infrastructure gap in Latin America – the difference between existing and needed investments – is a whopping $170 billion per year to 2020, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). It warns that ports in South America will reach their capacity by 2020 if they don’t [...]
Best of Travel Press Coverage
Portal Seguro, Brazil, Feb.8, 2012. Refers the 2012 Best of Travel survey. Diario La Opinion, Colombia, Feb 7, 2012. Refers to the 2012 Best of Travel survey. InsideWorldFootball, UK, Feb 7, 2012. Refers to the 2011 Best of Travel survey. Portafolio, Colombia, Feb 5, 2012. Refers to the 2012 Best of Travel survey. Airwise, Australia, [...]
Readers of Latin Trade magazine select the Best of Travel
Our readers have selected the best hotels, restaurants, airlines, airports and car rental companies in Latin America. We present the results of the tenth annual LATIN TRADE Best of Travel reader survey. Our readers have selected the best hotels, restaurants, airlines, airports and car rental companies in Latin America. See also Press Coverage of the [...]
Latin America Global Champion
How Latin America excels globally. Latin America is shining globally, not only in terms of economic growth, but also in several other areas, Raul Rivera points out in his book Nuestra Hora (Pearson). Brazil’s dimensions are comparable to that of the United States, while Argentina’s are equivalent to those of India. Meanwhile, Latin America’s population [...]
Latin America’s Best and Worst Airports
Our readers have selected the best airports in Latin America. Santiago continues to be the most popular airport in Latin America among Latin Trade readers. It received the top spot in comfort/ambience and shops/amenities. The airport received 10.3 million passengers in 2010, according to Airports Council International. Panama City is right behind, though, thanks to [...]
Best Restaurants for 11 Cities in Latin America
By city in alphabetical order. BOGOTA 1 Andrés Carne de Res 2 Harry Sasson 3 La Brasserie 4 La Cigale 5 Casa San Isidro BUENOS AIRES 1 Cabaña Las Lilas 2 La Estancia 3 Piegari Ristorante 4 El Aljibe at the Sheraton 5 Café des Arts LIMA 1 Astrid y Gastón 2 Restaurant Huaca Pucllana [...]
Mexico Prepares for China Rush
Mexico Opens Up Its Market. Mexico’s shoe sector is bracing for a tough 2012 after the country in December implemented long-awaited rules easing imports from China as part of World Trade Organization agreements. Other sectors, like clothing and toys, also expect to be impacted by stronger competition from lower-priced Chinese goods. The winners? Mexican consumers. [...]
Best Car Rental Companies
When it comes to renting cars in Latin America, Dollar/Thrifty again ranks tops. For the second year in a row, surveyed travelers gave Dollar/Thrifty the highest score among major car rental companies in the region, with Hertz ranking second and Avis third. Dollar/Thrifty beat out all competitors on rates and service – two factors key [...]
Best Hotels in 20 Cities in Latin America
By city in alphabetical order of each city. BOGOTA RK HOTEL 1 JW Marriott Hotel Bogotá 2 Sheraton Bogotá 3 Embassy Suites Bogotá – Rosales 4 Crowne Plaza Tequendama Bogotá 5 Hotel Casa Medina BUENOS AIRES RK HOTEL 1 Hilton Buenos Aires 2 InterContinental Buenos Aires 3 InterContinental Nordelta, Tigre-Buenos Aires Hotel, Residences & [...]
