A tax break announced at the fair's opening
Buenos Aires head of government Jorge Macri opened the Latin American International Tourism Fair (FIT) on Saturday at La Rural, an edition marking the event's 30th anniversary, and used the ceremony to announce that bookshops, hotels and restaurants will not pay the ABL municipal property tax during the first half of next year. He framed the measure as part of a wider push to consolidate the city as a hub for national and international tourism, arguing that the industry lets Buenos Aires grow and generate value, goods and services.[S1][S2]
Macri said the exemption would apply in 2027, as it does this year, and that bookshops had been added to the list of beneficiaries. He described the relief, together with the 2027 budget, as a statement of principle aimed at reducing the burden on those who invest and create employment. To fund it, he said his administration permanently reviews spending, citing the elimination of 9,000 administrative posts and 359 management positions, and the suspension of contracts with 40 phantom canteens that he said cost the city more than 16 billion pesos a year.[S1]
The announcement was made before more than 1,100 representatives of chambers and associations, travel agencies, professionals from other countries, national authorities and diplomats. Macri was accompanied by economic development minister Hernán Lombardi, the president of the city's tourism entity Valentín Díaz Gilligan, sports secretary Fabián Turnes and general and international relations secretary Fulvio Pompeo.[S1]
Visitor numbers and the case for the sector
Macri said 1.6 million international tourists arrived between January and July of this year, 19% more than in 2025, and argued that when tourism does well the city does well. Lombardi described FIT as an essential link in the city's events calendar, a showcase for its attractions that also draws visitors from across Argentina and abroad, and said more than 70 countries are present this year while the city government makes a strategic bet on tourism through greater connectivity and lower taxes.[S1]
Díaz Gilligan said the fair's three decades make it an opportunity to show the world that tourism is an engine of development benefiting residents and supporting more than 150,000 jobs. He said the city reaffirms its commitment to be a strategic ally of the private sector and is promoting sports tourism to consolidate Buenos Aires as a host of major international events.[S1][S3]
According to one report, close to 9 million tourists visit Buenos Aires every year, generating more than 150,000 jobs and driving several economic sectors.[S3]
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Sports tourism and the city's stand
The city's stand, open until Tuesday, centres on sports tourism and the international projection that officials want to consolidate, presenting Buenos Aires as a venue for major global events and a key engine of economic development. The reference points are the return of MotoGP to the Oscar y Juan Gálvez racetrack after 28 years and a strategic vision to bring Formula 1 back as well.[S1]
The space offers an immersive setting for professionals and visitors, with exclusive boxes featuring MotoGP simulators. The motorcycling championship returns to the city next year, with the fourth round of the season scheduled at the renovated circuit from 9 to 11 April. Visitors can also take a virtual lap of the track at the wheel of a Formula 1 car.[S1]
Organised by the city's tourism entity together with UN Tourism, the gathering at the Palermo site addresses the sector's real economic impact, infrastructure business models and industry trends. Participants include representatives of the International Automobile Federation, Dorna Sports, Spain's Atlético de Madrid club, the Buenos Aires ATP tournament and international sports figures.[S1]
Accessibility, culture and the fair's agenda
The event also reaffirms a commitment to positioning Buenos Aires as an accessible, diverse and hospitable destination. Discussions cover progress and challenges in tourism accessibility, training for private providers, inclusion in cultural offerings and job opportunities.[S1]
Visitors can attend a display of Buenos Aires fileteado art with artist Aixa Macarena Villalba, who will perform live, and a space devoted to the history of the Barrio Chino, described as one of the city's most traditional and vibrant places. The Kilómetro del Alfajor Argentino and Bacará Alfajor will share experiences and hold alfajor raffles, while DJ Festa Bros will play live to close the sessions.[S3]
