First surplus since December 2013

The number of tourists arriving in Argentina rose 20.9 percent in August compared to the same month last year, while the number of Argentines who travelled abroad increased seven percent, according to newly released figures by the INDEC statistics bureau.

Meanwhile, for the first time since December 2013 a surplus of foreign currency because of tourism was reported in August as US$245.6 million were spent abroad by Argentines and US$246.4 were spent in the country by foreign tourists.

A total 444,200 foreign visitors arrived in the country in August, accumulating so far this year 3.89 million visitors (on-annual 15 percent growth). Meanwhile, a total 431,800 Argentines visited other countries in August, accumulating so far this year 4,738,000 people who travelled abroad (on-annual 3.3 percent drop)

Foreign tourists spent in Argentina US$246.4 million in August, 20.2 percent more than the same month last year. An average US$90.70 per day were spent by tourists, with the ones from Uruguay who spent the most (US$227). They stayed on average 12 nights, being the ones from Europe who stayed the longest (23 nights).

Foreign tourists arrived mainly from Brazil, Uruguay and Chile, which represented 54.7 percent of the total number of visitors. More than 52 percent of them travelled via airplane, while 38.8 percent chose to travel by land and eight percent by boat.

Meanwhile, Argentines travelling abroad spent US$245.6 million in August, 4.3 percent more than the same month last year. They spent an average US$86.10 per day and stayed an average of 13 nights.

The main destinations of Argentines travelling abroad were Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, which jointly represented 58.8 percent of the trips. Almost 55 percent of them travelled via airplane, while 37.6 percent travelled by land and the remaining eight percent by boat

Date: October 8, 2014

Source: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/171689/number-of-foreign-tourists-up-209