Argentina looking for more Canadian travellers

The Argentina by You roadshow brought together Canadian agents and suppliers from the South American country this week, showcasing its attractions, accommodations and the many sides of the destination.

While more Canadians have been coming to Argentina over the last five years, tour guide and presenter Helena Salico told PAX that she hopes to see those numbers increase through efforts such as the Argentina by You shows. Currently, the U.S. and Europe account for most of Argentina’s international arrivals, Salico said.

“Argentina is a good destination, but not many people in Canada know about us,” she said. “It has lot of things to offer and it will cater to most tourists, with lots of landscapes and things to see and do.”

In a presentation outlining Argentinian travel by region, Salico pointed to three key factors which appeal to travellers: the variety of landscapes, from the country's southern glaciers to salt flats in the north; the opportunity for a wide range of travel, from business to all forms of leisure travel, ranging from backpackers seeking nature or wildlife experiences to luxury excursions; as well as the novelty of visiting a country that is still being discovered by travellers from around the world.

“You may have been to many places, but not everyone has been to Argentina,” she said.

According to Salico, the MICE travel segment is a large part of tourism not only in Argentina but Latin America as a whole. For businesses looking to host a conference in Argentina, Salico pointed to the many opportunities for teambuilding, from outdoor activities like rafting to tango lessons. While the MICE and leisure segments are approximately equal, Salico told PAX that different times of year attract different travellers.

“Leisure and meetings are about the same but they come at different times,” she said. “The meetings are mainly April and May and again in September and October; the leisure travellers come from November to April.”

For Canadian travellers looking to visit Argentina, Air Canada currently offers five weekly flights from Toronto to Buenos Aires.