Its 2019 travel trends report highlights new routes – as well as new attractions and sites – expected to push tourist numbers this year.

Lata believes Argentina’s newly-designated Ibera national park – a wetland adding nearly 400,000 acres to neighbouring Ibera provincial park – will drive ecotourism and attract more than 100,000 visitors annually.

In northern Argentina, Air Europa’s new twice-weekly Madrid-Puerto Iguazu route, launching in June, will be the first international flight offering easy access to Iguazu Falls.

Chile is also expected to experience growth, with Jacada Travel reporting an increase of more than 40% in booking rates for Chile last year. The country will this year celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of explorer Alexander Von Humboldt, who is credited with placing large swathes of South America on the map.

A new 1,740-mile hiking trail taking in 17 national parks in Patagonia will chart some of Von Humboldt’s travels. Brighton-based Pura Aventura has launched a 45-day Ruta Uncovered self-drive to celebrate the development.

Meanwhile Panama City will mark the 500th anniversary of its founding by welcoming direct Air Europa flights from Madrid launching June 3.

Norwegian has expanded its South America programme for 2019. Its four-times weekly Gatwick-Buenos Aires route has been extended to daily, while a four-times weekly Gatwick-Rio de Janeiro service will launch on March 31.

Another lesser-known region expected to soar is Jericoacoara on Brazil’s north coast.