Outbound trips by Argentines rise 38% year-on-year, doubling foreign arrivals

Trips abroad by Argentines surged 38.6 percent in 2025 compared with the previous year, underscoring a widening tourism imbalance.

Outbound travel far outpaced foreign arrivals to Argentina, official data from the INDEC national statistics bureau showed. 

According to the bureau, 18.839 million Argentines travelled overseas last year. Of those, 11,896,300 were classified as tourists (staying at least one night at their destination) and 6.942 million as “excursionists” (those who do not stay overnight).

By contrast, Argentina received 8,775,600 visitors in 2025, down 19.7 percent from 10,927,600 in 2024. That total included 5,315,900 tourists and 3,459,700 day-trippers.

Overall, the figures show that for every foreign visitor arriving in the country last year, two Argentines travelled abroad.

That imbalance has translated into a sharp deterioration in Argentina’s tourism balance. Spending by foreign visitors totalled US$3.110 billion, while Argentines spent US$7.1642 billion overseas, resulting in a negative balance of US$4.0542 billion.

The trend is at least partially the result of economic reforms introduced by Argentina’s President Javier Milei, including the removal of currency and price controls. 

While the government says the measures are restoring stability, analysts note that a stronger peso in real terms has made Argentina less attractive for foreign tourists while making overseas travel more accessible for residents.

Among non-resident visitors, gastronomy accounted for the largest share of spending at 31.2 percent, followed by accommodation (22.4 percent), shopping (13.5 percent) and tour packages (10.8 percent).

– TIMES/NA