While I was reading the travel today e-newsletter I noticed an article describing how Stella chief executive Peter Lacaze has branded 2009 the “worst year in living memory” for the travel and aviation industry. While no one can dispute that it has been a tumultuous year for the travel industry, Chimu Adventures has gone against the grain and had the most successful year in our history. Bookings and sales have increased by over 200% in what was supposed to be one of the hardest years facing the travel industry in Australia.

We feel there are many reasons for this dramatic growth, one being the ever increasing popularity of South America as a tourist destination. South America is a continent that offers absolutely everything a traveler could ever want; from the cultural and sacred Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, the stunning wildlife of the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands, the cosmopolitan cities of Buenos Aires and Rio plus the mystical glaciers and mountains of Patagonia. South America offers this and so much more and there is little wonder why travelers are flocking there in record numbers.

Another reason is the success of Chimu’s multi-country tours which were introduced earlier this year. These give you a real taste of South America’s highlights but take into account that most people can’t take more than a couple of weeks off work. Tours like the South America circle and Buenos Aires to Rio have exploded in the previous year and are now among our most popular tours.

Another reason has to be the amazing airfares that we have seen to South America. Flights from Sydney to Buenos Aires return for as little as $1200 which was just unthinkable a couple of years ago.

2009 certainly was a fantastic year for Chimu Adventures and 2010 is shaping up to be an even bigger year. What surprises do we have in store? You will just have to wait and see.

Happy holidays to everyone!!