air connectivity, the profile of the Argentine traveler and the challenges for tourism

Iberia record figures in Argentina, how the agreement will impact with Aerolineas Argentinas, what is the profile of the tourist who visits Spain and how markets are recovered after the pandemic.

These were some of the issues on which Efe Forum turned “The impact of air transport on Argentine tourism: perspectives, challenges and opportunities”, which organized the EFE agency and the Spanish airline Iberia.

It was an informative meeting starring the aviation industry and the tourism sector for Explore strategies that allow more visitors to capture, enhancing connectivity between different territories.

In the Iberia space, which opened in the Buenos Aires microcentro (Florida 202) a few days ago, the corporate director Juan Cierco emphasized the three daily flights from Iberia between Madrid and Buenos Airesthe 2,000 passengers per day and more than 725,000 seats in 2025, the 18% growth compared to last year’s numbers and the brand new connectivity agreement with Aerolineas Argentinas.

“In 2026 Iberia will turn 80 years uninterruptedly to Buenos Aires from Madridin which we have had good and bad times, but the commitment is indisputable. And so he will continue in the future, “Cierco said.

With respect to the agreement with Aerolineas Argentinas, he said that “it is not only a before and after in the relationship of both countries with 37 cities in the interior of Argentina and 29 in Spainbut it is a connectivity with a global impact from the social, economic and cultural point of view, and we will continue betting on it in the future. ”

When the delegate of EFE in Argentina Esther Rebollo asked about the economic impact of the sector on the Argentine economy, the country manager of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay of Iata, María José Taveira, “fly in our country in a necessity. There are two important indicators: how to contribute the aviation in the generation of work and the GDP.”

“In the direct impact (airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers, etc) 147,000 jobs direct and indirect and around 1.4% of GDP, “he explained, before mentioning the importance of air load in addition to passengers.

How do we compare countries in terms of aviation?Taveira asked. And he pointed out that there is an indicator that is the amount of flights per inhabitant, or in other words, how many flights are made every thousand inhabitants?

“In Argentina the number is 463 and, if we compare it with the rest of the countries in the region (leaving Canada and the United States apart because their figures are very high), we are 20% below.”

“Buenos Aires is one of the great capitals of the world And it has absolutely everything: gastronomy, shows, neighborhoods, theaters, bookstores and the Colón Theater, which of course is one of our jewels … but we always have to innovate and we are very aware that the key is connectivity, “said the president of the Tourism Entity Visit Buenos Aires, Valentín Díaz Gilligan.

According to the official, The city receives 2,800,000 international tourists and more than 6 million national tourists per yearso tourism is “very important for the economy of Buenos Aires. Our vision consists in giving all the tools to the private sector, which is the one that develops the main offer of the city.”

As he said, 120,000 Spanish tourists arrive every year to the citythat spend more than 800 euros for stay without counting the air. In this way, Spain is the fifth country behind Brazil, Uruguay, the United States and Chile.

“Just,” he added, “visiting Buenos Aires is a public-private promotion agency that is responsible for the promotion of the city of Buenos Aires worldwide. And we are also convinced that Tourism is always round trip“.

In that sense, Díaz Gilligan held the Iberia agreement with Aerolineas Argentinas because “although a priori it would seem that the city could be harmed because tourists will go more to El Calafate or Ushuaia, we believe that Buenos Aires will be the great beneficiary: The traveler who wants to go to know the incredible Argentine attractions will also want to stay several days in the city“.

“Argentina is one of the main issuing markets towards Spain, and last year 670,000 Argentines traveled to Spain. In turn, They spend 1.8 billion euros per year“said Felipe Formal Pombo, Minister of Tourism Tourism of Spain.

However, he clarified that “Most concentrate in Madrid And the challenge is to get them to begin to tour and know the rest of the country. We have the Stopover Hello Madrid, Bus & Fly, and now, the new connections with Aerolineas Argentinas, so making the Ushuaia-Valencia route will be much easier. “

How is the Argentine as a tourist? “Argentines like to visit cities, like the cultural and gastronomic offer, and also purchases. For the price-quality ratio of the products and the VAT return system. In addition, Spain is usually the entrance door for a circuit in Europe, “he explained.

The Iberia space will remain open to the public until April 25 in Florida 202 (corner Juan D. Perón), from Monday to Friday from 11 to 19, and Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 to 20.

Con free admissionvisitors can try the menus that are served in the Business, Premium and Tourist Tourist; Sit on the A350 seats (the aircraft with the Madrid-Buenos Aires route) and pilot with a flight simulator.

In addition, there is one Company’s uniform exhibition Throughout its history, and you can participate in wine tastings, ham and other Spanish products, as well as showcooking, concerts, the presence of chef Ugo Chan and many events.

To participate in these free experiences you have to Reserve them in advance in www.espacio.iberia.com.