Officials in Chile have released a statement attempting to allay fears the tourism sector in the country has been hit by recent unrest. Protests over a hike in metro fares spun out of control earlier this month, prompting president Sebastian Pinerato to pledge sweeping social and economic reforms.

LATAM Airlines Group has announced two new flights from its Lima hub - a new Caribbean destination, Montego Bay in Jamaica, and a direct service to Calama, Chile.

LATAM Airlines Group has announced that it will offer non-stop flights between Santiago and Quito, Ecuador, starting from April next year.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it will manage a new urban resort that is currently under development in Viña del Mar, Chile.

Having taken the title of South America’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination at the World Travel Awards earlier this year, Gonzalo Fernández, director of marketing at the Chile Tourism Board, tells Breaking Travel News what is on offer in the destination. He also tells reporter Kaye Holland how the changing political situation in the UK is impacting visitor numbers and what the country has planned for 2018.

Hotel Santiago opens today under Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group management, following the group’s announcement in May. Formerly the Grand Hyatt Santiago, the property will undergo an extensive guestroom and public area renovation, the first stage of which is scheduled for completion in late 2018.