Punta del Este, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Uruguay, has begun the summer season with a large influx of tourists, according to the national and departmental tourism authorities themselves. However, there have also been contradictions about whether the season has been successful or not.
Tour operators in the area are optimistic about the increase in visitors, especially from Argentina, Brazil, and the northern hemisphere, as well as an increase in the arrival of Paraguayan tourists. The mayor of Maldonado, Enrique Antía, pointed out that “there are enough people” in the area, but clarified that the season “has just begun” and it is necessary to wait and see how it ends.
The commune leader also spoke about the importance of vacations for Argentines, and said that “they need to have a bit of calm in their head from all the troubles they have and the discussions in Argentina; a week’s vacation is always good for them”. Despite the fact that Argentina is loyal to Uruguay, the mayor recognized that “people are missing” from the neighboring country.
Regarding prices, the mayor said that businessmen in the area “have behaved very well” and that the gastronomic, hotel and real estate unions in the area “are very active” and “aware of how bad things happened in a moment” due to the pandemic. However, he also mentioned that due to the pandemic, many Uruguayans have discovered other places in the Maldonado department and have bought properties in the area. Although there is still no specific figure, the mayor reported that these data will be available in the census to be carried out in 2023..
As for the controversy that crossed the government and the opposition after the president of the Broad Front (FA), Fernando Pereira, questioned the undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Remo Monzgelio, the mayor was cautious and added: “I must always have caution, because when you are in charge of a ministry, a mayor’s office, or in the presence of a corporation, you have to know that there are many people who are expecting what you say and you cannot use adjectives that encourage people to have Doubts”. In addition, he added: “If one compares the start of the season, from December 20 to January 10, we are talking about 20 days, with the start of the season we have to go back many years to find something better. That is what all the tour operators in the department say, the workers, the taxi drivers, the car attendants and those who sell on the beach”.
