Travel and Tourism Services

PDF version

Market Overview

Traveling is part of the Argentine lifestyle, and the United Sates is a popular travel destination for both business and pleasure. Based on recent figures travel to the U.S. is up 17 percent from 2010, with more than 512,258 Argentines who travelled to the U.S. during 2011 alone. The year before in 2010, 436,192 Argentines visited the United States, a steady 22 percent increase from previous year. As more and more people travel to the U.S. each year, opportunities within the tourism industry continue to grow. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that Argentines spend US$ 5,400 per person on travel expenses to the US (including airfare generated by U.S. carriers). This comes as good news for travel agents, airline provides, hotel managers, and many other travel service providers.

The number of travelers varies depending on the season. Peak travel times tend to be during the summer holidays (December-February) and winter school holidays (July). Though, some choose to travel during the week of September 21st, as many children receive a spring holiday then in addition to their other times off. Travelling between the two counties is fairly easy, and the only requirement before entering the U.S., in addition to a valid passport, is to obtain a travel visa.

Return to top

Sub- Sector Best Prospects

New tourism destinations are being actively promoted at the major industry shows, and the business travel sector experienced substantial growth last year, as many Argentines are visiting trade shows and congresses in a wide variety of industry sectors.

Return to top

Opportunities

The top destinations frequently visited by Argentines are Florida (especially Miami and Orlando), New York City, California, and Washington D.C. The U.S. gateways are Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Miami, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Return to top

Key Figures 

Argentine Travelers to the U.S.

Year	Total Passengers	Growth
2009	356,428
2010	433,140
2011 est.	512,258	17%
2012 est.	535,000	5%

Data Sources: Office of Travel and Tourism Industries – International Trade Administration – U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Travel Association and Argentine Secretariat of Tourism.

Return to top

Trade Events 

In Argentina

Event: Dates: Place: Description:

Feria Internacional de Turismo (FIT) September 14-17, 2013 La Rural Exhibition Center, Buenos Aires  Feria Internacional de Turismo, coordinated by the Argentine Association of Travel & Tourism, is an excellent venue for American companies to exhibit their travel and tourism opportunities to the Latin American market.  Close to 40,000 individuals, the first two days, and nearly 20,000 retail travel agents, the second two days, attend the event every year, including buyers from neighboring countries such as Chile and Uruguay.  The U.S. Commercial Service, Buenos Aires sponsors the US Pavilion that includes American companies promoting their services.

In the United States

Event: Dates: Place: Description:

International Pow Wow June 8-12, 2013 Las Vegas, NV Coordinated by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), the International Pow Wow is the travel industry's premier international marketplace and is the largest generator of Visit USA travel. In just three days of intensive pre-scheduled, computer-generated business appointments, more than 1,000 U. S. travel organizations from every region of the USA, and representing all industry category components, and more than 1,500 international delegates and domestic buyers from more than 65 countries conduct business negotiations. International Pow Wow is also an opportunity for unique news coverage for USA travel destinations and products. There are typically more than 250 travel journalists from over 40 countries at International Pow Wow each year. Great opportunities exist for destination and product articles to appear in major trade and consumer publications.

Return to top

Useful Links 

Argentine Web Sites

U.S. Web Sites

U.S. Airlines

Return to top

Contact Information

Please feel free to contact the U.S. Commercial Service Argentina Specialist mentioned below for additional information or assistance.

Diana Brandon
Travel and Tourism Services Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service Argentina
Embassy of the United States of America
Av. Colombia 4300
C1425GMN Buenos Aires, Argentina
Phone: (54-11) 5777-4550
Fax:    (54-11) 5777-4203
Email:  Diana.Brandon@trade.gov

Please take note that all our market research is available in the U.S. Government Export Portal, free to registered users.  If you have not already joined the Export.gov community, register now and access all the market information offered by the federal government.  

Return to top