Emerald Canopies and Ancient Peaks: Latin America’s Tourism Renaissance in the Shadow of Lost Opportunity
Emerald Canopies and Ancient Peaks: Latin America’s Tourism Renaissance in the Shadow of Lost Opportunity The Unclaimed Continent Thirty years ago, Latin America stood at the threshold of a tourism golden age. Blessed with rainforests humming with life, mountains that cradle lost cities, coastlines kissed by two oceans, and cities where baroque churches nestle beside indigenous markets, it seemed inevitable that Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Peru would become global icons of experiential travel. Yet as the 21st century unfolded, a different story emerged—one not of collapse, but of quiet underperformance. While the Gulf poured oil wealth into visionary tourism ecosystems and ASEAN nations wove culture, affordability, and connectivity into irresistible packages, Latin America remained fragmented, underfunded, and under-promoted. Its treasures were real, but access was arduous; its stories were profound, but they were rarely told with global flair. By 2025, the numbers told a soberi...