Secretariat of Tourism of Argentina

Secretariat of Tourism of Argentina
Agency name	Secretariat of Tourism of Argentina
Nativename	Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación
Formed	1934
Preceding1	National Tourism Directorate
Jurisdiction	Buenos Aires Province; Argentina
Headquarters	Palacio de Hacienda, Buenos Aires
Chief1 name	See Leadership
Parent agency	Ministry of Culture of Argentina

Secretariat of Tourism of Argentina is the national agency charged with developing tourism in Argentina and coordinating policies across Buenos Aires, Mendoza Province, Patagonia, Iguazú National Park, Bariloche, Salta Province, and other destinations. It interfaces with provincial bodies such as the Buenos Aires Province Ministry of Tourism, federal institutions including the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, and international organizations like the World Tourism Organization and UNWTO. The Secretariat liaises with private sector actors from Aerolineas Argentinas to the Argentine Chamber of Tourism, and participates in events such as the FITUR, ITB Berlin, and World Travel & Tourism Council conferences.

History

The agency traces origins to early 20th-century initiatives linking Railways of Argentina expansion with hospitality promotion in provinces like Neuquén Province and La Pampa Province, later formalized as the National Tourism Directorate in the 1930s during the presidency of Agustín Pedro Justo. Post-World War II administrations including Juan Perón elevated tourism through infrastructure projects tied to Yacyretá Dam and coastal development in Mar del Plata. Democratic transitions involving Raúl Alfonsín and Néstor Kirchner led to reorganization, creating the modern Secretariat which collaborated with agencies such as the Ministry of Economy (Argentina) and Ministry of Interior (Argentina). In the 21st century, presidencies of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Mauricio Macri shifted emphasis between cultural tourism partnerships with the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts and market-driven promotion with stakeholders like Mercado Libre-linked platforms. Crisis responses during the 2001 Argentine economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic involved coordination with the National Health Surveillance Administration and the Argentine Red Cross.

Organization and Functions

The Secretariat operates regional directorates encompassing Northwest Argentina, Northeast Argentina, Cuyo, and Patagonia, and maintains liaison offices in diplomatic missions such as consulates in Madrid, Sao Paulo, New York City, and Shanghai. Units engage with heritage bodies like the National Institute of Historical Heritage (Argentina) and conservation agencies for sites including Iguazú National Park and Los Glaciares National Park. Functions include policy formulation with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Argentina), statistical monitoring with the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, regulatory oversight of licensing linked to provincial registries, and coordination with transport firms such as Trenes Argentinos and YPF for infrastructure planning.

Leadership

Leadership has shifted among political appointees and career administrators, often interacting with ministers such as the Minister of Economy (Argentina), the Minister of Culture (Argentina), and provincial governors from Tierra del Fuego Province and Cordoba Province. Directors have negotiated with international figures at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and engaged ambassadors from Spain, Brazil, United States, and China. The Secretariat works with associations including the Argentine Hotel and Tourism Association and labor organizations like the General Confederation of Labour (Argentina) on workforce development.

Policies and Programs

The Secretariat implements programs in sustainable tourism influenced by Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage signatories and conservation models showcased by IUCN and UNESCO biosphere reserves. Initiatives include rural tourism support in Jujuy Province, wine route promotion in Mendoza Province linked to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, adventure tourism standards in Bariloche with sports bodies, and cultural tourism campaigns highlighting Teatro Colón, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, and Carnaval de Gualeguaychú. It also administers crisis relief measures coordinated with the Ministry of Health (Argentina) and financial instruments influenced by the Inter-American Development Bank.

Tourism Promotion and Marketing

Promotion leverages partnerships with international fairs such as FIT, Fitur, and Expo Milano, airlines like LATAM Airlines and Iberia, and digital platforms operated by companies like Tripadvisor and Booking.com. Campaigns target markets in United States, Germany, United Kingdom, China, Brazil, and Chile, using ambassadors from cultural sectors such as Gustavo Santaolalla and sports figures like Lionel Messi in cooperative marketing. The Secretariat collaborates with film commissions tied to productions like those shot in Ushuaia and works with festivals including Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema to boost cultural itineraries.

Funding and Budget

Funding sources include allocations from the Treasury of the Nation (Argentina), specific budget lines approved by the National Congress of Argentina, and co-financing from multilateral lenders such as the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank. Revenue streams also come from public‑private partnerships with hotel chains like NH Hotel Group and regional investment promoted with development agencies such as the Development Bank of Latin America. Fiscal oversight involves the Office of the Comptroller General (Argentina) and audit committees reporting to parliamentary committees in the National Congress of Argentina.

International Relations and Cooperation

International engagement spans membership in the World Tourism Organization, bilateral agreements with countries including Spain, Brazil, Chile, China, and Italy, and participation in regional bodies like Mercosur and the Common Market of the South. The Secretariat negotiates UNESCO inscription processes for sites, collaborates on sustainability with UNEP, and engages in cultural exchange programs with institutions such as the Museo del Prado and Smithsonian Institution. It partners with international NGOs including World Wide Fund for Nature on conservation-linked tourism and works with the International Civil Aviation Organization on connectivity issues.

Category:Government agencies of Argentina Category:Tourism agencies