The city of Buenos Aires is expanding its tourism offerings to better serve the ever-increasing guests that decide to visit the City of Many Passions. Over 476,217 international tourists visited Buenos Aires during the first quarter of 2017, a 4.6% increase compared to 2016, which saw 455,266. Out of these visitors, 15% were from the U.S. and Canada, while Europeans made up 26%.
Direct connections on several flights between Buenos Aires and Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Miami and New York provide easy access to the destination and hold promise of a great year of growth for Buenos Aires.
In addition to direct access, tourists come for Buenos Aires’ non-stop nightlife, culinary offerings, culture, dance, experimental art, welcoming atmosphere, and diverse lifestyle. As tourism increases and expands in Argentina, Buenos Aires is also continuously developing its options and offerings for those who come, including renovating tourist assistance centers throughout the city to include complimentary Wi-Fi, phone charging stations and more.
“We are excited to see what this year will hold for Buenos Aires and hope the record number of international visitors we welcomed during the first quarter of this year is an indication of our future growth and success,” said Gonzalo Robredo, executive director of the tourism office of Buenos Aires. “The city is constantly innovating to offer a wide array of tourism offerings to serve and welcome a variety of travelers from all over the world.”
The most highly anticipated new hotel opening in Buenos Aires was the June 9 unveiling of The Alvear Icon in the Puerto Madero neighborhood. Located across the Faena Arts Center, this new hotel is a sister property to the city’s most famous luxury hotel, the Alvear Palace in Recoleta. The $100 million USD 34-story tower offers 159 luxuriously appointed rooms, along with nine floors of 50 residences and a convention center for 1,300 people. On the two highest floors guests will find a bar and restaurant with 360º panoramic view of Buenos Aires and the Rio de la Plata coastline. It is also home to Glitter, South America’s most elegant 100% Glatt Kosher restaurant, an outdoor and indoor pool, and an opulent gym and spa complex.
Another highlight of Buenos Aires’ continuous expansion of options for travelers, whether coming for business or pleasure, is the new Buenos Aires Conventions Center, which is opening this year in Recoleta. The facility is adjacent to the city’s law school and near many of the city’s most important tourist attractions, including the Museo de Bellas Artes, Parque Thays and Recoleta Cemetery. The $32 million USD eco-friendly center will have integrated solar panels and is built underground on three levels, connecting to a new H-Line subway station for easy access. Above and surrounding the Center will be 16 acres of new parkland as part of Buenos Aires visionary Urban Greening Plan. The new Buenos Aires Conventions Center capitalizes on the city’s role as the number one expo destination in South America and offers 193,750 sq. ft. of exhibition space.
The Alvear Icon, the Buenos Aires Conventions Center and the newly refreshed Tourist Assistance Centers are just a few of the many offerings for visitors to this thriving South American capital. Almost every day new art galleries, designer shops and restaurants are opening in neighborhoods ranging from the busy MicroCentro to fashionable Palermo Viejo. Year-round festivals, events and sports competitions from gay pride, to polo, to football matches and tango competitions mean there is always something for every visitor to explore no matter what time of year they arrive.
