Argentina records historic inbound tourism in first half of 2026

Between January and June 2026 Argentina received 1,434,001 visitors from non‑border countries, the highest total in the past 25 years and surpassing the 2019 peak. The six‑month total of foreign arrivals reached 3,115,089, with roughly half coming from distant markets. Tourism officials linked the surge to the government's open‑sky and visa‑facilitation policies, noting that “more connectivity, more tourists, more jobs, more foreign currency” are driving the growth. A new seasonal route by Gol Airlines will connect São Paulo with El Calafate and Ushuaia, aimed at boosting Brazilian tourism to Patagonia. Winter‑season hotel occupancy remained strong, with Bariloche at 85 % capacity, Malargüe at 80 % and Tierra del Fuego near 70 %. Provincial initiatives also featured: Mendoza announced simplified registration procedures for tourism service providers; Neuquén’s main bus terminal recorded over 33,000 winter‑season passengers, and the province’s ski resorts lifted occupancy to about 60 % after fresh snowfall. In Uruguay, the Ministry of Tourism and ANDE approved nine nautical‑tourism projects in Colonia, allocating $6.887 million in non‑repayable funds to support local entrepreneurs.