The team at Awasi Iguazu was honoured to receive a visit from Argentine President, Mauricio Macri, and the first lady, Juliana Awada.

The Argentine President paid a visit to the Iguazu Falls and Misiones Province as part of a national plan to develop the regional economy, therein including a visit to Awasi Iguazu as our lodge is an example of the growing local economy.

Part of the team at Awasi Iguazu, welcoming President Mauricio Macri and his wife, Juliana Awada.

This hotel has a very, very high standard, which generates seven jobs for each room, President Macri said about Awasi Iguazu.

Meeting with our staff, and local Guarani tribes with whom we collaborate so that our guests can enjoy an insight into the local culture, the President was especially impressed by Awasi’s efforts to support the local community.

President Macri with Lidio, who is part of a neighbouring Guarani community, while teaching him about native handcrafts.

He also spoke at length with Fernando Rivero – known as Pica – who joined our team with the opening of the lodge, as he was interested in his story.

I met Pica, and his story truly made me emotional,” President Macri said during a conference after his visit, “he is 28 years old and is one of the employees at Awasi. As well as working as a driver, he uses his free days to work on his farm. He has lived in Misiones his whole life and this is the first job he has had outside of the family’s business.”

Fernando, or “Pica” as his friends call him, now a driver at Awasi.

The local economy in and around the Iguazu Falls is largely driven by tourism: the falls are the second most visited destination in Argentina, after Buenos Aires. Economic development relies greatly on tourism; regional improvements include rebuilding the local airport and there are future plans to offer direct flights between Iguazu and Europe.

The President travelled to Northern Argentina with his wife, Juliana Awada, and their daughter, Antonia. Awasi Iguazu is the first luxury lodge of its kind in the region, and the only Relais & Chateaux hotel.

If you would like to know more about our staff and the opportunity of joining our team, please visit our website for job opportunities.

 

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