03/29/2021 3:49 PM
Clarín.com
Trips
Updated 03/29/2021 4:14 PM
A few days before the start of the long weekend for
Easter,
and in the face of an increase in coronavirus cases and the implementation of new measures - such as the suspension of flights to Brazil, Chile and Mexico - representatives of the tourism sector met this Monday March 29 with the
Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Nation
, Matías Lammens, and the Minister of Health, Carla Vizzotti.
During the meeting, the national authorities indicated that, in principle,
there will be no restrictions for national tourism
during
Holy Week
.
What was emphasized in the meeting - and in what both the private sector and the ministers agreed, was to emphasize the importance of complying with and strengthening health protocols and recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus.
Meeting of representatives of the tourism sector with ministers Matías Lammens and Carla Vizzotti.
Photo: FAEVYT
"It is quite a bet for us to have
tourism open at Easter
and an
enormous responsibility
that we share with the minister and with all of you," said Minister Matías Lammens in reference to one of the long weekends that, historically, is usually the in greatest demand each year.
And he added: "We are going to ask that the
effort be redoubled
in each of the establishments, that they can download that line to each of the providers throughout the country."
For her part, Carla Vizzoti said that “today we are at a time when we have to redouble our efforts from the Nation, the provinces, the municipalities, the private sector and society, that is why it is important to review the protocols and strengthen them to have a
Week Caring Santa, minimize transmission
and slow down as much as possible the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases ”.
The Civic Center of Bariloche, in the 2019 edition of Holy Week.
Voices from a sector in crisis
From the
Argentine Chamber of Tourism
(CAT), its president Aldo Elías highlighted the expectations of the sector and the need for the commitment of all -providers and travelers- in care.
“We have
good expectations
and we understand that the movement can become similar to the Carnival holiday.
With a careful tourism, ventilating the environments, demanding the use of a chinstrap, the two meters of distance, the constant hygiene of hands and the use of alcohol gel, we will be able to have a successful long weekend ”, said Elías.
For his part, Gustavo Hani, president of FAEVYT (Argentine Federation of Associations of Travel and Tourism Companies), said: “It is important for tourism, and especially for travel agencies, that there are no restrictions that slow down activity.
Easter is an
important window
for tourism and in the current context it is essential to strengthen control over compliance with the protocols, "he said.
Via Crucis Submarino, a stamp of Puerto Madryn at Easter.
Photo Daniel Feldman
Hani stressed that in this context the support of the authorities is essential "so
that opportunities are not closed to the sector
. We are going through the most difficult years for tourism and we are looking for solutions that allow us to move forward."
Roberto Amengual, president of the
Association of Tourism Hotels of the Argentine Republic
(AHT), was also present, who spoke of the need to achieve not only that industry actors but also that
tourists comply with the basic principles
of care such as chinstrap, distancing , ventilation of spaces and cleaning of hands.
"We have managed to get 13 million people to move through our country during the summer season with no growth in cases and we believe that we can continue working in tourism with the same results," said Amengual.
Also attending the meeting were the presidents of Ahrcc, Ariel Amoroso;
from Aoca, Fernando Gorbarán;
from Fehgra, Graciela Fresno, while in virtual mode, the CAT secretary, Marcelo García;
the president of Fedecatur, Héctor Viñuales;
and the presidents of the provincial chambers of Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Santiago del Estero, Chaco, Misiones, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Catamarca, La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza, Córdoba, Río Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego.
Before concluding the meeting, both Lammens and Vizzotti insisted on the importance of maintaining the
link with the local health system
to quickly communicate the detection of suspected cases to proceed with testing and control.
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