case study text period 1.1 chance 1 2011- 2012 argentina

8/3/2019 Case Study Text Period 1.1 Chance 1 2011- 2012 Argentina

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Tourism & Recreation Management Case Exam 1.1 Text

Destination Report Argentina Travel Agency Study

ArgentinaRecently, the company Travelution did another study amongst 100 travel agencies from all of

the Netherlands various provinces. The study included independent travel agencies and all ofthe chains (with the exception of D-Reizen). During the study, familiarity with Argentina wasmeasured, as well as Argentinas tourist highlights.

1. Have you ever been to Argentina yourself?

Yes 4%

No 96%

2. Which brochure do you give customers when they ask about Argentina?

Have been Havent been

Travel Trend 40% 37%

De Boer & Wendel 20% 5%

Oad Reizen 20% 16%

Kuoni 20% 25%

Indigo Tours 0% 3%

SRC Cultuurreizen 0% 2%

Tika Tours 0% 1%

TUI 0% 2%

Best Tours 0% 2%

Other 0% 4%

No idea 0% 3%

Striking: Indigo doesnt include South America anymore, but is indicated, as is Tika Tours,which doesnt offer any trips to Argentina. A number of other respondents also indicated KrasReizen, Fox Vakanties and Discovery Reizen.

3. Which tour operators do you sell the most for Argentina?


Kuoni 50% 22%

Travel Trend 50% 17%

Oad Reizen 0% 10%

TUI 0% 2%

Indigo Tours 0% 2%

De Boer & Wendel 0% 2%

Tika Tours 0% 2%

Fox Vakanties 0% 2%

Argentina not sold yet 0% 33%

No idea 0% 8%

4. How often have you booked a trip to Argentina in the last six months?


Once every 6 months 100% 15%

Twice every 6 months 0% 2%

Separate tickets 0% 25%

No bookings 0% 58%

2 Have been2 Havent been6 Have been6 Havent been

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5. How do you assess Argentina on the following points:


Price/quality

a) Not good 0% 0%

b) Below average 50% 8%

c) Average 0% 21%

d) Good 50% 38%e) Perfect 0% 0%

f) No idea 0%

Striking: a significant number of respondents says that Argentina is an expensivedestination, both in terms of tickets to get there and in Argentina itself.

Accommodation/Service

a) Not good 0% 0%


c) Average 0% 29%

d) Good 50% 47%

e) Perfect 50% 2%f) No idea 0% 22%

Nature

a) Not good 0% 0%


c) Average 0% 2%

d) Good 0% 40%

e) Perfect 100% 42%

f) No idea 0% 16%

Culture

a) Not good 0% 0%


c) Average 0% 15%

d) Good 50% 41%

e) Perfect 50% 27%

f) No idea 0% 17%

Safety

a) Not good 0% 0%


c) Average 0% 29%

d) Good 100% 46%

e) Perfect 0% 6%

f) No idea 0% 15%

Places of Interest andHighlights

a) Not good 0% 0%


c) Average 0% 8%

d) Good 50% 50%

e) Perfect 50% 29%

f) No idea 0% 13%

Striking: Many respondents say that they are not familiar with Argentina, but do have an

impression of the matters indicated above.

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6. Which sales arguments do you use for Argentina?


Climate 0% 1%

Culture 0% 18%

Beaches 0% 1%

Nature 30% 24%

People 14% 0%Food, drink 0% 1%

Winter sports 0% 1%

New/unusual destination 14% 11%

Varied country 14% 10%

Touring possibilities 14% 11%

Excursions 0% 4%

Wines 14% 1%

Adventure 0% 3%

No idea 0% 14%

Striking:A number of respondents say that they recommend Argentina in combination with

Chilli or Brazil.

7. Which tourist highlights are you familiar with in Argentina?


Buenos Aires 14% 23%

Waterfalls at Iguaz 8% 16%

Peninsula Valds 0% 4%

Mendoza wine area 15% 3%

Tango 0% 3%

Winter sports 8% 0%

Mar del Plata, Miramar,Pinamar, Villa Gesellbeaches

8% 0%

Andes area (salt plains,plateaus)

0% 3%

De Pampas 8% 3%

Patagonia 23% 10%

Salta 0% 1%

Amazon 0% 3%

Ushuaia 8% 1%

Other 8% 3%

No idea 0% 27%

Note: The distances are big, which means that you have to fly more.

