This week, the Government finally implemented a profound deregulation of the National Parks Administration that had already been announced at the beginning of the year.
The changes introduced now alter the rules of the game for tourist services in protected areas, as they will simplify their exploitation.
Additionally, the value of the work of specialized guides is diminished, as their hiring will no longer be mandatory in protected areas.
According to the official discourse, the deregulation in National Parks promises to streamline procedures for private operators of tourist services, with greater ease to offer various services.
However, the regulation generates strong opposition from park rangers and professional guides due to its lack of environmental awareness.
The Resolution 62/2025, whose definitive implementation began in March, established the foundations of the new system.
And, this Tuesday, a new resolution came into effect that modifies key aspects of the regulation to “streamline processes” and allow a “simpler implementation”: the 359/2025.
National Parks: what changes with the Government’s deregulation
Firstly, this week the total digitalization of the procedures for tourist service provider permits through the Remote Procedures (TAD) platform was confirmed.
Thanks to this, private providers can now request permits online, eliminating the “eternal tenders” that the Government criticizes.
The new tourism deregulation in National Parks introduces two types of permits: simplified and standard.
The first applies to low-impact activities with a maximum of 15 people, no motor in boats, and only removable infrastructure smaller than 30 m².
Activities under simplified permits no longer require environmental impact studies.
This was reported by the Minister of State Deregulation, Federico Sturzenegger, who celebrated the changes through his social networks.
“For activities that fall under the simplified procedure, the need to present the environmental impact study is eliminated“, he detailed.
Among the simplified activities are:
- kayak rentals;
- rowing boats;
- bicycles;
- low-difficulty trekking excursions;
- street vending, and;
- photographic service.
The standard permit, on the other hand, applies to operations that exceed 15 visitors or require more complex infrastructure. These must present a technical environmental impact report.
The debate about professional guides
The most controversial change is the elimination of the general obligation to hire qualified guides.
Now, they will only be required for “high-risk” activities, removing them from the picture in thousands of situations where their oversight for environmental and tourist care is also key.
The list of activities that maintain the requirement for guides includes:
- Diving and rafting excursions;
- Medium difficulty trekking and high mountain;
- Climbing and ice activities;
- Horseback riding and fishing excursions;
- Expedition kayaks.
For Sturzenegger, the previous obligation was “as absurd as requiring that someone visiting a museum must do so with a guide”.
According to the Government, this deregulation of National Parks aims to “reduce costs and increase competition”.
However, the sector does not view this positively: from the National Parks branch of the ATE state workers’ union, criticism was quick to arrive.
“Tourism guides are professionals, they are not an option… national parks are wild areas”, they stated.
They also warned about the risk of having “hundreds of people alone in parks like Glaciers, Iguazú, Nahuel Huapi, Lanín“.
The union considers that guides “are conservation agents who multiply our conservation messages”, a role that goes beyond tourist accompaniment.
The case of the Perito Moreno Glacier and Sturzenegger’s “celebration”
While celebrating the measure on his social networks, Minister Sturzenegger used the Perito Moreno Glacier as an example to justify the reform.
The official denounced that “for years, activities on one of our most majestic natural wonders have been in the hands of a single operator“.
The minister pointed out that the situation led to “exorbitant prices“, which meant that “the glacier was walked by wealthy Brazilian tourists while thousands of Argentines could not access“.
According to his data, out of 500,000 people who visit Los Glaciares National Park, only 50,000 can afford the glacier walk.
“Ideally, everyone should be able to do it”, he stated. This is the phrase that today alarms environmental specialists due to greater freedom of exploitation of protected areas.
With the new regulation, “any interested party can present their own project to offer activities on both the north and south faces”, highlighted Sturzenegger.
The regulation is designed “so that more providers can join, without obstacles, without privileges”.
Therefore, the minister concluded with a call to entrepreneurs that is concerning: “We await you so that, working with National Parks, you can offer many more services and at much more affordable prices than those currently in place”.
A judicial battle for the care of National Parks
The Association of Tourism Guides of Santa Cruz (Aguisac) filed an injunction in April against the APN.
Although it was rejected in the first instance, the appeal received support from the chamber prosecutor’s office in August.
The prosecutor’s opinion acknowledged that “the deregulation promoted by National Parks violates environmental rights, weakens visitor safety, and contradicts international commitments assumed by Argentina”, as disseminated by Aguisac.
“Our role as guides is not just to accompany tourists: it is to educate, prevent risks, and protect the natural and cultural heritage of everyone”, argued the entity.
The government argues that the National Parks deregulation will allow new activities such as “yoga, meditation, or hot air balloon flights”.
Now, the current permits will be automatically extended until May 2026 to facilitate the transition in high season.
The authorities project that the greater supply of private providers will begin to impact in the coming weeks, with an eventual reduction in prices due to competition.
