In 2024, Mexico joined as one of the standout destinations in Latin America. In the City of Buenos Aires, 56 restaurants are recognized by the Michelin Guide, of which 4 are distinguished with stars: Aramburu with 2 and Don Julio, Trescha, and Crizia, with 1; additionally, 10 establishments obtained the Bib Gourmand recognition. For its part, Mendoza harvested 6 Michelin stars, 5 green stars, and the list of Selected is made up of 18 gastronomic establishments. The importance of being part of the Michelin Guide According to studies carried out by the British consulting firm Ernst & Young, there are multiple positive results that destinations and companies that appear in this world-renowned and prestigious guide obtain. Tourism Catalyst • 76% of travelers would choose a Michelin destination over a comparable one. • 80% would extend their stay if the destination has Michelin-starred restaurants. • 2/3 would increase their spending during the visit. Economic Engine • +50% average increase in income for selected restaurants. • 82% plan to hire more staff. • 60% expand their teams after being included in the Guide. Impact on hotel and transport structure. • 58% of chefs highlight the recognition as a source of motivation and pride for the team. Within the framework of the Vendimia Festival, the head of Government of the City of Buenos Aires, Jorge Macri, and the governor of the province of Mendoza, Alfredo Cornejo, signed an agreement with the Michelin Guide to promote tourism. From the meeting, in the city of Mendoza, also participated Valentín Díaz Gilligan, president of the Buenos Aires City Tourism Entity, according to the Argentine News Agency. The agreement with the Guide contemplates the annual independent selection of restaurants, a global digital amplification strategy, dedicated editorial content for the destination, and a brand partnership that positions Buenos Aires and Mendoza as Michelin Guide Destination Partners. From the City of Buenos Aires, this decision is framed within the promotion strategy that strengthens international positioning through gastronomy, a sector that represents one of the main travel motivators for visitors. In this sense, the Buenos Aires City Tourism Entity continuously promotes the visit to Buenos Aires by internationally renowned chefs, journalists, and opinion leaders, and Visit Buenos Aires participates together with the Argentine Investment Agency and INPROTUR in gastronomic events and fairs in places such as Madrid, Mexico City, São Paulo, Barcelona, London, and New York. "We have a clear objective, which is to continue consolidating the City as a gastronomic capital, where the experience of every person who sits down to eat, Argentine or foreigner, is unique. It is a pride for us to belong to the Michelin Guide alongside global cities such as Paris, Madrid, and Rome". Cornejo, for his part, highlighted the relevance of maintaining the presence of the Michelin Guide in the province: "Being part of the Michelin Guide places us in an international showcase as gastronomic referents. It is a recognition of the sustained work that Mendoza has been doing for years, with a strong articulation between the public and private sectors". A milestone for Argentine gastronomy With the arrival of the Michelin Guide in Argentina, with the corresponding awards for the year 2024, a historic milestone was marked, as the country became the first Spanish-speaking country in Latin America to be covered by the prestigious publication, positioning the City of Buenos Aires and the Province of Mendoza on the global gastronomic map. Only four cities in South America have Michelin Guide recognitions: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil; and the City of Buenos Aires and Mendoza, in Argentina. "This agreement is key to continue improving. It's not just about eating something delicious, but also being well-served in a place with its own history and life, that makes one want to come back," Macri stated. And he expressed: "Every memory someone takes from a restaurant, a bodega, or a club, or from any of our notable cafes or bars expresses our identity, our flavors combined with the talent of thousands of professionals in a gastronomic sector that produces and prepares between 12 and 15 million daily rations."
