This Friday afternoon, the Salto government signed the concession contract with Hilmay SA to reactivate the former Termas del Arapey Municipal Hotel. The ceremony was attended by Mayor Dr. Carlos Albisu, General Secretary Dr. Walter Texeira Núñez, and representatives of the firm, Jorge Pablo Bartesaghi and José Ignacio Cujó.
The main objective is to bring life back to one of the department's most iconic facilities, which had been closed for years. According to reports, the concession will allow the hotel to be modernized, expand its tourist offerings, and directly generate new jobs for local residents.
A key step for tourism
The mayor's general secretary, Walter Texeira Núñez, described the agreement as an "important step" in the plan to "reactivate Termas de Arapey and all its facilities." The municipality's commitment aims not only to recover the hotel but also to diversify the northern region's tourism offering.
For his part, businessman Jorge Pablo Bartesaghi, representing Hilmay SA, expressed his satisfaction with reaching the agreement and assured that the company will work closely with the Municipality and the local community. He emphasized that the project represents an opportunity to contribute to the development of national tourism.
Commitment to modernization and employment
The company's plan includes modernizing the hotel, improving its infrastructure, and implementing programs to integrate the community. The reopening is expected to boost departmental pride while boosting the local economy with new odd jobs and formal employment in the tourism sector.
Mayor Albisu emphasized that the reopening is part of his administration's objectives regarding infrastructure, tourism, culture, and investment. He acknowledged that the Arapey Hot Springs, which he described as "that little gem of the north," had suffered from stagnation in recent years, and that the new concession will mark a turning point in the area.
Political and social support
The concession enjoyed majority support in the Salto Departmental Council, demonstrating the importance of the project to the entire community. Local residents expressed optimism, hoping the hotel will once again become a meeting point and an economic driver for families who depend on tourism.
Meanwhile, the Salto government announced it will work in parallel on other infrastructure projects. These include the repair of the main access roads to the hot springs and the exploration of new connection routes to link Arapey with Artigas and Brazil. These actions, coordinated with the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, seek to consolidate the region as a significant tourist destination.
Expectations for the future
Mayor Albisu concluded his remarks by thanking Hilmay SA for its trust in the department and emphasizing that the project's success will be shared. "We need you to do well, because if you do well, the people of Salta do well," he said.
With this concession, Termas del Arapey begins a new phase. The challenge will be to transform this investment into tangible results for tourism, the local economy, and, ultimately, for families awaiting a respite in terms of jobs and income.
