The start of the 2026 summer season shows high occupancy levels in destinations linked to nature and event calendars. In this context, Santa Rosa de Calamuchita in Córdoba province stands out, reaching 95% occupancy, and Villa Carlos Paz with 90%, representing a 20% increase in tourists compared to the previous year. In Patagonia, Villa La Angostura, Traful, and San Martín de los Andes reported full occupancy, while Ushuaia was at 88% and Bariloche at 80%. Other high-demand points included Puerto Iguazú, with rates over 82%, and cities in Entre Ríos like Colón and Gualeguaychú, which exceeded 80%. Meanwhile, destinations in Buenos Aires province showed mixed performance: Mar del Plata reached 60% occupancy and Chascomús 62%. In the north of the country, both Tafí del Valle and Quebrada de Humahuaca had reservations above 70%. The data come from a survey by the Confederation of Argentine Medium-Sized Enterprises (CAME), received by the Argentine News Agency (NA). According to this report, the dynamics of this season are supported by last-minute purchasing decisions and shorter stays. It has been observed that the current tourist defines their trip with minimal advance notice, often within the 72 hours prior, driven by specific events such as festivals, sports competitions, or food fairs. This "peak travel" trend is replacing advance bookings and long-term planning. The consumer spending profile is characterized as rational and selective, prioritizing concrete experiences over ancillary expenditures. The average daily spending per person varies by destination: in Ushuaia, it averages 370,000 pesos due to premium activities and cruises, while in Puerto Iguazú it is 117,940 pesos. In the central region, the city of Santa Fe recorded 219,000 pesos daily, while in Entre Ríos and Chascomús, the figures hover around 97,000 pesos. In regions with less international traction, the amounts are lower: Formosa reports 85,000 and Santiago del Estero 70,000 daily. In Buenos Aires province, official data indicate a 21% drop in spending compared to the first half of January 2025, with a 40% decrease in transactions made through virtual wallets. The average length of stay in destinations is mostly concentrated between 3 and 4 nights. In transit cities or regional getaway destinations, the stay is reduced to one or two nights, as is the case in La Pampa, Formosa, or La Rioja. In contrast, consolidated destinations like Ushuaia, Puerto Iguazú, and Catamarca manage to maintain averages of between 4 and 4.4 days. The market is reorganizing under a logic of budget optimization, where demand responds quickly to a combination of good weather and clear cultural proposals.