8. Which provinces in Argentina do you know?Have been Havent been

Pampeana (province ofBuenos Aires)

17% 13%

Patagonia (Tierra del Fuego) 32% 15%

Nuevo Cuyo (Mendoza) 17% 0%

North east (Chaco, Formosa,Misiones, Entre Rios)

17% 0%

North west (Salta, Tucumn 17% 2%

No idea 0% 70%

The Dutch Discover ArgentinaIf Carlos Meyer, Secretario du Turismo de Nacin, has anything to do with it, the number ofDutch tourists visiting Argentina will grow significantly in the years ahead. Thanks to a new

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tourism act, Argentina will now increasingly be able to develop itself as a tourist destinationand each region will get the attention that it deserves.

After studying tourism at the Morn University near Buenos Aires, Carlos Meyer specialised intourism by attending a large number of courses and congresses. He started his work in theindustry in 1983, as a member of the supervisory board at Aerolineas Argentinas. He worked

in various companies in the tourism industry, until becoming Subsecretario de Turismo for theprovince of Santa Cruz in 1991, and making the transition to the position ofSecretario deturismo de la Nacin in 2004.

He says the following about tourism: This is a sector that is developing strongly in Argentina.As a result, it will be able to help build up a country that really does have all kinds of things tooffer.

New Tourism ActAccording to Carlos Meyer, the latest tourism act establishes a basis for the effectivedevelopment of the tourism industry. The act is the result of hard work, in which considerableattention has been given to the needs of the country as a whole: the provinces, the regionsand all of the sectors, both private and public. The act also takes the interests of both

Argentineans and tourists into consideration. According to Meyer, the next step is to put thisact into practice, so that efforts can be made to achieve a balanced growth in tourism.

The Netherlands, Strategic Growth MarketLooking at incoming tourism for Argentina, Europe, with a share of more than 20 percent, isan important country, after North America, the rest of Latin America and Brazil. With almost15,000 tourists in 2005, the Netherlands is a country that is beginning to discover Argentinaincreasingly more. The expectation is that the Dutch share will rise by more than 25% in2006. According to Carlos Meyer, efforts are focusing particularly on improving the promotionof the whole of Argentina as a tourist destination in the most important countries in Europe.The Netherlands is a strategic market for us in this respect. There is room for growth and wewill make sure that we bring Argentina to the attention to as broad a public as possible.

RevenueAn important milestone is the fact that the tourism balance will exceed 3.7 million foreignvisitors for the first time this year. Together, these visitors will represent as much as 3.1 billiondollars of revenue. For the year 2007, Meyer predicts a total growth of 15 percent in tourismrevenue, to 3.5 billion dollars, from 4.2 million tourists. Growth has been exponential inrecent years, which is thanks in part to the positioning of Argentina as an interesting touristdestination in Europe, the US, Asia and South America, amongst other places. For 2007, wewill maintain this line and emphasis will be placed primarily on the promotion of internationaltourism.

La Marca ArgentinaFollowing on from the above, the new brand and corresponding logo (La Marca Argentina)will be introduced at the beginning of 2007. This is a very appropriate start date, as this is the

year when Argentina will be celebrating 200 years of independence. La Marca Argentina isthe result of a unique collaboration between the various regions, which want to use this brandto bring their product to the attention of an international public. The brand will serve as anumbrella for all of the sub-brands, which represent the great variety that this country has tooffer. It enables the various regions to bring together the various themes that they want topromote and, as such, to present them together.

Summary

New tourism act establishes a basis for the balanced development of Argentina as atourist destination;

Promotion focuses on the country as a whole;

The Netherlands is a strategic market with growth potential;

La Marca Argentina: new brand with new logo for worldwide promotion of the country.

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European Flavour

In the past, Argentina was settled by Spaniards and Italians. They were followed by theBritish, Scottish, Poles and Dutch. No wonder that Argentina is also regarded as a littlebit of Europe in South America. Most of the countrys population are descended fromEuropeans who came looking for adventure in this vast country.

The HistoryIt was the countrys natural resources that enticed people to Argentina right from the verybeginning. This started approximately 30,000 years ago when hunters following the routetaken by mammoths came to the country. Much later, in around 1410, the Incas arrived, whobuilt roads and made Argentina part of their kingdom, which was called Kollasyuo. In 1516,the Spaniards arrived, who ruled until the countrys independence in 1816. Afterindependence, Argentina experienced turbulent times until the end of the nineteenth century,when the country underwent a real transformation. The object was to make Argentina moreEuropean and resulted in a real wave of immigration. Farmers, the landless, artisans andfortune hunters brought the country modernisation and rapid industrialisation. Today, theseEuropeans still form the face of a country populated chiefly by immigrants. For example,Mximas family originates from the Basque Country.

