Entre Ríos tourism sector in emergency as occupancy plunges

The Entre Ríos Chamber of Tourism warned that the province’s tourism system is in a “true emergency.” Average hotel occupancy during the first week of the school recess was only about 30%, rising modestly to 40% over the long weekend of July 9‑12, far below the levels needed for hotels, resorts and restaurants to cover operating costs. The chamber’s substitute auditor, Juan Enrique Solari, said the downturn reflects a two‑and‑a‑half‑year trend of falling demand and the disappearance of advance reservations, forcing travelers to book at the last minute or cancel outright. Rising operational expenses are compounding the problem, leaving many businesses focused on survival rather than growth. Only a few thermal destinations—such as Federación and Villa Elisa—managed occupancy rates between 60% and 65%, while the rest of the province recorded considerably lower figures. The chamber called for urgent measures to prevent a further deterioration ahead of the summer season.