Wine Law

WINE TOURISM IN ARGENTINA 415 consume and possibly buy wine, often in the place where it is produced or nearby 7 . It is tourism of wellbeing, as well as an engine for development in certain areas, due to the volume of visitors they receive. At the same time, it helps to develop local economies and preserve the natural landscape of the area by maintaining the vineyards and generating positive effects: a) providing a greater attraction for visitors by completing the local tourist offer; b) attracting new investment in the area where it is developed; c) increasing employment offer and tax collection; d) helping to spread or diffuse local culture; e) increasing the circulation of technical knowledge; and f) contributing to the formation of a positive image for the locality and the region by rescuing or preserving the local culture through tourist activities. In Argentina, the importance of wine tourism or enotourism is given by article 1 of National Tourism Law No. 25.997, which declares tourism of national interest as a socioeconomic, strategic and essential activity for the country’s development. Moreover, it expresses that the tourist activity is a priority within the policies of the State. It is a guiding principle of law to facilitate the coordination and integration of internal regulations for social, economic and cultural development. Tourism is a social and economic right of the people due its contribution to the integral development of the use of free time and the revaluation of the cultural identity of the communities, sustainable development, quality of the destinations, competitiveness and accessibility, as well as the elimination of all barriers that impede the use and enjoyment of the tourist activity, encouraging the equalisation of opportunities. In turn, Law No, 26.870 declares Argentine wine as a national drink , and, for this purpose, the National Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries authority promotes action plans that meet the following objectives: a) to disseminate the cultural characteristics involved in the production, elaboration and consumption of Argentine wine and its traditions; b) to promote the image and isologue of Argentine wine in all kinds of official events in the country and abroad; 7 World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Tourism Definitions , op . cit . p. 45.