LocationHigh and imposing, the Andes form the natural border with Chilli in the west. At 6,959 metres,Aconcagua is the highest top. To the east, the landscape shows rich variety. In the north,visitors will find the tropical rainforest, with special natural phenomenon like the Iguaz Fallsand big rivers like the Bermejo, Salado and Pilcomayo. The Pampa, the Buenos Aireshinterland, is the domain of the gaucho and because of its moderate climate is also knownas Argentinas granary. However, the biggest part of the country is taken up by Patagonia, anendless pampas landscape that was formed after the last ice age, by broad glacier rivers thatran from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean. The soil here is rocky and the landscape is barrenand dry and used chiefly for sheep farming. The more southern Atlantic coast is specialbecause many animals from the South Pole area use it as an overwintering place. Even moreto the south there are big glacier lakes and several glaciers, of which the Perito Moreno is the

most famous, with an ice mass that is more than 50 metres high.

The PopulationWith 36 million inhabitants in a surface area of 3.8 million square kilometres, Argentina is themost sparsely populated country in the continent. In Argentina, 36% of people live in andaround Buenos Aires. Italian and Spanish influences predominate in Buenos Aires, whilePatagonia and the lake area was settled by large numbers of Scots, French, Swiss andGermans. In the north-west, at least half of the population is indigenous, but groups likeMapuches and Colla are very much in the minority with a population of approximately half amillion.

CulinaryBig steaks, legs of lamb, chops, game and poultry: the basis for the Argentinean kitchen is

formed by a good piece of meat. Rice, puree or a leaf of lettuce serve merely to embellishArgentinean dishes.Asado, a grilled piece of beef or veal is the countrys speciality. Thanksto the large number of Italians, Argentina has many pizzerias. Besides meat, Argentineanwines in particular are becoming increasingly more popular. The more well-known qualitywines are often made from grape types like the cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir andsyrah. Finally, any true Argentinean will swear by a daily dose of mate. In Argentina, it is acustom to drink tea-water sweetened with sugar from a small, finely decorated vessel with asilver straw. This national drink is rich in vitamins and is just as much a part of Argentina asthe tango is.

How to Get ThereTo ArgentinaFrom Europe, airlines offering flights to Buenos Aires include Aerolinas Argentinas,

Lufthansa, Air France and British Airways. Unfortunately, KLM does not have a directconnection and the stop-over in Brazil is currently still too long. From the airport in Buenos

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Aires, there are regular bus connections to the city; the trip takes approximately threequarters of an hour (approximately 25 dollars). Travellers can also travel to the city by taxi, forapproximately 40 dollars. If you decide to use a taxi, make sure that you buy a fixed-priceticket from one of the offices in the arrivals hall.

In Argentina

By PlaneThe plane lends itself best for visitors wanting to travel long distances. Domestic flights areprovided by Aerolina Argentinas/Austral, Lade and LAN Argentina. Buying a Buying AirpassVisit Argentina for approximately 350 dollars will work out cheaper for visitors planning to usevarious domestic flights.

By BusLong-distance bus travel is cheap by European standards and these buses have toilets, airconditioning and a bar. It is even possible to visit the Rio Grande and Rio Gallegos by busfrom Buenos Aires, despite the fact that these destinations are situated almost three thousandkilometres away from the capital city. The trip takes more than 40 hours. In Buenos Aires, thebus (colectivo) is a cheap way to travel in the city.

By TrainTrains are chiefly used by commuters and, as such, places like La Plata and Bahia Blancaare the only ones possible to reach easily by train. However, special trains do run in theholiday season, like the tren a las Nubes in Salta and the La Trochita in Chubut.

By CarThere are car hire companies in virtually every city and town. The roads are good, but poorlylit or with no lighting at all. A good route is the RN40; this is the main road on the western sideof the Patagonian plain, which is the best option when setting out to explore the pampas. Thisroad runs along the Andes, national parks and also takes travellers through the remote partsof the country.

Summary

Argentina has a European flavour due to its many immigrants; Argentina has huge variation in terms of landscape;

Mate and asado are the countrys favourite drink and dish;

Transport in Argentina is possible by bus, train, plane and car.

Buenos Aires

In Buenos Aires, the rhythm is determined by the tango. This modest city has a certainclass and has experienced many periods of glory and decline. Take the Plaza de Mayoas an example, where the madres do their round every week to demonstrate againstthe former military dictatorship. This is a square that became famous when the peoplecrowded together here to listen to speeches by Juan and Evita Pern. This

Argentinean city definitely has a South European feel to it and is subject to the moodsof the seasons. You will always hear the tango somewhere and in each district you willencounter history interwoven with the various lives of this metropolis and itsinhabitants.

LocationBuenos Aires is situated in the north-east of Argentina, a little inland of the south bank of theRio de la Plata. The city is shaped like a chess board, with a number of broad avenuesforming the different axes of the city. An important landmark is the obelisk on the AvenidaCorrientes, in the centre of the city. The north of the city is where the enclaves of thenouveaux riche can be found. The industrial district is in the west and south, with working-class areas like San Telmo and La Boca. The old city and the Plaza de Mayo and the CasaRosada are in the east.

