MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

195,393 tourists visited Ushuaia in 2004

Ushuaia in Argentine Tierra del Fuego attracted 195,303 tourists during 2004 (an 8% increase over 2003), and responding to a growing demand will have increased its hosting capacity by 65% at mid year, reports the Argentine press.

The massive influx of tourism to Argentina's most southerly city and the main gateway for Antarctic cruises also represented an additional income of 25 million US dollars in hotels, catering, transport and tours for the region.

By mid year the city expects a total of 81 hotels, cabins and lodges to be completed which together with the existing 95, will see the number of beds available jump from 3,295 to 5,430.

Hotel occupancy last December averaged 71,3% and is expected to be greater in the high season months of January and February.

With 268 cruise calls scheduled for this season, (8% over 2004), hundreds of visitors can be seen shopping and strolling in Ushuaia main avenue and malls.

Local officials estimate that the average daily expenditure of Ushuaia visitors is 120 US dollars.

"Very encouraging numbers", said the city's Tourism Officer Julio Lovece who nevertheless cautioned that the "load capacity" of some Tierra del Fuego tourist tours will have to be addressed since "they are packed in summer". "At some point we will have to choose between quantity and quality", emphasized Mr. Lovece.

Among the companies investing in Ushuaia are Sheraton, Holliday Inn and other smaller companies responsible for the construction of 13 new hotels; 23 hostels; 2 motels; 7 apart-hotels; 16 cabins plus 17 bed & breakfast.

In December 2004 a total of 20,600 visitors arrived in Ushuaia, 10,600 in cruise vessels, a 26,6% increase over December 2003.

"Most cruise visitors are North Americans", but those who arrive by air and land are Europeans, particularly Spaniards, British, French and Germans, indicated Mr. Lovece.