Tourism in Chile Reaped More Profits in 2004

The number of foreign visitors that traveled to Chile in 2004 spent $1.2 billion in all. According to a recent report released by the South American nation´s National Tourism Service (SERNATUR), the country welcomed 1.8 million trippers from overseas all through last year.

The local tourist sector also snapped up 10 percent more revenues in 2004 than the year before, when it came in for 1.1 million sunbathers.

In recent years, SERNATUR has carried out a plan aimed at fostering tourist outflows from Europe and North America, especially from the U.S. and Canada. This action plan has put the institution in a favorable position to offset the decline of Argentina travelers to the country as a result of the profound economic crisis that had hit the neighboring nation.

In the same breath, SERNATUR is bent on egging on nationals to tour the country under an all-embracing plan entitled Come and Discover Chile.

“We´ve decided to home in on national tourists this year and make that segment the backbone of our new promotional campaign,” SERNATUR Chief Oscar Santelices explained in a recent interview.