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Cultural Landscape in 2003. It consists of a high plateau at Jujuy, a brightly colouredlandscape with a small group of villages with adobe-clay coloured houses, historic littlechapels and pre-Spanish ruins.

The Litoral Region

Tourist Highlights

2. Parque Nacional Iguaz (world heritage): This park is known particularly for the

Iguaz waterfalls that lie on the border with Brazil. The river falls up to 70 metres downwardshere, via 275 waterfalls, over a length of almost three kilometres. There are various routesalong the waterfalls, and a visit from the Argentinean side usually consists of a ride by train ora walk over a strong iron catwalk. Please make sure that you take a raincoat with you if youdecide to visit the waterfalls.

Missiones Jesuiticas Guaranies (world heritage): The Missiones province, wedged inbetween Paraguay and Brazil, is well-known because for its Jesuit missions. The most well-known is San Ignacio Mini, 56 kilometres away from the capital city, Posadas.

The El Centro Region

The centre of Argentina can roughly be divided into the ocean coast, the pampa andthe mountains. This is gaucho country, but also boasts worldly enjoyment and theCamino Real. Explore the pampa by horse, go fishing and end the day with a barbeque.

Tourist HighlightsCoastal resorts: From mid December to the end of February, many porteos, as theinhabitants of Buenos Aires are called, leave the heat of the city and go to the coast. Mar delPlata is the Scheveningen of the Atlantic coast and the Bahia Blanca coastal resort in thesouth is the gateway to Patagonia.

3. Gaucho culture: In gauchos country, cattle farming is an important

form of existence. The pampa starts right behind the costal strip and a typical macho-manculture is still evident everywhere here, at markets and celebrations and on trips. The Fiestade Tradicin, which takes place in San Antonio de Areco in the first week of November, is thecountrys biggest gaucho festival. In Lujn, a place of pilgrimage, it is Mary day on 8 May.

Crdoba: Crdoba, the city in the region and perhaps also one of the most atmospheric. It iswonderful to stroll around this city and pop into one of the museums, in the Iglesia Catedralorthe Manzanas y Estancias Jesuiticas de Crdoba (world heritage). These 16th-century Jesuitranches are in good condition and are a unique example of productive organisation by theJesuits in Argentina.

Summary

Pampa synonym for gaucho culture, cattle farming and barbeques; Ocean coast popular with Argentineans, suitable for beach holiday;

Biggest city Crdoba has a lot of Jesuit culture.

The Patagonia Region

Huge ice masses, penguins, big lakes and pampas characterise the view in thesouthern part of Argentina. Patagonia is explorer country and was once the hidingplace of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. From west to east, Patagonia can bebroken down into three parts: the mountains, the pampas and the coast. The lakeshere are very popular with anglers.

Tourist Highlights

Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (world heritage): park where 13 glaciers plunge into theViedma and Argentino lakes. These include the well-known Perito Moreno, the southernmost

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glacier, an ice mass that moves two metres a day and creates a huge amount of noise. In thisarea, it is possible to sail on the lakes to see the spectacle from closer by. Visitors will leavefor this trip from El Calafate.

5. Cueva de las manos del Alto Ro Pintura (world heritage): historic site where visitorswill see hand prints and many paintings of animals. These were left many, many years ago by

the hunters and gatherers that lived here until the Europeans arrived in the seventeenthcentury.

Tevelin, a small pioneer town: In Tevelin, a small pioneer town, taste the famousspecialities of Nain Maggie, such aspan negro, torta negra and tarta de frutas and admire thelandscape from the Tranchito, the old Patagonia express: this restored train, which rides fromEl Maitn and back once a week. A three-hour trip there and three hours back, over 120kilometres, alongside mountains, gorges, valleys, rivers and plains.

6. Peninsula Valds (world heritage): Peninsula in the north of the south coast, wherewhales and sea lions come to mate from August to November. As much as 60 percent of theelephant seal population comes ashore here too. The island has several huge estancias andcattle farming is an important source of income. Visitors are recommended to use the visitor

centre on the Ameghino Isthmus, where they will be able to find all of the information theyneed.

7. Punta Tombo: Slightly more southwards of the peninsula is Punta Tombo, wherethousands of penguins nest every year. Because these very monogamous animals returnevery year, they are used to spectators.

8. Tierra del Fuego: this is the southernmost point of Argentina and the home of the Yahan.This area is where you will find the Museo Fin del Mundo, a prison and a maritime museum.Visitors can take a boat trip on the Beagle canal and visit the Parque Nacional Tierra delFuego, where birds of prey like the condor live.

