COSMOS RE-ENTERS SOUTH AMERICA MARKET
COSMOS has stepped back into the South America market after an 11-year hiatus, launching four new Latin America itineraries as part of its 2015 US and Canada program. The Best of Brazil and Argentina program is new to the offering, covering Rio de Janeiro, the Iguassu Falls and Buenos Aires over nine days. Starting from $2415 twin share, the program includes sightseeing tours of Rio’s beaches, flights to the Iguassu Falls and guided tours in Buenos Aires. The 12-day Brazil, Argentina & Chile Unveiled program covers Rio, Copacabana Beach and Santiago from $3117, while the Ultimate South America program visits Buenos Aires, Lima, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca from $5381. The Mysteries of the Inca Empire is another new addition that provides an insight to Peru’s colonial heritage before continuing on to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Priced from $2894, the 11-day program also stops at Cusco, the Temple of Sacsayhuaman and the floating islands of Lake Titicaca. Marking Cosmos’ first South America itineraries in well over a decade, the new tours highlight a shift in the company’s focus which has traditionally targeted the Europe and North American market. According to former Cosmos marketing manager Christian Schweitzer, shortfalls in hotel standards had prompted the low-cost operator to pull out of the South America over a decade ago. But with ongoing demand for low cost South American product, he said the “time was right” to re-enter the market. “Our previous experience in the South America market told us that the standards weren’t really there at a budget price point,” he said. “But there has been so much interest for low cost South America product in recent years that it seemed logical to offer new product to cater for demand.” Schweitzer remained confident the product would be well received, with forward sales already eclipsing product that has been on the market for some time. “We’ve spent the last couple of years refining the product and getting the itineraries right. The product is right, the marketing is good and the returns so far have been pleasing,” he said. To celebrate the launch, Cosmos is offering earlybird savings of $300 per couple on all South America tours booked by September 30. It has also launched a number of add-ons including tours to the Amazon, a cruise to the Galapagos Islands and excursions to Easter Island.