CHILE: Chile Receives More Than 4 Million Tourists In 2015

With an unpublished figure that surpassed 4 million foreign tourists, Chile closes the door on a more than positive year, both in terms of industry and international promotion. The growth came to 20.4%, whereas in 2015 tourists travelling from Latin America increased by 27.7% and North America 13%. Long-haul markets such as Asia 19.9% and Europe increased by 1.5% from the previous year.

The Copa America was an important factor, but not the only reason why people chose to visit. When revising the monthly figures relating to tourist arrivals in Chile, a marked increase occurred during the first semester of 2015. In particular, there was a clear increase in Brazilian tourists who arrived during the summer, the result of certain intensive promotional actions.

Chile hopes to receive 5 million visitors in 2020. It’s an ambitious challenge, but with the development and promotion of new destinations, the diversity of options available to travelers will also grow.

One of the experiences that has empowered Chile and its international promotion strategies is Astronomical Tourism. Over the past few years, the north of the country has become one of the best places in the world to observe the sky. The dry environment, the altitude, the stable nature of the sky and the vast quantity of clear nights, has turned Chile into a paradise for astronomical observations.

A special mention goes to San Pedro de Atacama, one of the most privileged regions on the planet for nocturnal sky observations. The experience can be enjoyed through the naked eye in this area, located 1.630 km north of Santiago, just by looking up every night.

Under the most optimum conditions, anything up to 3.000 stars can be distinguished in just one nocturnal sky. Its unbeatable advantage has allowed Chile to position itself as an astronomical force. Close to 40% of the world’s astronomical observations are undertaken in our country.