MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Tourism injected record 535 million USD to the Uruguayan economy in January

Benjamin Liberoff advisor to the Ministry of Tourism

Foreign tourism in Uruguay during January injected 535 million US dollars to the economy, which is higher than the first two months of a year ago (515 million US dollars), according to the latest release from the Ministry of Tourism.

It is estimated that the average tourist in Uruguay during January spend 123 US dollars per day which is three times the average of 2005 (US dollar inflation). Tourists from Paraguay spent the most daily, 190 US dollars followed by Mexican, Venezuelans, Brazilians, Chileans and Americans. However Argentines were the majority during January (309.448) representing 70% of total expenditure by tourists. Brazilians followed with 10%.

Of the total 535 million USD in January, 127 million were spent in hotels and lodging; 113 million USD in food and leisure and 50 million USD in shopping. However there is a ‘significant’ remnant of 168 million USD which is itemized as ‘other expenses’, explained Benjamin Liberoff advisor to the Ministry of Tourism.

Of the total sum, an estimated 60%, equivalent to 321 million USD was generated in Punta del Este, Uruguay’s most renowned international sea resort; another 40 million USD (9%) further east in Rocha; another 9% in Piriapolis a middle class resort, while the rest is attributed to the capital Montevideo.

The official release from the Ministry of Tourism underlines that the January revenue is higher than Uruguay’s meat overseas sales, which is the country’s main single export item.