Data from Los Libertadores International Pass shows that between the end of December and the first week of January, some 84,000 people crossed through that border area, compared to more than 107,000 during the same period last summer.

The decline is explained, firstly, by families’ reduced savings capacity, along with adverse weather conditions, which led many Argentine tourists to opt for vacations within their own province or choose other destinations. The exchange rate also played a role, since, with the fall of the dollar, Chileans are giving fewer pesos for the greenback.

At the beginning of this week, the US dollar fell to 888 pesos and, if it maintains this level, will match its lowest point since May 20, 2024. Meanwhile, shopping tourism, which accounted for a significant portion of travel, is undergoing a transformation with the increase in online sales through international platforms.

Analysts also cite the perception of insecurity as a possible cause of the decline in tourism, following an incident on November 27 when a bus carrying 28 Argentine tourists was robbed in the town of Tiltil.

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