Architecture & Culture ‘Old’ Buenos Aires gets a face-lift, revitalising its historic centre 17-06-2022 09:23 The capital’s historic centre is going through some urban renewal in a bid to rescue its weary core from the ravages of the pandemic.
TOURISM & TRAVEL Chile to reopen Easter Island for tourism for first time since pandemic 22-05-2022 08:28 Popular Pacific Ocean tourist destination Easter Island will reopen to the world on August 1, after more than two years closed due to the pandemic.
Travel Chile to reopen land borders with Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia 11-04-2022 12:36 Chile government decrees opening of all of the country’s land borders that were closed during the coronavirus pandemic, starting May 1.
TRAVEL & TOURISM Buenos Aires' famous Recoleta Cemetery is now charging tourists to enter 08-04-2022 13:29 Recoleta Cemetery began charging tourists to enter last Monday, prompting mixed reactions from city workers and tour guides alike. by Hannah Gonzalez
PREVIAJE PROGRAMME Santa Claus does not exist – but the tourist industry does 07-01-2022 23:08 Tourism & Sports Minister Matías Lammens responds directly to Federico Sturzenegger’s critique of the government's Previaje scheme. by Matías Lammens
PREVIAJE PROGRAMME There is no Santa Claus! 07-01-2022 23:06 Former Central Bank governor gives his take on the national government’s Previaje programme. by Federico Sturzenegger
TOURISM Tourism experts predict ‘record season’ in Argentina 07-01-2022 22:46 More than 16 million people are expected to travel in the first three months of this year; National government reveals more than 4.5 million tourists used its PreViaje programme in 2021.
Bloomberg President announces agreement to freeze tourism prices 28-12-2021 22:48 The agreement includes hotels, restaurants and travel agencies. The Tourism Ministry will monitor prices through weekly surveys throughout the season.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Economy grew 6.7% year-on-year in October, according to INDEC 23-12-2021 16:43 Economic activity grew 6.7 percent in October year-on-year, but fell 0.8 percent compared to September, according to INDEC.
Bloomberg Latam Airlines reaches bankruptcy deal that hands reins to creditors 28-11-2021 08:37 Latam Airlines Group SA has reached a deal with key stakeholders that paves the way for the Chilean carrier to slash debt and exit bankruptcy under new ownership.
Coronavirus pandemic Argentina tightens Covid rules amid fears over new variant 26-11-2021 20:04 Government introduces new Covid rules, including the implementation of a health pass to attend activities in closed spaces, amid growing concerns over a new coronavirus variant identified in South Africa.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Economy beats forecast despite political woes 23-11-2021 19:03 Argentina’s economy expanded more than expected in September as tourism, manufacturing and construction picked up.
BOOZE BAN FOR BRAZILIANS? Uruguayan tourism sweats over Copa Libertadores final alcohol ban 10-11-2021 17:03 Uruguayan lawmakers and workers in the tourism industry call for suspension of alcohol ban, so that football fans can celebrate the Copa Libertadores final in Montevideo with a few beers.
TOURISM & TRAVEL Nation reopens borders to foreign tourists 05-11-2021 18:20 Starting November 1, Argentina has lifted restrictions to enter and exit the country from international airports.
Global pandemic New rules for travelling Argentines visiting Europe, UK 29-10-2021 23:26 The United Kingdom and the European Union changed entry rules for Argentines this week, with new details regarding vaccination.
BLOOMBERG Argentina will let foreign tourists bring in dollars at a lucrative rate 29-10-2021 15:02 Foreigners travelling to Argentina will be able to exchange up to US$5,000 to pesos at the more lucrative MEP (Medio Electrónico de Pagos) rate using a temporary bank account, according to new Central Bank rules.
BLOOMBERG Aerolíneas chief: Domestic flight traffic won’t recover until mid-2022 28-10-2021 13:33 Argentina’s flagship carrier expects domestic operations to reach pre-pandemic levels by July of next year, according to its top executive Pablo Ceriani.
