MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina invests in cruise tourism.

Taking advantage of the visit of 264 meters long cruise vessel “Mercury”, the largest passenger ship to ever visit Buenos Aires, Argentine officials announced an ambitious 100 million US dollars infrastructure plan to promote international cruise tourism.

Argentine Tourism Board Director Hernán Lombardi said Argentina will invest heavily in upgrading the ports of Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia, specifically in passenger terminals for cruise visitors.

The announcement was very timely since Royal Caribbean "Mercury's" 1.900 visitors were obliged to disembark in the Buenos Aires containers dock area and walk 300 meters for a taxi, because the Argentine capital has no facilities for vessels of such displacement, 77.000 tons.

"Buenos Aires for too long has given its back to the River Plate, but now we're determined to ensure that Buenos Aires remains as the main schedule in the South Atlantic cruise trade, together with Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia, and that's why we are going to build passenger terminals", indicated Mr. Lombardi.

Mr. Lombardi added that cruise tourism is booming: in 1999 Buenos Aires received 43.000 visitors; in 2000 72.000 and this season estimates are of well over 100.000.

"Each cruise visitor spends 100/150 US dollars per day, be it in beef barbecue, tango shows or shopping, and this adds to a significant sum. Sometimes even more when they decide to remain in Buenos Aires waiting for a transfer", emphasised Mr. Lombardi.

"Mercury" which includes Falklands in its schedule and is considered one of the most luxurious cruise vessels, has 935 cabins, ten decks, six pools, a one thousand seats theatre, a dozen of restaurants, bars, night clubs, plus a whole battery of beauty, massage, sauna parlours and gymnasium, and a crew of 990.