More Americans and Canadians discovering quality of life in Uruguay

So far, 2010 has been a media lovefest for Uruguay. (Pictured: Oceanfront developments in Punta del Este)

If we could dole out awards for the best and worst PR campaigns in the Americas for 2010, the loser by an oily nautical mile would be BP. On the other hand (and hemisphere), the winner would be the Republic of Uruguay.

When InvestBA originally launched, we coined the phrase The Tango Coast to encompass opportunities on both sides of the Rio de la Plata. For every four stories about Argentina, we would unearth a gem about our Mercosur neighbor; however, pro-Uruguay, pro-investment content has been so fast and frequent this year, we had to finally create our own Uruguay channel.

2010 got off to a good start with a Top 20 ranking in the International Living Quality of Life Index, then Spear’s Wealth Management Survey sized up the tax advantages and dubbed Uruguay, A good place to visit your money. The I Love UY parade continued this spring with two new airline deals (Buquebus and Jazz/Pluna) further linking Uruguay with the world, while The New York Times touted the country as an attractive retirement destination for Americans and other foreign buyers.

Then the World Cup kicked into high gear where Diego Forlan & Co. put together an odds-defying performance and silenced the skeptics, including a Miami Herald reporter. Now it seems we’ve come full circle with another glowing International Living piece naming Uruguay, The New Tourism Leader in Latin America.” Bottom line: If the last six months of 2010 are anything like the first six, Uruguay can look forward to more positive press and an influx of foreign buyers.

For more information about investment opportunities in Argentina and Uruguay, download IncomeBA and the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

Jazz and Pluna Airlines

Canada's Jazz is "not a typical airline." Neither is Uruguay's Pluna, so this deal makes sense.

Canadian airline Jazz is spreading its investment wings to the Southern Hemisphere by acquiring a stake in Uruguay’s flagship carrier, Pluna.

And while the union of Nova Scotia-based Jazz with Montevideo-based Pluna might seem an odd pairing at first glance, a closer inspection reveals two very unique, quality-focused, Bombardier-rich regional carriers meeting niche passenger demands.

Jazz serves as a contract carrier for Air Canada linking smaller markets with major Canadian and U.S. cities, while Pluna is the regional carrier with the most modern fleet and some of the most competitive fares in the Southern Cone. (e.g., round-trip from Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo can be bought on Pluna for US$250 compared to $400 on Aerolineas and $800 on TAM)

The Jazz Air Income Fund (TSX: JAZ.UN) will invest US$15 million in Pluna in exchange for a 33% voting interest in Latin American Regional Aviation Holding Co. Jazz CEO Joseph Randell cited geographic diversification and double-digit growth in Latin American passenger demand as two of the motivating factors for the purchase, “This is a great opportunity to participate in one of the world’s fastest growing air travel markets and it positions Jazz on the international stage.” Jazz sees good upside in the deal, especially considering Pluna’s modern fleet, a brand new Montevideo hub and a potential IPO in 2013. (Full story)

 

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Uruguay

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