Messi, Milei and Mickey Mouse Are Driving Argentine Tourists to US
Francisco González Galé didn’t expect to feel so at home when he fulfilled his kids’ wishes earlier this year by traveling to Walt Disney World in Orlando from Buenos Aires. The 46-year-old Argentine lawyer used to fly to the US once every couple of years, but he’s already been stateside twice in 2025, a telling sign of a burgeoning trend. What’s driving this uptick in outbound tourism from Argentina, especially to the United States? It seems to be a curious confluence of celebrity, economic upheaval, and classic family entertainment.
For years, Argentine travelers have held a special fondness for the US, particularly Florida. But the current surge is different, fueled by a unique set of circumstances. On one hand, you have the perennial draw of Mickey Mouse and the magic of Orlando’s theme parks, a highly aspirational trip for many families. This foundational appeal is now being supercharged by two distinctly Argentine phenomena.
Firstly, the Lionel Messi effect is undeniable. Since the legendary footballer joined Inter Miami in 2023, South Florida has become an even more magnetic destination for fans from across Latin America, and especially Argentina. Visiting Miami to catch a game, perhaps even seeing Messi play live, has added a powerful new dimension to the traditional vacation itinerary. It’s no longer just about shopping or beaches; it’s about a pilgrimage to see a national hero in action. This sports tourism component is generating significant new bookings, often extending trips to include other Florida attractions or even other US cities.
Secondly, and perhaps more complexly, is the influence of President Javier Milei’s radical economic policies. While his austerity measures have undoubtedly put a squeeze on many households, for a segment of the population, particularly those with access to foreign currency or businesses benefiting from deregulation, the new economic landscape presents a paradoxical incentive for international travel. The government’s efforts to stabilize the economy and address the peso’s volatility, while often painful, have also created a sense of a "new normal." For some, this means a perceived greater predictability in dollar-denominated expenses, making international travel budgeting more straightforward than it has been in years. What’s more interesting is that for those with dollar savings, spending them abroad might feel like a more secure investment than keeping them in a volatile local market, or simply a long-awaited realization of travel plans deferred by past economic uncertainty.
This combination of factors — the enduring allure of Walt Disney World, the electrifying presence of Lionel Messi in Miami, and the shifting economic sands under President Milei — is creating a powerful undertow pulling Argentine tourists northward. It reflects not just discretionary spending but also a strategic decision for some, leveraging perceived economic stability or simply seizing the opportunity to experience something unique. Travel agencies in Buenos Aires are reporting strong demand for US packages, suggesting that Francisco González Galé’s double-dip into the American experience is far from an isolated incident. For the US tourism industry, it’s a welcome boost, while for Argentina, it represents a complex outflow of capital, albeit one driven by a mix of aspiration, fandom, and evolving economic realities.
