BUENOS AIRES – Government officials from Spain and Argentina on Wednesday announced in the two nations’ capitals an alliance whereby they are seeking to spur development of their tourism sectors based on technological innovation to create jobs in both countries.

The aim is to transform Spain into the “gateway for Argentines to Europe and, at the same time, into the (gateway) for Europeans to South American and Argentina,” said Argentine Tourism Minister Gustavo Santos during the presentation of the first Argentine-Spanish symposium in the sector, to take place on Dec. 12-14 in Buenos Aires.

The details of the meeting, entitled “Keys to Tourism Competitiveness for the 21st Century,” on Wednesday were provided in a video-conference between Madrid and the Argentine capital participated in by government officials of both countries.

The aim “is not only to share tourists,” but also “experiences linked to connectivity,” said Santos before emphasizing that Spain and Argentina share a “common vision” of the development of their tourism sectors to create “more jobs.”

Spain’s secretary of state for international cooperation and for Ibero-America, Jesus Gracia, called the event a “magnificent occasion” to highlight the virtues of the South American nation, which – he said – “has everything to be one of the great world tourist destination countries.”

The symposium will gather in Buenos Aires some 50 experts from the two countries, who will participate in discussions and conferences where they will exchange experiences and suggestions linked to tourism development.

Present at the December meeting will be representatives of companies such as Amadeus, BBVA, Google, the State Society for the Management of Innovation and Tourism Technologies (Segittur), the Argentine Tourism Chamber, NH, Aerolineas Argentinas and Iberia Airlines, among others.