The Argentine Ministry of Tourism is expecting more people to flock to carnival this weekend than ever before. They predict that two million people will travel to the festivities, spending an estimated $1,600m (US$ 366m).

Mar del Plata, Partido de La Costa and Patagonia are enjoying high levels of employment during carnival, providing the economy with a welcome boost.

Accommodation is at 80% capacity, and the peak periods are already fully booked.

It is reported that a record 2,400 buses will leave Retiro Bus station in Buenos Aires over the weekend to keep up with the exodus.

Town officials have praised Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s move to extend the holiday by an extra day this year.

“The decision of the President (Cristina Fernández) to bring back the Carnival holidays will boost the economy and benefit all tourist towns in Argentina,” Juan Pablo de Jesús, the mayor of Partido de La Costa told news website Infobe.

A number of towns across Argentina – including Córdoba, Bariloche and Entre Rios – are also expecting a boost from tourism. This is despite a prediction of heavy rain and storms across the country, particularly in the capital and central provinces.

Citing strong growth in tourism and demands from within the industry, the President Christina Fernández de Kirchner announced in an act at the Government House the creation of the new ministry, to be led by the current Secretary of Tourism Enrique Meyer.

President Fernandez emphasized the importance of the tourism industry, saying it is one of the most important sources of jobs and income in Argentina. “Since 2003, the amount of dollars and tourists that enter the country has doubled,” she said.

She noted that investments in accommodations in 2003 have returned a profit of 1,000 percent and that Argentina’s destinations – Cordoba, Mendoza, and Rosario, as well as Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata – are known worldwide.

“We want to keep driving this type of investment that generates jobs,” she said, and pointed out that “the business sector will appreciate these efforts and accompany them with strong investments.”

Attempts to attract business events are bearing fruit as well, according to the president. “When we launched the plan to promote international events we received 145 events, signifying 19th place in the world in overall events celebrated,” she said. She went on to say that “the city of Buenos Aires received the most events” in Latin America.

Similarly, Argentines are travelling abroad in larger numbers. According to the president, “Argentina’s tourism since 2003 has experienced exponential growth. So exponential that last year international tourism fell eight percent, while in Argentina, tourism to the exterior increased by eight percent.”

Almost 5 million Argentines travelled outside of the country in 2009, according to President Fernández.

The new Minister of Tourism will be sworn in next Wednesday in a ceremony at the Casa Rosada.