Argentina Plans Schengen Space to Foster Regional Travel

Gustavo Santos, tourism minister of Argentina aspires to make the country the backbone of an integrated Mercosur with the Pacific Alliance. Speaking at the International Tourism Fair, Fitur, he said that it is the role Argentina must play and they should be leaders in this strategic area.

“We have much to grow”, Argentina is going to propose to Brazil, and Chile a visas reciprocity, which if accepted and implemented it could help create a free movement Schengen space, such as exists in the European Union.

Santos said Argentina expects arriving tourists to increase 50% in the next few years, and underlined the good numbers of 2016, particularly since last August, when they again started to grow after 18 depressing months.

The country witnessed 20% and 16% increase in tourists from China and the US. But the big boost was from Brazil with a 38% jump during December, following an enormous contraction the previous year.

Argentina has a wide range of tourism options from national parks and reserves (eco-tourism) to adventure tourism. Santos said that there is an “indissoluble bond” between the environment and human development, and responsible tourism is an inclusive industry that helps combat poverty, creates jobs, looks after resources and respects the different communities.