Bariloche Mayor pushes for tourist eco-tax to fund infrastructure

Walter Cortés, the mayor of San Carlos de Bariloche, has reaffirmed his commitment to implementing a tourist ‘Ecotasa’ (eco-tax). He estimates the measure could generate approximately 4.5 billion pesos annually, which he intends to use for urgent urban infrastructure projects, such as paving 90 city blocks.

Cortés criticized members of the local Gastronomic Chamber who oppose the tax, accusing some business owners of working in the informal economy. He suggested that their resistance stems from a fear that the new tax would force them to formalize their financial records and increase transparency.