From Atacama to Iguazu: Selling Travel to Argentina
by Bill Eagle

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Many travel agents who sell Argentina regularly recommend two trip planning strategies:

One-week itineraries focusing on (a) the stunning capital city of Buenos Aires and the surrounding Pampas region known for its "gauchos" (cowboys) or (b) Iguazu Falls (featuring more than 275 different waterfalls and an enormous subtropical jungle) and the country's northwestern region dominated by the Andes (including Aconcagua, the highest peak on the continent)

Two-week itineraries planned for Patagonia, stunning mountain towns like El Calafate, Argentina's Lake District (with snow-capped mountains and glacier-fed lakes), and Ushuaia (the southernmost city in the world)

As you explore tourism options in Argentina, you'll discover many opportunities for niche travel sales (e.g., a "Wine Roads" tour through Mendoza's seven dozen wineries, or the fall mating season for more than one million penguins at Punta Tombo National Reserve).

When should you plan your clients' trips to Argentina? Think the opposite of U.S. weather patterns, because Argentina lies in the Southern Hemisphere. The best options are fall (March through May) and spring (September through November). The summer period (December through February) is a terrible time for Argentina's beaches, and major cities like Buenos Aires will be deserted; on the other hand, summer is the perfect choice for Patagonia and the southern Andes region. Winter (June through August) should be your recommendation for Iguazu and the country's northwestern areas.

Whether you purchase air/land packages or design FIT trips for your clients from scratch, you'll likely use air connections into Argentina's main airport: Ezeiza (EZE), about 26 miles outside Buenos Aires. The departure tax is currently about US$19, but it may change with little warning, so check ahead. Major carriers offering dependable scheduled flights to Argentina from U.S. gateways include Aerolineas Argentinas (the country's national airline), Air Canada, British Airways, Iberia, and United (although other airlines may have added service by the time you plan your trips).

For more travel details about Argentina, check the country's official tourism Web site at www.turismo.gov.ar. You can also request brochures and travel agent materials from the Argentina Government Tourist Office by calling 212.603.0443 (New York) or 305.442.1366 (Florida).