The Cuyo Region

The Cuyo region is situated far behind the pampa in the west, close to the highmountains. This area is also known for its wine, mountaineering and history and isalso regarded as a region where life is good.

Tourist Highlights9. Parque Natural Ichigualasto y talampaya (world heritage): One of the most importantpaleontological sites in the world, where visitors can see fossils dating back 180 million years,such as the footprints of dinosaurs. Visitors will be impressed by the steep cliffs, whicherosion has caused to take on very different shapes. Condors nest here.

Mendoza: Mendoza is a green and peaceful city at the foot of the Andes, from which variousroutes start along vineyards and bodegas in neighbouring valleys.

10. Aconcague: The huge Aconcagua mountain appeals particularly to experiencedclimbers. Trips to explore the mountains, to go rafting or to sail the wild water in a canoe, areall supervised by experts. Incidentally, mountain winter sports are possible too. For moredetails, seewww.mendozaski.com, amongst other sites.

Summary

Patagonia: country of extremes, with glaciers, pampas and lakes;

The coast is an overwintering place for animals from Antarctica;

Cuyo is where the good life is, with wine routes, history and mountain sport.

Action, Adventure and Activities

Learning to dance the tango, making for the mountains or going on safari. Argentina isa country where you can shift your boundaries. It is a country where football is the

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number one popular sport, but where there are also an unprecedented number ofpossibilities to discover tranquillity or nature.

National World HeritageArgentina has as many as eight different areas that fall under National World Heritage. Thesespecial sites are spread across the country. See the tourist highlights for a detailed

description per region. Of course, they are also indicated on the map.

Eco TourismAs much as 3,600,000 hectares of the country is divided over 33 protected national parks.These are nature reserves where visitors can see much of the countrys indigenous flora andfauna. There is plenty of time to discover and learn here. All of the parks have an informationoffice, guides and a good infrastructure. This makes these parks an ideal way to find out moreabout the nature there. Popular forms of eco tourism are bird watching, photo safaris andtrekking (www.parquesnacionales.gov.ar). Diving and snorkelling are possible in the south, atPeninsula Valds, in the lakes in the south and on the coast of Tierra del Fuego.

Rural TourismTearing up into the pampa as a gaucho or harvesting the grain. Argentinas vast interior lends

itself ideally for the discovery of the real life on the land. There are many traditional landhouses orestancias that offer tourists the opportunity to do various activities. Much of thisaccommodation is situated in the province of Buenos Aires and in Patagonia. Each region hasits own specialities and, depending on the regional culture and size of the ranch, it is possibleto help out in the day-to-day work on the land, such as milking, hay making and looking aftersheep.

The TangoTango symbolises passion and melancholy and is far more than just a style of music. Thetango emerged in the big towns and cities at the end of the 19 th century and is a combinationof the flamenco from Andalusia and the folk melodies from Italy. Buenos Aires is the homeand capital city of tango. The Buenos Aires Tango Comprehensive free monthly magazinecontains an up-to-date overview of tango courses, music performances, milongas and dance

schools.

The best tango months are January and February, which is summertime in Buenos Aires.There is also an international tango festival at the end of February.

Wine RoutesWine routes through the country give you the opportunity to learn about the backgrounds andsecrets of Argentinean wine, which is continuing to gain in popularity. Salta is an example of awell-known wine centre and Patagonian wines are also famous for their full character.

Some businesses will welcome you in big old houses or wine farms, where you will familiariseyourself with their wines, often in combination with the regional gastronomy. Seewww.salensteintourism.com and www.ischigualsto.com.arfor more information about wines in

the Cuyo region and for visits to vineyards and bodegas.

FishingThere are more than 250 different types of fish in Argentinas waters. Fly fishing in particularenjoys unprecedented popularity in Argentina. Several areas that are suitable for this sportare the Bermejo and Paran rivers, where doradas are amongst the fish most frequentlycaught. The pampas lakes are popular for fishing too and people often fish for salmon in thesouth-western lake area in Patagonia.

The extreme south of Argentina is also well-known for its trout. The coastal waters offerfisherman catches like the black shark and sole.

For more information about the seasons and types of fish, see www.turismo.gov.ar.

Golf

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In Argentina, you can play golf in the jungle, the heart of the city or on the coast. Many golfcourses have been designed by well-known architects, including Alistair MacKenzie. Costs fora flight vary from 15 to 50 dollars. Some courses have electric buggies, but it is morecustomary to hire a caddie for 10 to 15 dollars.

Polo

Argentina has several of the worlds best polo players. The official season for polo runs fromSeptember to December and from March to May, but the sport is actually played throughoutthe year. Are you a enthusiast? If so, why not visit the finals in Palermo in November-December?

