For the clientele to which you cater – both the tourist and the businessperson – what is the hotel’s added value?

The added value is that the Paraguayo Yacht Resort and Golf Club is the most complete and important resort in Paraguay, offering a whole range of services and activities to take part in; such as playing golf on our 18-hole course, where the green fee is complimentary for all of our guests; playing tennis on any of our 13 courts; squash; two imposing pools; volleyball; basketball; football; bicycle rides; and a range of recreational activities for both adults and children.
For corporate guests wifi is included in the fare, as well as transfers to and from the city centre. We offer meeting rooms, secretarial services, and all the support services necessary for an excellent stay.

The tourism industry has seen exponential growth and development in recent years, above all in corporate tourism related to events, fairs, and conventions. What advantages are there in using Paraguayo Yacht Resort and Golf Club as a strategic partner?

The Yacht Resort is the only complex that can, in addition to hosting nearly 450 passengers, accommodate a further 2500 in carrying out congresses, conventions and fairs between the many events rooms it has available. Each of these events rooms has an incomparable view of the Paraguay River and an ample and varied range of A&B services from the two restaurants and snack bars, among the many other sports facilities I mentioned previously.

“Paraguay has been characterized as having one of the highest stability of the region at a monetary and fiscal level, and as a result has had great development in the real estate sector”

Paraguayo Yacht Resort and Golf Club recently hosted the Paraguayan Institute of Accountants´ Summit of the Americas 2016. What comments were there on the experience had by guests and organisers?

The feedback we had was very rewarding: both the organisers and participants were really pleased with our services. The ideal nature of our infrastructure for these kinds of events was highlighted. They loved having everything in one place – nature, luxury, comfort, and excellent gastronomy.

According to preliminary statistics released by SENATUR on the revenues obtained from receptive tourism in the first period of 2016 were US$193 million. In your opinion, what strategies would be necessary to increase revenues from tourism in Paraguay?

SENATUR’s priority should be to create, in partnership with a recognised consultancy specialised in marketing tourism, a marketing strategy for promoting Paraguay in the medium to long term, working on a national brand and directing their efforts first on regional markets such as Argentina and Brazil.

Paraguay attracted more than a million tourists in 2015. What hidden gems does the country have to offer that readers should know about?

Apart from the warmth which characterises and distinguishes it, Paraguay has many tourist attractions in various cities, each of which has its own charm and unique style. In Asunción’s historic centre you will find many cultural treasures, the ‘costanera’ and many new high-quality gastronomic establishments. Ciudad del Este has distinguished itself as an important buying centre with a variety of premium international brands, Encarnación for the splendid Costanera, as well as the two most important hydroelectric plants on the American continent, which have become the object of innumerable tourist visits to the south of the country.

What message would you like to send to international investors about the opportunities that are hiding in Paraguay’s tourist sector?

Paraguay has, in the last few years, been characterised by being among the most stable countries in the region at a monetary and fiscal level, the rules of the game being very clear for foreign investors. It has seen significant development in its housing sector, and now, in relation to the tourism sector, the hotel developments undertaken in the last two years have boosted room availability, but demand has not risen at the same rate.

◊ The Resort Yacht and Golf Club Paraguay opened in 1981 with the then president of Paraguay at the opening ceremony along with many other dignitaries.

◊ The five-star facility offers lavish accommodations on 200 m of private beach. Leisure options include an 18-hole golf course, wellness spa, and outdoor pool along with spacious rooms that offer free wifi, king-size beds and scenic landscape views.