9-10-16
The Minister of Tourism, Liliam Kechichian, expressed her satisfaction with the arrival of Argentines to Punta del Este. The long weekend encouraged Maldonado's tourism operators and official authorities to have good expectations regarding the upcoming summer season.
Most of the visitors were from Argentina and Uruguay who travelled east on a weekend when the weather was favourable.
The Minister of Tourism, Liliam Kechichian, expressed her satisfaction with the arrival of Argentines to Punta del Este. At the restaurant level, meanwhile, the good influx of public was highlighted, while in the real estate sector they predict a good season but ask for caution, according to consultations by El Observador in Maldonado.
Leoandro Quiroga, president of the Punta del Este Gastronomic Corporation, said the restaurants performed "very well" and significantly better than the same weekend last year. Customers were predominantly Argentine, Quiroga told El Observador.
The commercial and gastronomic movement has been intense since Friday, particularly on the main avenues of the peninsula such as Gorlero and Calle 20, as well as the port area. The presence of Argentines and, to a lesser extent, Brazilians is notable.
Andrés Jafif, mayor of Punta del Este and former vice president of the Maldonado real estate conglomerate, commented that "many Uruguayans and many Argentine property owners" were seen on the peninsula. "Rental reservations are delayed, and are now being booked more toward the end of November or the beginning of December," he commented. However, he said he predicts "a good season, but with caution." He also indicated that Argentines are checking rental prices and others have arrived to rent out their properties. More than three million
The minister expects 2016 to close with the arrival of more than 3 million tourists. "The conditions are in place for a very good season," Kechichián said of next summer.
According to official data, in 2015, 85% of tourists who arrived were Argentines and Brazilians.
There were 2.035.540 Argentine visitors who spent 1.184 million. There were also 473.605 Brazilians who contributed US$ 251 million. In addition, 151.920 people from European countries arrived who spent US$ 117 million according to data from the 2016 Yearbook of the Ministry of Tourism.
elobservador.com.uy