TRAVEL & TOURISM Argentina finally scraps entry quotas for travellers arriving by air 20-10-2021 13:01 Entry caps for air passengers to Argentina were finally eliminated by the authorities on Tuesday as promised – 14 days after the country reached the landmark of half the population fully vaccinated.
FELIZ CUMPLE CRISTO Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue celebrates 90th birthday 13-10-2021 09:16 Iconic statue that towers over Rio de Janeiro celebrates its 90th birthday with a Mass, new song and a new bottle of booze.
TRAVEL & TOURISM UK cuts 47 countries from Covid travel 'red list,' including Argentina 09-10-2021 12:52 Removal from the "red list" means passengers will no longer be required to enter hotel quarantine. Instead, those required to enter lockdown can spend their 10-day period at a home or private residences.
Coronavirus pandemic Government unveils plan to ease Covid restrictions, reopen borders 21-09-2021 15:32 The use of facemasks outdoors will no longer be mandatory in Argentina as from October 1, the government announced on Tuesday as part of a sharp easing of restrictions, including the gradual reopening of borders.
BLOOMBERG Argentina eases travel curbs as midterm campaign ramps up 21-09-2021 14:12 Government lifts travel and social restrictions as it seeks to boost the economy and recover voter support ahead of midterm elections in November.
TRAVEL & TOURISM Vaccination will be certified via 'Mi Argentina' app while overseas 10-09-2021 02:19 Travellers will certify their vaccination record when overseas using ‘Mi Argentina’ app, says government.
NATURE & WILDLIFE Do tourist boats stress out whales? Researchers find out... 08-09-2021 18:16 Researchers from Whale Wise, a marine conservation charity, are studying the stress level of cetaceans, in order to establish if they get stressed during encounters with tourists.
Coronavirus pandemic Government could reopen border to foreign tourists next month 24-08-2021 14:41 Government could re-open country’s borders to foreign tourists next month, according to Casa Rosada sources.
Tourism Dog sledding draws tourists back to Ushuaia 21-08-2021 20:14 In the midst of the snowy valleys of Ushuaia, Argentina’s southernmost city, Hugo Flores’ business is getting back on its feet, after being hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Tourist Activities Learning languages in other cities via tourism 19-08-2021 11:13 Just as Argentina sees a new horizon for tourist activities, so is the rest of the world, since – thanks to the advance of vaccination campaigns in large sectors of society – the probabilities of reactivating visits to different tourist sites are high.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Foreign tourist numbers down 90% in first five months of year 16-07-2021 00:42 Barely 6,800 tourists entered the country in May, while there were 30,000 residents travelling in the opposite direction.
City tourism Hotels in Buenos Aires face long night of Covid-19 04-07-2021 00:38 Federal Capital is home to almost 900 hotels, of which roughly 70% are shuttered. Hoteliers say they’re in “total despair,” with tourism unlikely to rebound anytime soon.
Coronavirus pandemic Argentina risks stranding its own citizens abroad, airlines warn 28-06-2021 15:13 Argentina's decision to limit the number of daily international arrivals, in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid-19, runs the risk of stranding thousands of its citizens abroad.
MIDDLE EAST Israel’s return to normal hits bump with virus surge 24-06-2021 09:21 Israelis can expect to start donning masks again after its bid to return to a post-Covid normal was hobbled by a surge in infections linked to the highly transmissible delta variant.
Global pandemic Covid-19 brings tourism, science to a halt on Galapagos Islands 28-04-2021 11:03 With the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, human activity on the Galapagos Islands ground almost to a halt, leaving giant tortoises, iguanas and other endemic species to themselves.
Global Pandemic EU to propose vaccine 'digital green pass' for safe movement 01-03-2021 12:37 This month, the European Commission will propose rules for an EU "Digital Green Pass" showing proof of Covid-19 vaccination and test results.
Coronavirus pandemic Government extends border closures until end of February 01-02-2021 23:04 Argentina’s government has extended the closure of its borders, extending a decree that prohibits non-resident foreigners from entering the country until the end of this month without special dispensation.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Argentina limits entry to country amid new strains, rising infections 26-12-2020 09:17 Government moves to restrict entry to Argentines and citizens who reside in country, with limited exceptions for foreigners, diplomats and travellers who have previously authorised travel planned. Measures to remain in place until January 8.
