From the tourism sector they are concerned about the lack of middle-class Argentine tourism.
The balances for the first half of January in Uruguayan tourism sector give positive numbers – and similar to those of the previous year – due to the large presence of Brazilian tourists that balanced the lack of middle class Argentines who always travel to the eastern beaches at this time of year.
The president of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Uruguay, Francisco Rodríguez– in dialogue with Radio Carve – gave details of the first fortnight of the tourism sector in the country and assured that the presence of Brazilian tourists was what made the difference in the face of the economic crisis suffered by the Argentina and that forced the middle class to choose other vacation destinations.
According to Rodríguez, this result is due to the great work of the sector in promoting Uruguay as a vacation spot for Brazilians, focusing on the southern sector of the Brazil. Meanwhile, he announced that this year it will be intensified in the northernmost regions to attract audiences from the most distant places in that country.
Considering the campaign as successful, the president of the association gave the example of Cologne, a destination that 80% was chosen by Uruguayans and Argentines. Faced with the economic crisis of the neighboring country, its participation fell considerably, reaching between 15 and 20%. However, that remaining 80% was made up of Brazilian tourists and tourists from the interior of Uruguay.
A similar case happened in Rocha and Montevideo, the latter specifically in the gastronomic sector. “In Montevideo, the arrival of more Brazilian tourists caused a rebound in gastronomy,” Rodríguez explained, adding that they especially focus on wines and meats.
Slow projections, but with hope
Regarding the second half of January, Rodríguez assured that “they are very slow,” especially in coastal sectors, as well as in Rocha and Cologne, since they depend mainly on domestic tourism. “In this first week there is between 30% and 40% occupancy this first week,” he explained based on information provided by different hoteliers.
However, the president of the hotel association is confident that the programs promoted by the government to promote domestic tourism, such as VAT 0, will allow this time of year to pick up, especially during the weekends. “The beginning of the year was auspicious, let’s hope it continues and does not fall at the end of the second fortnight,” he estimated.
Source: Ambito
