Uruguay’s Ministry of Economy expects tourist season to reach 70% of pre-pandemic level

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Ms. Bensión said that compared to the 2019-2020 summer, tourism activity is expected “to reach 70% of that level,” adding that 100% would be reached in 2023 or perhaps in 2024.

She said that “it is very difficult to estimate the impact that restrictions on outbound tourism imposed by the government of Alberto Fernández will have,” but that “Argentines somehow always find a way.” Last week, Argentine authorities banned tourists from using credit cards to pay in installments for tickets and tourist services abroad.

When asked about GDP, she stated that it will grow 3.5% this year and around 3% annually between 2022 and 2024.

The economist pointed out that by September this year, 38,000 of the 50,000 jobs lost due to the pandemic in 2020 had been recovered and 40,000 are expected to be recovered by the end of the year. In addition, forecasts expect the creation of another 40,000 jobs throughout 2022.

“We are on the way and on a path of growth, because we should also recall that in the 5-year period prior to the inauguration of this government, 60,000 jobs had been destroyed. In other words, we have a debt with the population to recover at least the 110,000 jobs that were destroyed in the past six years,” she added.