BUENOS AIRES The Gibraltar: The British-style boozer where everyone is welcome 19-12-2020 09:29 The Gibraltar, a British-style pub in the heart of San Telmo, has been a favourite of porteños, tourists and expats for two decades. The secret to its success? A warm, friendly atmosphere that ensures many first-time visitors instantly feel like – and become – regulars. by Reporting by Jonah Shrock. All photos by Pablo Cuarterolo for the Buenos Aires Times.
Solar eclipse Solar eclipse plunges southern Chile, Argentina into darkness 14-12-2020 20:36 Despite Covid-19 restrictions on movement, almost 300,000 tourists arrived in the Araucania region of Chile on Monday to witness the solar eclipse.
TRAVEL & TOURISM Verano Certificate: Travelers need certificate for summer holidays 03-12-2020 15:06 National Tourism Ministry launches an online registration system for tourists ahead of summer vacation season. Pre-booked details obligatory in several provinces. by Clara Fernández Escudero
Bloomberg AA2000 plans key investment as concession extended 10 years 01-12-2020 22:03 Aeropuertos Argentina 2000, the country's largest airport operator, has pledged to invest US$2.5 billion after receiving a 10-year extension for its local airport concession.
Global pandemic Peru's Machu Picchu reopening Sunday after pandemic closure 28-10-2020 08:05 Currently open to maintenance workers only, the world-renown Incan citadel of Machu Picchu will reopen to the public on November 1.
TRAVEL & TOURISM South America’s posh summer spot to stay shut on Covid 25-10-2020 14:37 Uruguay, home to luxury beach resort Punta del Este, will keep its international borders closed this summer, President Luis Lacalle Pou confirmed last week.
Coronavirus pandemic Covid-19 hits Mar del Plata, as pandemic surges in Argentina 19-10-2020 07:00 Mar del Plata has become an epicentre in a coronavirus surge through Argentina's interior that has given the country the fifth-highest confirmed case total in the world.
TRAVEL & TOURISM Commercial flights to and from Argentina could restart in October 05-09-2020 10:17 Transport Minister Mario Meoni says health and safety protocols are ready, but that final decision will be taken by President Alberto Fernández in coming days.
GUEST VOICE Tourists will return, but how many of us will be left? 29-08-2020 09:14 In Salta Province, we are one of 164 travel agencies; there are 530 hotels and more than 1,200 bars and restaurants, many of whom rely on free-spending holidaymakers to improve their profit margins. by Nick Evans
Global pandemic Brazil reopens to foreign visitors arriving by air, despite virus crisis 30-07-2020 11:04 Move comes even as Brazil registered record numbers of daily infections and deaths, bringing the overall figures past 2.5 million and 90,000, respectively.
TOURISM & TRAVEL Neuquén the first province to kick off plans to revive tourism 25-07-2020 08:07 Officials begin to roll out schemes to boost sector, especially in Argentina’s inland provinces.
TRAVEL & TOURISM Pandemic deals brutal blow to Argentina’s tourism industry 25-07-2020 07:51 Tourism chambers and agencies call for emergency legislation to protect businesses, with slump in activity expected to shave between one and four percent off Argentina’s GDP this year. More than 80,000 job losses anticipated across sector. by Fermin Koop
BLOOMBERG Jobs are being wiped out at airlines – and there’s worse to come 24-07-2020 15:34 About 400,000 airline workers have been fired, furloughed or told they may lose their jobs due to the coronavirus.
Coronavirus Pandemic Once-bustling La Boca struggles without tourists 23-07-2020 02:00 Legendary neighborhood, normally filled to the brim with tourists and shops, now appears deserted due to quarantine and travel regulations. Shopkeepers and residents struggle to cope with economic contraction and loneliness.
TRAVEL & TOURISM Pandemic to deliver 'unprecedented' blow to tourism in Latin America, Caribbean 02-07-2020 03:21 Coronavirus pandemic to deliver "unprecedented blow" to tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter-American Development Bank warns.