From 41 to 13: that's why the Argentineans do not go shopping in Chile anymore

Chile is a country with an annual inflation rate of about 3%, so prices have not changed much between 2018 and today. However, the number of Argentineans who buy in the neighboring country has decreased considerably. According to data from the undersecretary of trans-Saharan tourism, they would have gone from 1,768,800 people in the first half of 2018 to 987,960 during the same period this year.

Barbara Valenzuela, doctor of economics, explained in the Chilean newspaper Las Ultimas Noticias that the fundamental factor was: "An Argentinean peso today surrounds the 13 Chilean pesos.Last year, it was more or less denominated in 41 Chilean pesos.In other words, they received more money in weight and this allowed them to buy in larger quantities. "

Volatility and devaluation had a very hard effect, so much so that The Argentineans who intend to go to Chile to shop should consider that for every peso they carry, they will receive 28 Chilean pesos less than they had received last year.

In the same sense, the specialist has badyzed that another factor is the collapse of the currency internally. "When their currency has more value, they can buy more dollars, now they need more money to buy the same thing," he said.

The problems of the economy have affected tourism figures in the neighboring country. Foreign tourists accounted for 22%, mainly because of the decrease in the number of Argentineans who crossed the mountain range.

Faced with this situation, the Chilean authorities wish to modify the strategy and redefine the strategic markets in order to reduce the dependence on Argentine tourists.

Monica Zalaquett, Undersecretary for Tourism, said she was betting on markets with tourists with longer stays and higher expenses, such as American and European tourists. The bet is also strong to tempt Asian tourists.