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Buenos Aires to Punta del Este: Buquebus Airlines Exceeds Expectations

On December 10, 2010, In competitiveness, tourism, uruguay, by InvestBA
Buquebus Airlines

Air Buquebus provides convenient, short-haul service to underserved markets like Punta del Este (pictured).

The summer season is upon us, so it’s a good thing Aeroparque Jorge Newberry is back to full strength with a newly-paved runway and more terminal enhancements to come. The most welcome addition to the International Terminal has to be Buquebus Airlines.

InvestBA shared the new airline announcement back in March, but this will be the first summer challenge for the company better known for ferry crossings between Argentina and Uruguay. If a flight this week to Punta del Este is any indication, the Montevideo-based company is more than up to the challenge.

The pre-flight reservation system is seamlessly integrated into the existing online platform making flight and ferry recommendations together based on your desired travel dates. (Pluna still has the cleanest, most JetBlue-like user interface, but BQB is a close second.) Fares are competitive, departure times are abundant and the list of destinations keeps growing. Buenos Aires-based passengers can fly direct to Punta del Este (PDP) or Montevideo where BQB offers connecting service to Salto, Rivera, Porto Alegre, Iguazu and Florianopolis.

Buquebus has a modern fleet of aircraft (twin-engine turboprop ATR 72-500′s), offers quality in-flight catering and allows passengers to check one 48-pound piece of luggage free of charge. Most importantly, Buquebus is bringing affordable, short-haul service to major markets like Rosario and Córdoba which will soon enjoy direct service to Punta del Este….welcome news for hotel and real estate developers in the balneario uruguayo.

For more information about flying to Uruguay and Punta del Este vacations, download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

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Of Brazilians & Escapadas: Another Record Year for Argentina Tourism

On November 16, 2010, In a-bric, foreign investment, tourism, by InvestBA
Bienvenidos Argentina

A record number of foreign visitors have spent over US$3 billion in Argentina so far this year.

5,000,000. That’s the number of foreign visitors Argentina’s Ministry of Tourism is forecasting for 2010. And judging by the numbers through the first ten months of the year, the country will easily reach that number and shatter the old record set in 2008. The numbers also paint a picture of the economic strength of Argentina’s neighbors and the lingering effects of the global financial crisis in the U.S. and Eurozone.

Before the crisis the bulk of foreign visitors to Argentina were from the E.U., the U.S. and Canada. In 2006, 22% of incoming visitors were from the E.U. and 17% were from the U.S. and Canada. Fast forward to 2010 and Brazil has emerged as the number one country of origin for Argentina tourists with 33% of the tourist pie. According to Cronista, the number of Brazilians arriving via Ezeiza and Aeroparque through the first nine months of the year more than doubled to 646,449.

As InvestBA has documented previously, Brazilian tourists are shopaholics who spend US$156 per day, the same as Chilean visitors and 40% more than the average tourist spends per day (US$113). Not surprisingly, Brazilian and Chilean visitors are more likely to travel to Argentina for “escapadas” (quick getaways) averaging 5 days per trip, while North Americans and Europeans spend an average of 13 and 20 days in Argentina, respectively. (Full Story in Spanish)

For more information about Argentina vacations and unique destinations, download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

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Derailed: Hopes for Rebuilding Argentina’s Rail Infrastructure

On November 6, 2010, In a-bric, competitiveness, by InvestBA
Tranvía Retiro - La Boca

The Retiro-Boca Tranvi­a in Buenos Aires is just one of Argentina's ghost trains.

With Aeroparque Jorge Newberry closed for renovations until December 1, it is a chaotic weekend for those traveling in and out of Buenos Aires.

Flight delays, cancellations, union protests and frayed nerves abound at Ezeiza International, and the Transportation Secretary today acknowledged Ezeiza is not equipped to handle the extra passenger/aircraft load shifted from Aeroparque.

And while problems abound in the friendly skies, La Nacion shines the spotlight on the dirty undercarriage of Argentina’s rail system. In a well-researched analysis, Diego Cabot paints the picture of decaying rail infrastructure, powerful unions, no-bid contracts and a long history of broken political promises. The Lincoln-Realico line in La Pampa? Silent. The Bullet Train to Rosario? Postponed indefinitely. The Retiro-Boca Tranvi­a in BA? It runs sporadically around Puerto Madero.

Cabot makes no mention of the July announcement that China would back US$10 billion of Argentine rail projects, so that government-trumpeted joint venture may be pending derailment as well. Hopefully the situation will improve, but it’s an unfortunate state of affairs for vital infrastructure that has the potential to connect so many, transport so much and boost Argentina’s economy through job creation and expedited commodity shipments. (Full Story in Spanish)

For more information about investment opportunities in Argentina, download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

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Holy Tourism!: The Buquebus Takes Flight

On March 29, 2010, In a-bric, arts & entertainment, competitiveness, foreign investment, tourism, uruguay, us companies, by InvestBA
Buquebus Airlines

Well-known ferry operator Buquebus takes to the friendly skies between BA & Punta later this week.

With Holy Week underway, many Argentines are preparing for one last family vacation on the beaches of Uruguay. On the receiving end of the tourist influx and revenue from Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay designates this week as Tourism Week.

Seizing the moment and simultaneously injecting some needed competition in the short-haul arena, Buquebus is launching direct air service from Buenos Aires to Punta del Este.

According to La Nación, the well-known ferry and bus operator plans to offer three flights daily from Aeroparque Jorge Newberry to Punta’s Laguna del Sauce International Airport aboard a fleet of new ATR 72-500s.

Buquebus has already purchased two of the planes, two more will be acquired before year-end and the company retains the option to buy a fifth and sixth aircraft in 2011. The fleet acquisitions coincide with the planned addition of new Buquebus routes from Punta del Este to Porto Alegre (Brazil), Ezeiza International Airport and Salto, Uruguay.

When asked about tickets, Buquebus CEO Juan Patricio López said they will be competitively priced with occasional promotions “to stimulate travel among Argentines who have a house in Punta del Este and want to fly more frequently.”

In other BA airline news, Texas-based American Airlines announced a third seasonal flight from Miami to Buenos Aires. “Argentina offers our customers looking for a South American vacation a rich and unique cultural experience,” said American SVP Peter Dolara. “Known for being an important financial center, Buenos Aires is also a popular destination for our business travelers.” The third Miami-Ezeiza flight will operate from July 2 to August 23. (Buquebus Online)

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