Enrique Hernández analyzed the impact of the World Cup in Mexico: "128 thousand Argentine tourists arrived in these first six months"

Argentina could face a significant outflow of foreign currency due to the upcoming World Cup final, with estimates suggesting up to $513 million might leave the country through tourism-related spending. This figure includes both existing travel plans and new trips specifically aimed at attending the match between Argentina and France on Sunday. The projection comes from the consulting firm Qualy, which previously estimated a $455 million demand based on around 45,500 Argentine travelers attending the tournament. With Argentina's qualification for the final, the firm added an additional 4,500 fans who will travel exclusively for the game, increasing the potential outflow to $513 million. The calculation assumes an average expenditure of $13,000 per person, broken down into $8,000 for tickets, $1,700 for airfare, $2,000 for accommodation, and $1,300 for other expenses. This estimate builds upon previous data, including stadium capacities, ticket prices, and historical trends in Argentine participation in international sporting events. However, Qualy noted that the net effect on the demand for dollars might be less severe than initially thought, as some of this spending could replace planned winter vacation budgets rather than add to them. The surge in demand has already impacted the aviation sector, with Aerolíneas Argentinas adding a third charter flight between Buenos Aires and New York after initial flights sold out within minutes. Latin American Airlines (Latam) has also expanded its capacity and introduced special services via Santiago, Chile. Travel agencies have reported limited availability and rising prices as the final approaches. Meanwhile, in Mexico, the impact of hosting the 2026 World Cup has been mixed. Turism from Argentina to Mexico dropped nearly 10% during the first half of the year, according to journalist Enrique Hernández. Argentina ranks among the top four countries sending tourists to Mexico, behind the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The decline was particularly pronounced in Cancun, which accounts for approximately 90% of Argentine tourism to Mexico. Factors contributing to the drop include the proliferation of seaweed along beaches, security alerts from the U.S., and limited direct flight options. Cancun’s tourism suffered significantly, while Puerto Vallarta saw a near 40% decrease in visitors following a violent incident linked to drug trafficking in February. Hernández attributed the issue to structural problems rather than solely the current Mexican government's policies, noting a relative improvement in violence indicators compared to past peaks. Despite these challenges, the Mexican government continues investing in tourism infrastructure, such as the Tren Maya project, which aims to connect coastal areas and archaeological sites through a railway network. According to Hernández, 128,000 Argentine tourists visited Mexico in the first six months of the year, down from 141,000 in the same period last year. Of these, 122,000 chose Cancun as their primary destination, highlighting its continued appeal despite recent setbacks. The situation underscores the complex interplay between global sporting events and regional tourism dynamics, with Argentina's World Cup journey influencing both domestic and international travel patterns.