Global Courant
With the extra-long weekends of the first part of the year exhausted -we traveled the last one, which coincides with Father’s Day-, the winter holidays 2023 gain prominence on the tourist horizon.
As always, the dates are split: in several provinces, such as Córdoba, Mendoza, Salta, Río Negro or Misiones, they begin on July 10, and the second group -including the city and province of Buenos Aires- starts on July.
For the entire winter vacation period, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports project between 5 and 5.5 million tourists. They place a lot of emphasis on the impulse generated by the arrival of foreign tourists, especially attracted by the snow.
Waterfalls, in the Iguazú National Park. Photo Tourism Missions
At this point, there are already reservations in travel agencies both for destinations in the country and abroad, there is an increase in air frequencies to cover demand and Argentine towns are preparing to seduce with classic attractions and proposals for entertainment for the whole family.
air travel
“Every week, between July and August there will be an average of 1,100 weekly frequencies throughout the network of 39 destinations, 46 inter-sections and 21 international destinations. This means almost 20% more supply compared to 2022 for July and August ”, they assure Aerolíneas Argentinas, which expects to have an average occupancy of 95% and full occupancy in the most traditional tourist destinations. They calculate to transport between 1.4 and 1.5 million passengers each month (in low, the average is 1.1 million).
The airlines reinforce their operations in winter holidays. Photo MARCELO CARROLL
The prices are, logically, those corresponding to high season: traveling in mid-July is not the same as in August.
A roundtrip flight from Buenos Aires to Iguazú by Aerolíneas departing on July 16 and returning on July 20 costs 111,627 pesos. From 7/25 to 7/29, $68,104. On the other hand, from 7/3 to 7 -just before the holidays- the ticket costs $35,296, and from 7/29 to 8/2, $32,543 (prices vary according to date, category and demand).
On the other hand, in the low cost airline JetSmart they note a strong demand for all the snow centers, including the new route to San Martín de los Andes that will be activated on July 3. Also in July it resumes two seasonal routes: Bariloche – Córdoba and Bariloche – Mendoza, with three and four weekly frequencies, respectively.
Winter activities in Ushuaia. Photo Telam
“There is also a significant growth in demand for Iguazú, Salta and Mendoza, the most prominent destinations,” they point out, and assure that there is still room because they have reinforced the offer.
In Flybondi they project a great demand and the three destinations with the most orders for the second half of July are Bariloche, Iguazú and Rio de Janeiro.
Travel agencies say
They all agree that anticipation is key both to get reasonable prices and to find a place. Important: once the decision to travel has been made, it is convenient to proceed with the reservation. There are more chances of being able to choose from the flight schedule to the preferred hotel.
In Rio de Janeiro, aerial view of Christ the Redeemer and the Sugar Loaf. Photo Shutterstock
Nicolas Carrazzoni, commercial director of deturista.com, assures that the demand for destinations in Argentina is permanent, although there are passengers who also choose abroad: Brazil, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. And it offers an idea of package prices to travel around the country: 5 days in Ushuaia, from $266,000; Bariloche, San Martín and Villa la Angostura, from $330,000 for 8 days; 4 nights in Villa la Angostura, from $213,000; or a Tour of the North, from $250,000.
“To travel around the country, the demand began to increase at the end of May. Passengers define their vacations with an average of one month in advance. And for trips abroad, the interest in booking vacations increased with the Hot Sale, which had a positive effect in putting the opportunity to go abroad in July on the agenda”, says Guido Boutet, Marketing Manager of Travel Services.
As happened in 2022, when the peak of sales to travel abroad on winter holidays occurred in May, and for the country in June, now there is an increase in inquiries for cabotage trips.
Salentein Winery, in Mendoza. Photo: Salentein
A package to Mendoza -among the destinations with the most demand- of 4 days/3 nights, with departures on July 21 and 27, costs from $105,606 per person based on doubles; includes round-trip airfare from Buenos Aires, arrival and departure transfers in regular service, 3 hotel nights with breakfast and travel assistance. The price is very similar in packages to Iguazú and El Calafate.
An interesting fact that Travel Services noted is a change in the average duration of trips, which fell: in 2022 it was 6 days for domestic trips and 11 days for international trips. This year the trend indicates that national trips of 4 days/3 nights and international trips of 8 days/7 nights are chosen.
“The great novelty is Cuba, which returned with a very good offer of services. The two-week package is ideal for these holidays, and also out of season”, says Carrazzoni, a tourist. com. Package of 14 days/13 nights in Cayo Coco or Guillermo, Havana and Varadero, direct flights, all inclusive -Havana with breakfast-, transfers and visa, from $1,157,000.
