Traveling is part of the Argentine lifestyle, and the United Sates is a popular travel destination for both business and pleasure. Argentina has consistently ranked within the top 10 to 15 countries for inbound tourism into the United States. Argentine travel to the United States has grown by double digits during many years.
The peak of Argentine travel occurred in 2017 when over one million Argentines visited the United States, with expenditures totaling US$4.8 billion. However, due to an economic crisis, Argentine travelers to the United States dipped in 2019 to 854,442 passengers. This decline was compounded by the fact that the Government of Argentina (GOA) imposed a 30 percent tax in 2019 and in September 2020 an additional 35 percent tax on purchases made abroad using Argentine credit and debit cards, which included tourism services. In 2020, the Argentine government placed several travel restrictions and closed the borders for more than seven months due to the pandemic. When the Argentine government began loosening restrictions and authorized no more than 25 percent of direct flights to the United States, many Argentines jumped at the opportunity to travel, resulting in 197,748 passengers visiting the United States. In the following year, not all scheduled flights were authorized, nevertheless, 301,794 Argentines traveled to the United States and spent $1.37 billion in total expenditures, representing 52.6 percent growth for the market.
The growth is ongoing and during 2022, Argentina’s numbers increased by 73.9 percent resulting in 524,841 travelers and an estimated $2.36 billion spent in expenditures. The projection for 2023-2024 is to equal pre-pandemic numbers, and when the economy stabilizes, travel and tourism to the United States is projected to increase considerably.
The number of travelers varies depending on the season. Peak travel times tend to be during the Argentine summer holidays (December to February) and winter school holidays (July). Some also choose to travel during the week of September 21, as many children receive a spring holiday.
The top destinations visited by Argentines are Florida (particularly Miami and Orlando), New York, California, and Washington, D.C. The U.S. gateways are Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Miami, and New York City.
To enter the United States, Argentines must possess a valid passport and U.S. visa. Many Argentines also hold European passports and are only required to complete the ESTA form.
Resources
National Travel and Tourism Office (English)
The Brand USA (English)
For additional information, including market analysis, trade events, contacts, and the products and services that the U.S. Commercial Service can provide to help you succeed in Argentina please contact Diana Brandon, Industry Specialist.