SkiingHigh mountains, professional instructors and a good infrastructure make skiing in Argentina aspecial adventure. Most of the countrys ski resorts can be found in the south-west of thecountry. Several names are Las Leas, Cerro Bayo and La Hoya, places that offer a uniqueexperience with a beautiful view of the peaks of the Andes. The ski centres have beendeveloped specifically for demanding winter sports consumers and are situated in alandscape that is an attraction in its own right. There are slopes for beginners andexperienced skiers, who can profit from modern materials and the expertise of professional

instructors.

Summary

Argentina has eight sites that fall under Unesco World Heritage;

Buenos Aires is the home of the tango;

Many national parks are very suitable for eco tourism;

Besides football, polo, fishing, golf and skiing are popular.

A to Z

AccommodationThe hotel facilities are good and availability is good everywhere. Other accommodation, such

as cabaas, hostels, guesthouses, camping sites and farms can be found in the more ruralareas. The so-called estancias and cascos are special: old, traditional colonial-style landhouses and impressive English or French-style town houses.

BanksBanks are open from Monday to Friday, from 10.00 to 15.00 hours.

ElectricityThe voltage is 220/240 and plugs with two or three flat pins and plugs with two thin round pinsare usually used. Dutch plugs cannot be used in Argentina.

InternetInternet cafes can be found on almost every street corner. Prices vary from half a dollar to

one dollar per hour.

ClimateThere is a big difference in climate from one region to another, varying from sub-tropical in thenorth to sub-antarctic in the south and mild and humid on the pampa. The averagetemperature is 23 degrees in the summer (November-March) and 12 degrees in the winter(June-September).

CurrencyThe peso is the tender used in Argentina, but American dollars and euros are usuallyaccepted too. In cities, cash dispensers are the easiest way to get money, but remember tobear in mind busy periods and empty cash dispensers at weekends and on public holidays.

Making Telephone CallsYou can make telephone calls using card or coin-operated telephones. The country code forArgentina is 54 and for calls abroad, the area code and telephone number must be preceded

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by 00. A reduced rate applies from 22.00 to 08.00 hours. Mobile phones will only work in bigtowns and cities, because complete coverage is impossible in this big country.

PassportA valid passport is sufficient.

Public HolidaysBesides the Catholic public holidays, Argentina has two other important national publicholidays, i.e. 25 May, when the first national government is celebrated, and 9 July, nationalindependence day.

Travel timeThe spring (October-mid December and the autumn, April-mid June) are the best periods totravel in for the entire country. Argentineans go on holiday from December to February, and itis busy in the popular areas.

ReligionThe majority of Argentineans (90 percent) are Catholics. However, the influence of the churchis much smaller than in most other South American countries.

ShoppingBuenos Aires is a Mecca for shoppers. Important shopping centres are Patio Bullrich inRecoleta, Alto Palermo, Abasto and Buenos Aires Design in Recoleta. Tourist guides and theseparate map/folding brochure The Best Malls of Buenos Aires indicate where the shoppingareas and places of interest can be found.

Tap WaterVisitors should not drink the tap water in Argentina. Visitors are recommended to buy bottledwater. This is available everywhere.

Time DifferenceIn Argentina, it is four hours (winter time) or five hours (summer time) earlier than in the

Netherlands.

VaccinationsRecommended vaccinations are DTP, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and rabies for visits to the jungleor remote areas. Contact the municipal medical and health service (GGD) for the latestadvice.

Background Information about Argentina

The tourism and leisure industry in Argentina is experiencing strong development. The strongdevaluation of the Argentinean peso in 2002 has made Argentina a cheap country for both

Argentineans and foreigners alike. This has resulted in an important shift in tourist flows. Onthe one hand, the higher middle classes, who usually sought their enjoyment abroad, arediscovering the budgetary advantages of holidaying in their own country. On the other hand,more and more foreign tourists are arriving in the country. Bargain hunters from surroundingcountries, top-class tourists from the developed world, looking for unspoilt nature, and masstourism from both areas are making their presence felt. In 2005, a total of 3.7 million peoplevisited Argentina, an increase of 12.7 percent in comparison with the year before. A total of4.1 million visitors are forecast for 2006. Approximately 30,000 Dutch tourists visitedArgentina in 2005.

The new marketing strategies in the tourism market are focusing on product segmentation.Argentina is represented in almost all of the categories: sun and sand, eco tourism, rural

tourism with farm accommodation (estancias), fishing, hunting, whale watching, bird watching,scuba-diving, polo, golf, skiing (the Argentinean winter season coincides with Northernsummers), health tourism, tango dancing, culture, congresses and exhibitions, cruises, theme

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parks, shopping, etc.

