With the dawn of the new decade comes a fresh perspective on the travel trends that will shape our holidays throughout 2020. The changing climate, Brexit fallout and the impact travellers leave on the destinations they visit are all major factors influencing our travel choices this 2020.
The Buenos Aires tourism board has highlighted some of the top trends for 2020, as predicted by industry leaders and organisations, which travellers can experience for themselves in the Argentine capital:
Long Haul Travel
Brexit has been a hot topic for the past three years and has greatly impacted the value of holidays as a result of the fall in the price of sterling. This, coupled with the possible complications of travel in the EU following the UK’s withdrawal on January 31st 2020, means that consumers are turning their attentions further afield for value for money.
With a very favourable exchange rate and low-cost flights, Buenos Aires provides the perfect long haul option for cash-conscious travellers. In July 2018, £1 would have bought 35 Pesos whereas currently it will buy 77, over 100% more. Norwegian Airlines offers springtime flights for an affordable £480 per person or less while the Buenos Aires tourism board’s two-day Buenos Aires for Free itinerary mean visitors can take in sights such as the famous Recoleta Cemetery or the verdant Ecological Reserve at no added cost.
Vegan Travel
Buenos Aires is widely recognised for its ‘parilla’ or ‘asado’ tradition serving up some of the heftiest and world-renowned steaks. However, despite its carnivorous appetite, a new vegan movement is blossoming in Buenos Aires that has seen more and more porteños turn to plant-based diets. Throughout the city, new vegan-friendly joints are sprouting up such as Silvia Retamar’s Sablée Vegana offering all the classic porteño sweet treats in vegan form.
Foodies can find medialunas (sweet croissants), alfajores (the recognised pastry of Argentina) and dulce de leche doughnuts all with a vegan twist. For dinner, travellers should head to Sacro in Buenos Aires’ swanky Palermo district serving high-end vegan food under four different sections: snacks, light, bold, and sweet. Favourites include the activated charcoal empanadas, carrot baos, barbacoa tacos and sweet potato ravioli. The blooming Buenos Aires vegan scene is timely as more and more travellers incorporate veganism into their holiday plans be it for health benefits, environmental or animal welfare reasons.
Low Season Travel
Overtourism continues to be a hot topic in 2020 ever since it was named word of the year by The Oxford Dictionary in 2018. Seasonality is a major factor influencing consumers’ holiday planning with many opting to visit destinations in their off-seasons.The Buenos Aires summer – and the traditional high season for visitors – occurs from November/December all the way through to March.
Travelling in the British summer is an excellent opportunity to have an alternative city break in the Argentine capital without the high numbers of domestic visitors. With temperatures on average between 10°C – 17°C, visitors can enjoy all that the city has to offer in pleasant conditions. What’s more there is a host of great events on in the city like the International Tango Festival and World Cup or the Masticar Food Festival. Visit the Buenos Aires tourism board website to discover all the best events taking place in the winter months.
Experiential Travel
As our work/life balance becomes increasingly blurred, many tourists are looking for deeper experiences on their travels that broaden their horizons and immerse them in other cultures. Buenos Aires is a mixing pot of cultures; a city founded on the blend of indigenous traditions and immigrant cultures from all over the world. Visitors looking for more meaningful experiences should head to the Centro Cultural Recoleta next to the famous Recoleta cemetery (free entry but closed on Mondays).
This is a popular community hub with art exhibitions, concerts, dance performances and workshops organised by young porteños tackling themes directly tied with current affairs from indigenous rights to personal identity. Ambitious travellers looking to try something new should head to a traditional milonga venue where they can take part in a tango class. Though notoriously difficult, a class gives Strictly-wannabes an insight into its deep-rooted traditions and even see a live performance from locals. A list of Tango Schools can be found on the Buenos Aires website.
For more information on Buenos Aires as a visitor destination, please visit https://turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar/en. Cover photo; Iglesia San Ignacio de Loyola. All photos ©Travel Buenos Aires
