TravelDailyNews: What was the percentage of tourist arrivals and tourism receipts for Argentina in 2006 in comparison with 2005? What is the percentage of the tourism business in Argentina’s economy?

Enrique Meyer: By the end of 2006, we’ll have 7.6% more external tourist visits than 2005. Expenditures will increase by 17%. Internal tourism also has increased, with a 6% and with a 15 % on the expense. Regarding investment, there’s been a big increase. Actually there are around 250 new establishments (hotels) in construction. And around 80 were opened in 2006. Nowadays, tourism represents a 6,7 in the total income, going beyond petroleum, cereals and beef, among others. Also, tourism generates employment. In the last 3 years, 251 thousand jobs were created thanks to tourism business. Looking at the future, if these numbers keeps increasing, to 2010 tourism will handle a 12 % of the total employment.

TDN: Which regions and countries contribute more to your country’s inbound traffic?

E. M.: Regarding our last check from the International Airport on the November arrivals, Brazil is the first country from where tourists arrive. Followed by USA, Chile, Spain and Italy. Related to last year, is notable the increase on the income of tourists from Venezuela and Holland.

TDN: Can you give us the profile of the traveler who visits your country?

E. M.: The type of tourist that visit us is a person looking for culture, quality of service on accommodation, variety of gastronomy and shopping, diversity of landscapes, and the warmth of its people. The average of stay is of 13 days, with an expense of US 85 per night. The most expense comes from the tourists that choose four-five stars hotels and those are from U.S.A and Europe and spend around USD 208 and 169 respectively.
Vacation is the main purpose of the visit to Argentina. Then, for business and ethnic reasons. And there’s an increasing percentage that is choosing for hiring apartments now.
About a 46 % organized the trip by themselves and a 30 % bought a package.
Regarding 4and5 star hotels, those are chosen by 1 of 2 tourists.

TDN: What are the initiatives of the Secretariat to raise global awareness of Argentina’s tourism product?

E. M.: We have doubled the promotion of the presence of Argentina in International Fairs, where besides the promotion of the country and regions, we also promote products such as fishing, golf, adventure tourism, rural and idiomatic tourism. One major goal, was to create together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Media Secretary and the Tourism Secretary as well, the branding of Argentina, to present our products and services together abroad. Examples of this, were the presence of argentine products at Harrod´s. Lafayette and Karstadt. Also we participate on theme trades, such as Termalia, Top Resa and the British Open.


TDN: The Argentine Secretariat of Tourism has launched a joint promotional campaign with the Chamber of Tourism. Why did you decide to start this campaign and what is the feedback from the global tourism industry so far?

E. M.: The expression of the joined job between the CAT and the Secretary, is the creation of the National Touristy Promotion Institute, conformed by Federal Comity members. This shows the close relation between private and public sectors orientated to organize and prompting the destination. The new national law and the Strategic Federal Plan of sustainable tourism shows this compromise and efforts to promote our destinations all together for the growth of Argentina.

TDN: According to your opinion what are the trends that will affect Argentina’s tourism in 2007?

E. M.: The future would be very positive for us. We have a survey on which the 95 % of the visitors that have come to Argentina says they definitely will come back to the country.

TDN: Where do Argentineans travel and for what purpose?

E. M.: The argentines are rediscovering its own country. The numbers from the last trimester show a positive difference, of 200,000 tourists, between the 500,000 that arrived in the country and the 300,000 that last year departed on that period.

TDN: What kind of problems does Argentina’s tourism face today and what solutions do you suggest?

E. M.: The growth of the tourism put us very strong, but we also face more objectives, such as keep the investments, diversifying our regions, in one word, “problems” that are more than welcomed if they come from the growth of tourism.