In the first three months of the year, 158,000 more visitors entered the country than in the same period of 2021, which, in turn, contributed an additional 204 million dollars, according to the same comparison. The data is part of a statistical report presented by the Minister of Tourism, Tabaré Viera. The figures, higher than those of 2021, show a “recovery process,” he said.
In the first quarter of the year, 392,000 visitors entered the country, who spent 383 million dollars, according to data provided by the National Directorate of Migration, Viera reported this Wednesday the 11th at a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters. The undersecretary, Remo Monzeglio, was also present, among other ministerial and private sector authorities, such as the president of the Uruguayan Chamber of Tourism, Marina Cantera.
In the first three months of 2021, the income of 234,000 visitors was recorded, contributing an expense of 179 million dollars, which shows, comparatively, an increase in 2022, of 158,000 visitors and 204 million dollars of income compared to the same period from the previous year.
Viera valued these figures and considered: “We are coming out of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and its consequences, the closed borders and the low mobility that began to occur at the end of 2021.” He analyzed that in the “recovery process” of tourist activity, although without reaching levels similar to those of the pre-pandemic, the balance of the trade balance is favorable at 135,000 visitors and 270 million dollars.
The hierarch explained that they arrived from Argentina, between January and March of this year, 236,000 visitors (60.2%); from Brazil, 56,000 (14.3%), and Uruguayans residing abroad who visited the country were 47,000 (12%).
Main destinations and reasons for visiting Uruguay
Punta del Este was the preferred destination, with 153,000 visitors (39.1%); Montevideo captured 71,000 (18.2%) and the oceanic coast 37,000 people (9.4%) from abroad. According to the type of accommodation, 108,000 visitors (just over 27%) used family homes and a very similar number hotel establishments.
For reasons of leisure and vacations, 287,000 visitors (73.3%) arrived in the country and 58,000 (59.9%) did so to visit family and friends.
economic income
In terms of foreign exchange according to nationality, the aforementioned period shows that, of the total of 383,000 million dollars, Argentines contributed 236 million (61.6%), Brazilians 60 million (15.6%) and Uruguayans residing in abroad, 26 million (6.8%).
Punta del Este took first place in visitor spending, with 240 million dollars (62.6%); It was followed by Montevideo, with 59 million (15.4%), and the oceanic coasts, with 24 million dollars (6.2%).
Regarding spending by type of accommodation, hotels are in first place, with 105 million dollars (28.4%), followed by rented homes, with 98 million (28.4%), and own homes, with 91 million (24.7%).
The leisure and vacation items contributed 295,000 million dollars (76.9%), second residence, 39 million dollars (10.1%), and visiting family and friends, 33 million dollars (8.5%).
Travel and expenses abroad
Residents of Uruguay who traveled abroad in the first quarter were 157,000 and spent 113,000 million dollars. Argentina received 85,000 (54.4%) residents in Uruguay and Brazil 41,000 (25.9%).
The expenditure of residents who traveled abroad was concentrated in Argentina, with 37 million dollars (33%); Europe, with 29 million dollars (25.9%), and Brazil, with 25 million dollars (21.2%).
