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INSIDER



          John Price Analysis:

          How tourism will grow in Latin America, with Argentina leading the way



              Latin America information specialist                             world, Price says that the world is just
          John Price, keynote speaker at the                                   beginning to get a taste for the region.
          International Association of Airport and                                Two concepts have been bringing
          Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) 2025 Summit                                in new tourism: digital nomads and
          of the Americas in March, delivered an                               wellness. The concept of digital nomads,
          engaging, informative session that delved                            a phenomena accelerated under COVID,
          into the political, economic, and social                             has attracted Americans, Europeans and
          trends in Latin America that drive the travel                        Canadians, says Price. Wellness travel is
          sector.                                                              also very popular in Latin America today.
              A veteran of Latin America market                                   Price is also very excited about
          consulting and one of the leading public                             the prospects of gastro tourism in Latin
          speakers and thought leaders in the region,                          America, especially in Peru, which has
          Price’s in-depth presentation discussed                              become a global destination:
          the evolving travel trends and economic                                 “The Italians and French have
          landscape in Latin America, including                                perfected gastro-tourism but now we’re
          the rise of niche travel, with a focus on                            seeing it emulated in places like Peru,
          adventure, eco-tourism, and wellness; the                            Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico,”
          opportunity provided by digital nomads                               he said.
          and retirees, particularly from the U.S.,
          and Argentina’s GDP growth, which is   John Price speaking at the 2025 IAADFS   Capacity investment
          expected to surge post-currency control   Summit of the Americas in March  COVID was very disruptive to travel
          removal.                                                             patterns in the Caribbean and parts of Latin
              The region’s aging population and                                America, with some tourism destinations
          increased disposable income are also                                 being closed or under restrictions for as
          fueling travel and luxury spending. On the   Travel trends in Latin America  long as three years. Other destinations,
          down side, said Price, Brazil is struggling   Noting that Latin America is blessed   primarily Mexico, remained mostly open,
          for stability and Mexico is facing economic   with beautiful natural assets in so many   and tourism surged. And the same went for
          uncertainties. Capacity issues are also a   parts of the region, but is nevertheless one   the Dominican Republic, one of the first
          challenge, particularly in the Caribbean.  of the most under-explored regions of the   destinations to open.







































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