How has the tourist season been presented so far?
-We have been confirming what we had already mentioned in that there is a situation of recovery in the tourism sector after the opening of borders that is consolidated in this summer season.
We can say that in 2022 this recovery began with the movement of non-resident tourists and in this sense, it is the ministry that evaluates the statistical figures quarterly, there we verified that in 2022 it grew, to the point that in the third quarter we already had the same figures of non-resident tourists as in the same period of 2019, the last year pre-pandemic. And the fourth quarter closed in December we already had more tourists than in the fourth quarter of 2018.
We are closing January with 479,400 tourists non-residents, that represents much more than what happened in the pre-pandemic stage. In other words, if we compare January 2023 in round figures, they are much more than in January 2019, when we had 430,000. In summary, not only is the recovery consolidated, but we have more tourists than we had in the pre-Covid-19 stage.
-And in the case of spending?
-In spending we could also say that the same thing happened, although it does not grow in the same proportion as the number of tourists.
In reality, the expenditure that we have analyzed in primary figures was 325 million dollars in January and we had 350 million in January 2019. There it is clearly seen that the situation of exchange difference with Argentina It influences because Argentine tourists continue to be the largest number of visitors.
To this we must add that the mobility of Uruguayans has grown in all departments and in some it has grown substantially, for example in maldonado which grew more than 30%. This confirms that the season is going to be very good because it is not over yet and in all destinations in the country. Not only in the east, but also as it happened, for example, in the thermal area.
-What are the projections for February and the rest of the season, taking into account that we have the Carnival holiday next week?
-February is always a month when there are fewer visitors. It is still too early to evaluate it and that key week of Carnival is missing, which the different operators already report to us that there is a level of reservations and occupancy close to 100%. We are confident that we will close the quarter with a recovery and consolidation of this very important sector that has come to generate more than 100,000 jobs.
– Has it been possible to work on the issue of prices? Is it a myth that Uruguay is too expensive for regional tourism?
– We work from public policies, permanently in contact with private operators through the Uruguayan Chamber of Tourismin periodic meetings and in that sense it sought to serve the sector with special measures , taxes , taxes with social security as VAT rate 0 for Uruguayan tourists, as well as the promotional work that has been carried out throughout the year participating in exhibitions, generating meetings, workshops that have been very popular with the Brazilian and Chilean market among others. I think we are on the right track.
– What about what is considered unfair competition such as internet hosting platforms?
-This is an old claim that the tourist accommodation sector and a concern we share. A bill is ready to be sent by the Executive powerI think the signature of only the president is missing.
Tuesday would be beginning to treat in the Parliament and has the objective of regulating the living place tour social. We think so there is proven unfair competition from individuals nowadays with the platforms. It is something similar to what happened at the time with uber. It is another of the areas of economic activity in which technology brought this informalism. Now then they will be regulated and they will be required to register like all hotels or accommodations that regularly pay their obligations, to enable accommodation they must meet all the requirements.
-In January, at the beginning of the season, there was a certain controversy with the opposition over the issue of figures, questioning whether or not we are facing a successful season. How was that overcome?
-That was given by a comment from the undersecretary Rowing Monzaeglio that with his experience he catalogs the season as the greatest he has seen in recent years. This was at the beginning of January, the movement was seen by everyone and they denied it.
I think that all Uruguayans have to be very happy that the start is good , because remember that last year when we thought it was going to be very good the season came omicron and an increase in infections that complicated the season. I think this has been clarified.
The present and future of the Colorado Party
– Lately there have been some difficulties at the level of the Colorado Party as a result of the departure of government officials for political reasons. Could this have an impact on next year’s electoral race?
-I believe that political problems or errors can always exist. If not, review history and no game is free. I think the difference is in how it is overcome.
The Colorado Party in absolutely all cases decided quickly and resolved by the sanctions or with the attitude that a party should take in the face of mistakes. Today we are happy that we do not have anyone who has been sentenced before justice. Only at the end of the year will the issue of nominations come out.
– Is it less difficult for the government to dispense with a red minister than another party in the coalition?
-No not at all. The member ministers of the Colorado Party who have resigned have done so by their own decision and under different circumstances. From the former chancellor Ernesto Talvinotoriously due to a personal issue three months after the start of the government, until the last case of the Minister of the Environment Adrian Pena.
Source: Ambito
