Buenos Aires Reporting US Traveler Boom

16.07.2024 - 20:39 / travelpulse.com / El Calafate / South America / Brian Major

The years following the pandemic have been a boom period for travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s famed capital city.

U.S. travelers have buoyed the city’s visitor arrivals. Last year 318,016 U.S. vacationers visited Buenos Aires, an 11 percent increase over 2022. The total also represents a 20 percent increase over pre-pandemic 2019, as the South American city has rebounded strongly from pandemic travel restrictions.

Buenos Aires tourism officials are “very optimistic” regarding year-to-date arrivals from the U.S. market, which they consider the country’s most important long-haul source market.

Valentín Díaz Gilligan is president of the Buenos Aires Tourism Board, Visit Buenos Aires and Argentina's Federal Tourism Council. TravelPulse spoke recently with the Buenos Aires tourism leader for a closer look at the country’s tourism success.

TP: Where does Buenos Aires rank among Argentine tourism destinations?

VD: Buenos Aires as the capital city of Argentina [and] the main entrance to the country. It is the most important destination in Argentina, followed by the Iguazu Falls, El Calafate, Mendoza and Bariloche.

TP: What is the Visit Buenos Aires’ role?

VD: [The organization] promotes tourist experiences involving culture, gastronomy [and] sports to capture the attention of the high yield traveler who spends more in the visited destination and is conscious about the impact of tourism in the culture and the environment.

TP: How would you describe the city’s character?

VD: Buenos Aires is a year-round destination and is a human scale city due to its walkability and livability. It has a unique culture scene that can rival that of New York or London and a very sophisticated gastronomy offer that since 2023 also involves Michelin-starred restaurants.

TP: What attractions (natural, cultural and historic) are most visitors to the country interested in visiting?

VD: Among the most visited attractions [are] the Colon Opera House, one of the best lyric theaters in the world; the Recoleta cemetery with the tomb of Eva “Evita” Perón, La Boca neighborhood with its [colorful] painted houses, San Telmo with its open-air market on weekends and the Plaza the Mayo, the square that hosted Argentina's most important [historic] events.

TP: Are there other cultural and culinary attractions travelers can experience in while in the city?

VD: The Tango and the Argentine beef are also among the most important assets that the city offers in terms of tourism.

TP: How are Buenos Aires tourism officials promoting the country to American travelers?

VD: We believe that contact with the trade is crucial to promote the city in the US market. Argentina is generally perceived as an exotic, long-haul destination by American travelers and that