The Secretariat for Tourism is implementing the 'Plan de Promocin de Inversiones enTurismo'. This includes a database with information on projects for which product developersand investors need to be matched. Act 21382/93 gives foreign investors in Argentina the

same rights as national organisations. No limitations have been imposed on investments inthe tourism sector. The activities undertaken by the tourism and leisure industry are regulatedat a provincial level. Because of this, most provinces also have their own promotionprogrammes. In specific cases, tax advantages are offered on provincial taxes.

http://www.evd.nl/info/zoeken/ShowBouwsteen.asp?bstnum=113822&location=&highlight=(Visited on 21 May 2007)

Information about Argentina (http://www.embassyargentina.nl/nl_bas.htm)

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MAP OF ARGENTINA

Argentina from a Geographical Point of ViewArgentina is a country with considerable variety in terms of climate and landscape. Fromnorth to south, Argentina spans 3,800 km, while its surface area is 3,761,274 square

kilometres.

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The Pampas, one of the worlds three biggest fertile plains, covers approximately one-third ofthe surface area of Argentina and has a moderate and humid climate.

To the south is Patagonia, an endless and arid plain, the western part of which is borderedby the southern part of the Andes. This mountain range changes with the degree of latitude.

In the south, the Andes is covered with forests, lakes and glaciers, and has a cold and humidclimate. The Cuyo region can be found in the middle, where the Andes includes SouthAmericas highest summits. In the local Indian language, Cuyo is known as the 'desertcountry', which today has become a fertile and productive region. In the north-west, themountains of the Andes, the desert plain of the Puna, the valleys, ravines, colourful hills andpicturesque villages come together in an area with strong and contrasting natural and culturalcharacteristics.

In the centre of the country, the Pampa hills, a wild area with hills, steep cliff faces andwaterfalls alternate with valleys and plains with a moderate climate. El Chaco, in the north ofthe country, is an extensive wooded plain with marshes and lakes. Towards the north-east,embraced by the big rivers, the Paran and the Uruguay, is the area known as

Mesopotamia. In the north of Mesopotamia, with a sub-tropical climate, are jungle areas,while the south has a more moderate climate and plains that are suitable for agriculture.

Argentinas GovernmentArgentina is a representative and federal republic, as laid down in its constitution. The countryis divided up into 23 provinces and the federal capital city (Buenos Aires). The nationalpresident and vice president, but also the head of the government of Buenos Aires, theprovincial governors and the members of the legislative bodies, are chosen by general, secretand compulsory elections, in which all citizens (men and women) above the age of 18 cantake part. It is possible to re-elect the president for a second period of four years.

The Population of Argentina

According to the national consensus of 2001, Argentina has a population of 36 millioninhabitants. Almost half of the population lives in the city and province of Buenos Aires. MostArgentineans are which and primarily of Italian or Spanish descent.

Argentinas EconomyThe agricultural sector is the most important sector for Argentinas economy. Grain and oil-yielding seeds, sugar cane, cotton, fruit, yerba mate and grapes are grown. Stock breeding isanother important economic factor, with large herds of cattle, sheep, horses and pigs beingbred and raised here.

The most important industries are connected to agriculture. Mining is also an importantindustry in Argentina. There are deposits of metallic ores (iron, uranium, lead, wolframite,tin, zinc, gold, copper, silver and manganese), non-metallic minerals (clay types, salt,

gypsum) and stones for various purposes (sand, limestone, pebble stones and granite).Fuels, oil, natural gas and coals are produced as well.

Fishing is significant too: in rivers, lakes and the sea. Sea fishing is based along the longAtlantic east coast of Argentina. Tourism has increased in recent years and has become oneof the most important sources of economic growth. It creates employment and investment.The increase in revenue from tourism has made this sector the most important export activityfor Argentina.After the opening up of the Argentinean economy and with its renewed place in theinternational market, various collaboration agreements between the governments ofArgentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay have led to the crease of MERCOSUR: theCommon Market of the South.

TheArgentinean CurrencyThe official currency used in Argentina is the Peso. There are 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 peso notesand 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cent cons and a 1 Peso coin.

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LanguageThe national language is Spanish. English, French and Italian are usedfrequently too.

Religion

The most popular religion is Roman Catholic, although there is freedomof religion for Protestants, Jews, Muslims and the Greek orthodox andRussian orthodox churches.

