This was stated by the president of the Iturem of the city of Puerto Iguazú-Leopoldo Lucas- who explained that since 2011 there was an increase in tourism of 7% year-on-year, except for the time of pandemic. And investments were made in the hotel, gastronomic and others.
“From that iconic and representative day for all missionaries – on November 11, 2011 – when our fabulous Falls of the Iguazu became one of the new 7 natural wonders of the world, it is that fate has transformed its vision and mission in front of the development of tourism activity. This transformation was given because the eyes of the world began to be put on our destination, in our city and in our province. The road has been arduous, but year after year it has been growing, not only in terms of visitors, but also in structural matters. This increase, obviously, also came with an extension of hotel places, tourist attractions, gastronomy and travel agents, “said Leopoldo Lucas.
He also said that the choice of Iguazu Falls as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature marked a before and after at the destination, “so that from 2011 there was a growth in the amount of demand and diversity of the demand. If we look at the income numbers to the Iguazú National Park, it can be seen that there was an interannual sustained growth of 7% until 2019, where there was also a historical record of visits since 2019 was closed with more than 1, 6 million tourists, “he explained.
As for diversity, he said that foreign tourists began to arrive from places that they almost did not come, such as Russia, China, India, and more presence of North American and Canadian tourists was noticed, “so we practically receive tourists from all World. And there was an increase in national and region tourists” said the tourism official.
And he added that the increase in visits resulted in more investments in hotels to increase hotel places, “today we are with 16 thousand places,” he said.
To this we must add the plus of sustainability “that was installed in the destination because foreign tourism is increasingly demanding with the care of the environment, there was more incorporation of local labor and local products. Thus it is so That today there are more than 40 certified brands at various levels and sustainability criteria and we are also working from the Iguazú destination with this certification, “he said.
The brands that were located in Puerto Iguazú are local, national and also international, in terms of internationals, Leopoldo Lucas stressed that there are two important international brands that promote destiny at the fairs and others through their brands present here.
Gastronomic premises also increased significantly, not only the premises that have always looked, but also important brands set foot in Puerto Iguazú in recent years.
In that sense, he recalled that before the pandemic the gastronomic week was carried out in the city, where the main unilateral and hotels restaurants competed by presenting dishes mainly using products in the region.
As for the recovery of tourism after the pandemic, Lucas said they have had a very good 2023, and this 2024 we started well. Ahead we have a difficult year, a cycle that finds us with an obvious reduction of tourist activity and we, as guests of one of the new 7 natural wonders of the world, we will go out to look for the tourist through our leafy offer and of course Our particular attention that makes us a differential and accessible destination for all. “
It should be noted that the Iguazu Falls are a shared tourist destination, since they are located on the border between Argentina and Brazil, thus 75% of the jumps belong to Argentina and the remaining 25% is from Brazil. The data set out in this report belong to the Argentine side.