Another option in the Caribbean is Punta Cana & Bayahibe: 11 days, flights, transfers, all-inclusive hotels and assistance, from $1,046,000.
Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana. Photo Shutterstock
For her part, Paula Cristi, general manager of Despegar for Argentina and Uruguay, says that Argentines are mainly opting for national destinations.
The most sought after for now are Bariloche, Ushuaia, San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura. Among international destinations, Madrid, Miami and Rio de Janeiro lead. In beach destinations, Cancun stands out. Some prices: package to Salta, 6 nights in a 3-star hotel and airfare, from $228,000. To Iguazú 6 nights, $194,000. Package to Miami with direct flight and 5 nights in a 4-star hotel, from 594,000.
Pablo Bazzetti, manager of All Seasons, an agency specializing in international destinations, points out that “bookings abroad for July are quite good; there is an intention to travel and a quote is requested especially in beach destinations, such as the Northeast of Brazil, the Caribbean and Miami-Orlando”. And he emphasizes the search for direct flights (or as direct as possible), because the winter holidays are short.
In Brazil, the Rio de Janeiro + Buzios combo is added to the preferences: an All Seasons package with departure on 7/20, airline tickets, transfers, 4 nights in Buzios and 3 in Rio, breakfast and assistance, costs $1,245 per person.
A beach in the Boulevard Kukulcán area, in Cancun (Mexico). Photo EFE/ Alonso Cupul
The same is seen with destinations like Cancun and Punta Cana, “with excellent sales because they have direct flights.” A package to Punta Cana departing on 7/18, Latam tickets, 8 nights all inclusive, transfers to/from the airport, travel assistance, from US$2,899.
At Club Med, a chain renowned for its all-inclusive service, they say they exceeded the consumption levels of 2019 and expect it to accelerate in the second half of the year.
They assure that Brazil is the most chosen destination and that packages with flights and all-inclusive are preferred: the resort of Rio das Pedras (Rio de Janeiro) costs from $551,000 plus taxes per person based on double (subject to modifications). In second place stands out the Dominican Republic, both Punta Cana and its new destination Michés.
Argentine destinations
Winter holidays and snow season coincide in July, and all the destinations in Argentina go out to conquer tourists.
A toucan in Puerto Iguazú. Photo Guira Oga.
In Cataratas, although the flow of visitors is constant throughout the year, July presents a marked seasonality. And the income to the Iguazú National Park is a good measure: they average more than 6,000 daily, with peak days reaching 10,000 and 11,000 visitors.
“Those who choose Iguazú will find a renewed city, a destination that is converging towards a greater integration between what is sustainable and natural, the attention and care of the visitor and an offer that has been renewed since we came out of the pandemic”, says Leo Lucas , in front of Iturem, tourism agency.
He emphasizes that they are “finishing the work on what will be the new Paseo street on Av. Brasil, where a gastronomy offer and night-time activities are harmonized.”
A beer and the landscape of Bariloche. Photo Patagonia Beer
Also on the podium of the most requested, in Bariloche they say that hotel reservations are already at 90% for the remainder of June, July and August. As in previous years, it is going to be a very busy season and an average stay of 5 nights is calculated. There are hostels from $11,000 per night, 3-star hotels from $25,000 and boutique hotels from $60,000. To eat, from $4,500 per person in breweries; lake excursions from 17,000 and land excursions from $4,500.
Focusing on proposals for Nature and Adventure Tourism, Winemaking, Gastronomy and Astrotourism, in La Rioja the most visited places are Villa Unión, Chilecito, La Rioja, Famatina, Chamical, Arauco and the town of Tama. “For holidays we are with very high occupancy levels in the main destinations and in the province in general,” says José Rosa, Secretary of Tourism of La Rioja and believes that they will reach “total full capacity.”
The imposing reddish walls of Talampaya, in La Rioja.
Mar del Plata is another classic that shows very good numbers. “June started very well and for the winter holidays the city is going to be fantastic,” enthused Bernardo Martin, from Emtur, the tourism entity. It is that so far this year, Mar del Plata already accumulates 4,800,000 tourists. Martin emphasizes that no matter what time of year one visits the city, the entire gastronomic and hotel offer will always be open, specialty coffees, restaurants, canteens, the beer and gin circuit. “There are people who come exclusively to eat,” he says.
For holidays there will be special programming for children and families with the opening of cultural spaces and museums, streets closed with animations and a program with axes in music, art, science and painting in central squares.
Mar del Plata, a classic in winter holidays and with movement all year round. Photo Gabriel Bulacio
There are already reserves, but “Mar del Plata has so much capacity that it is always an alternative with the price and quality that each one is looking for,” says Martin.