Geographic Data

Surface area TotalSouth American territoryAntarctic territory

3,761,274 km2

2,791,810 km2

969,464 km2

Length Atlantic coastBorder (total)Border with neighbouring countries

4,725 km25,728 km9,376 km

Size North-southEast-west

3,799 km1,423 km

Socio-economic Data

Population 36.0 million (Nov 2001)Population density 12.9 inhabitants per km2

Annual population growth 1.5%Urban population 88.1%Illiteracy 3.7%Life expectancy 72.1 yearsNumber of doctors 3.03 per 1,000 inhabitants

CultureCulture is present in all its various forms: film, theatre, visual art, music and literature, withbig public figures, many of which enjoy international recognition. The Columbus theatre

(Teatro Coln) is one of the worlds three best opera buildings, and has beautiful architectureand perfect acoustics. The huge stage can accommodate big sets for big companies. Theworlds finest in the field of music and ballet have performed here and are still doing so.

Buenos Aires has approximately 90 theatres and 100 cinemas, and a very varied programme.The most important cultural centres are those of General San Martn, Recoleta and Borges.

Painting and sculpting play a key role in cultural life. The countrys most important citieshave prestigious galleries. The country has popular music and folklore music. The tango, the

music typical of the Ro de la Plata area, is special. Carlos Gardel, the countrys tango idol,has become a legend for millions of fans. The texts and the unparalleled rhythm make thetango a phenomenon that is specific to Buenos Aires, but its fame extends beyond the bordertoo.

Argentineans have won a total of five Nobel prizes in various areas: B.Houssay(1947) andC. Milstein (1984) for Physiology and Medicine, L.F. Leloir(1970) for Chemistry and C. deSaavedra Lamas (1936) and A. Prez Esquivel(1980) for Peace.The Argentinean gaucho, as described in 'Martn Fierro' by the poet Jos Hernndez from theprovince of Buenos Aires, is special too. The Argentineans have inherited a strong personalityfrom the gauchos, a great urge for freedom and a continual search for justice.Understandably, although originally from the Pampas, gauchos are present everywhere in thecountry.

SportArgentineans are obsessed by football. Buenos Aires has 17 football stadiums, many

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accommodating more than 40,000 spectators.

A real local sport is Pato. This Argentinean version of polo has gained an internationalreputation, thanks to the skill of its players, who are considered the best in the world. In recentyears, other sports have attracted thousands of young people. There are more than 1,500tennis courts in Buenos Aires and the surrounding area. Argentinas hockey and roller hockey

teams have had major international victories. The national rugby team, the Pumas, hasproved itself in various world championships. Skiing is in the ascension due to theconstruction of new winter sports centres with very good pistes and modern facilities.Volleyball and basketball are also played at international level.

Water sports are played too: sailing, motorboat races, rafting and canoeing. Argentina isalso famous for its hunting of big game. Fishing for dorado and salmon attracts a lot ofinterest. Argentinas list of sports should also include car racing, boxing, golf, trekking,mountain climbing, mountain biking and hang gliding, as well as the beach sports playedalong the Atlantic coast.

FarmsThe entire Argentinean territory is dotted with agricultural buildings known as estancias, many

of which are more than 200 years old. Some of them, so-called cascos, are beautiful manorhouses, built in English or French style, luxuriously furnished and very comfortable. Othersrepresent the old and southern colonial style.

A number of owners have opened up their grounds and houses to the public, by convertingthem into small and exclusive top hotels. These estancias offer their guests a range ofactivities that can turn their stay into an adventurous experience: horse riding, fishing, birdwatching, polo, golf, etc., but also typical farming activities, like cattle herding, milking,branding cows and sheep and sheep shearing. Besides this, guests can also watch howgauchos break horses in, demonstrate their horse riding skills or enjoy their guitar playing orfolk dancing.

Adventure Tourism

The high mountain topes and the snow-covered mounts and hills are ideal for mountainclimbing and trekking. Lower slopes are used for hang gliding and paragliding.

Natural and man-made lakes can be used for canoeing and windsurfing, while rivers like theMendoza, Diamante, Atuel, San Juan, Limay, Manso, Hua Hum and Melinquina are ideal forrafting and kayaking. The Barreal plains, El Leoncito, are used for sail carting, which iswindsurfing on land on three-wheelers with sails. Horse riding and mountain biking areorganised in different parts of the country and offer people access to more remote areas ofnatural beauty.

Skiing in the AndesInternational winter sports centres are the Catedral (S.C. de Bariloche, Ro Negro) andChapelco (San Martn de los Andes, Neuqun). In the province of Neuqun, modern winter

sports centres are formed by the Bayo and Cavahue mountains. Large ski pistes are alsoavailable close to the small town of Esquel (in Chubut), near La Hoya. Cross-country skiing ispopular in the numerous winter sports centres on Tierra del Fuego.

The province of Mendoza offers ski areas with the latest facilities, such as Vallecitos, LosPenitentes and the famous Las Leas valley. The season starts in June and ends inSeptember with the arrival of a huge number of professional and amateur skiers from all overthe world.

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case study text period 1.1 chance 1 2011- 2012 argentina

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