Argentine Tourism Declines In October
Tourism took a big hit in October as the number of people visiting Argentina fell 6.5% from the previous year, the national statistics agency, INDEC, said Monday.
INDEC’s measurement is based on the number of visitors who arrive to the country via Ezeiza, or EZE, the half-ugly, half-modern airport located outside Buenos Aires. About half of the country’s tourists arrive through the airport.
The drop in tourism is the second in two years and (the other was in April) and seems to confirm concerns that the global financial crisis is crimping travel plans for millions of people around the world.
Perhaps surprisingly, the biggest decline wasn’t from the U.S., the epicenter of the global crisis, but from Chile, which sent 31.7% fewer visitors in October. Chile was followed by other Latin American countries. Tourism from the U.S. and Canada fell only 1.3% and it actually rose 0.1% from Europe and 6.1% from Brazil.
The data for November could be worse. Businesses that cater to tourists say sales are way down from a year ago, even on the upscale Avenida Alvear. Meanwhile, occupancy at hotels is down across the country. A friend of mine who owns a chain of five upscale shoe stores – most of which cater to wealthy travelers – says November sales were down by 80% compared with a year ago. “Things are really bad,” he says.
The global financial crisis, which has morphed into a global economic crisis, has hit tango territory.
Popularity: 13% [?]
This is worrying, although myself, working in the tourism business, I have yet to feel a big drop in tourism here, at least in the English speaking market. I think if it does happen, the BIG drop will come in 2009, because many holidays for the tail end of 2008 will already have been booked before the financial crisis really hit, and not that many people will have then cancelled as a result.
Also, maybe the drop in Chilean and other Latin American tourism numbers coming to Argentina could be partly explained by people taking the bus over the border to Argentina, rather than flying, as a cheaper option in harder/more uncertain financial times?
Sorry to hear about the 80% drop in your friend’s business. I sure hope that I don’t experience anything similar soon…
Alan, no worries about a big drop in U.S. tourism numbers for the next few months at least, according to the quarterly Expedia Travel Trendwatch. Reuters reports that “the upcoming holiday and winter travel season will not differ greatly from previous years, and with fuel prices declining in recent months, many airfares are the same or even lower than the 2007 season.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS137427+18-Nov-2008+PRN20081118
Tourism in Buenos Aires saw record numbers in 2007 from foreign travelers. According to figures from the Argentine government, foreign tourist arrivals grew 52% in only 4 years between 2003-2007. Let’s cross our fingers and hope the decline in numbers has less of an impact than some might think.
Inflation is one of the situations right now.
But safety is another one.
Because people wanted to come anyway, to visit the city, get to the beef, see beautiful women dancing the tango….
But with a ex-vicepres. in full action, gesticulating and foaming from his difficult mouth, and funny accent, venting a lot of anger, in a constant state of mental critical care, in a state of constant mental disgust, being condescending, demeaning with the vicepresi, and arriving at own conclussions like a first in charge, of a nation who never wanted him again ….this guy keep stalking a whole nation and no one is doing anything about it.
No wonder tourism has declined, in this pais en serio..
Safety is number one ticket to get a jump in tourism
Everyone knows you need to book well ahead to travel in the Argentine high season. I have friends coming from the US in a couple weeks who would not be coming if they had known the economic crisis was going to hit when they booked their tickets. But 2009, watch out. I think word is slowly getting out that Argentina is not the bargain it once was. We also have the upcoming visa fee to be levied on the US and others which will add some additional negative publicity.
Hey fellas,
I certainly hope the long-running tourism boom doesn’t have a crash landing, but there is some ray of hope in the data, especially for you, Alan. Assuming most of your customers are English speakers (is that a fair assumption?), visits were hardly down at all from the U.S. and Canada and they were actually up from Europe, where many people speak English anyway. How many of your customers are from neighboring countries? If the number if low, you’ve probably got little to worry about.
I do know that hotel reservations are way down and the number of events being planned by foreigners has also plummeted, but some of this won’t be felt until next year for the very reasons that Jonathan mentioned. This is especially true for event planners, as most events were organized a long time ago.
Take care guys, and many thanks for the comments,
Taos
Although a frequent traveler to Argentina, I am rethinking my plans for 2009. Negative publicity, rising prices, strikes, crime and the new entry fee do not add up to an attractive picture. If the situation doesn’t improve, I’ll head for Santiago or Lima.
Now we are in 2009 and we can feel the tourism dropped in Argentina. I think those who did not inflate prices during the good days will benefit now. And those who had ridiculous prices on accommodations would have to bring them down.