Spanish group wants to use Argentina as a base to expand in the region, but says that “the COUNTRY Tax destroys them”

The Argentina, along with Mexico and Brazil They make up the key markets towards which Civitatis, the platform for the sale of tours, activities and guided visits in Spanish used in the main tourist destinations in the world, is focusing its expansion at a regional level.

In Argentina, the possibility of hiring the tours proposed by the firm has existed since 2008. But the growth occurred especially after 2022. when the company began an ambitious expansion plan which covered other Latin American countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay and Chile. This involved, among other initiatives, the incorporation of regional managers, sales teams and promotion, communication and marketing actions.

“The Argentine is a traveler by natureeager to live memorable experiences, curious and interested in discovering new corners and cultures”, describes Alberto Gutiérrez, CEO and creator of the company valued among the next Spanish unicorns. And he adds: “In 2024 they will have traveled with the services it provides. Civitatis more than 600,000 Argentines. The objective in 2025 is to double this figure,” said the young businessman, within the framework of his visit to the country to participate in the International Tourism Fair (FIT 2024).

Taking into account the more than 4,000 destinations it sells in 160 countries, The platform has just reached a historic milestone by surpassing the 30,000 travel agencies who work strategically with the platform at a global level. In terms of users, last year, the company had 10 million and This 2024, it plans to end up with 15 million travelers.

The countries that lead the growth in sales (as a destination chosen to visit) are Rome, New York and Paris. Although, depending on the origin of the travelers, Spain concentrates 60% of the market and the rest is made up of Italy and Latin America.

In the region, Civitatis does not have direct competition as in other continents, but – on the other hand – “it is riskier to work, given the volatility of their economies,” explains the Spanish businessman. As an example, he cites as an obstacle at the local level, the PAIS Tax that taxes consumption in dollars. “The PAIS tax destroys us,” he resumed even with the incentive of his imminent resignation at the end of the year.

A nivel global, Civitatis has competitors in Asia, through Klook, in the United Stateswith Viator, which belongs to Trip Advisors and in Germany, with the company Get your guide.

Civitatis’ expansion process was driven by a recent investment of US$ 50 million by the investment fund Vitruvian Partners, which allowed the platform to strengthen its presence in different markets and also optimize its catalog of services. On the other hand, the company also prioritizes the creation of alliances with leading companies in the sector such as airlines, tourism operators and other entities in the sector to try to reach the largest number of travelers possible.

The bet on the Argentine market “implies a great contribution to regional economies, since it promotes local ventures in each destination and provides regional and international visibility,” says the Spanish CEO.

This year, for example, the platform added unique experiences in the country to its portfolio such as The visit to Maradona’s House in La Paternal and the excursion to Valley of Tears of Mendoza where part of the plane from the Andes tragedy is located, among more than 200 new activities from 16 local tourist destinations, where it has a total of almost 1,700 activities and more than 6,500 in Latin America.