Chile is preparing for the summer season and for the opportunity to recover, at least slightly, from the pandemic. The country had reopened to foreign air travelers in November, while its border crossings with Argentina, Chile’s main receiving market, were set to begin reopening in December.
But the Chilean government announced that it will postpone the reopening of the borders scheduled for December 1. All this while the country holds its presidential elections, the effects of which could shape the trajectory of the country’s tourism industry.
Many Chilean tourism organizations, such as the Chilean Association of Tourism Companies, are calling on the country’s government to simplify Chile’s entry procedure. Potential visitors can still enter Chile at several airports, as long as they have an approved Covid vaccine, fitness insurance, a mobility pass and undergo a PCR check within 72 hours of arrival. arrival.
Travel and tourism accounted for about 10% of Chile’s gross domestic product before the pandemic.
Despite the efforts of tourism officials, the industry does not have a main topic of debate as the country quickly approaches the second round of the presidential election on December 19, which will pit José Antonio Kast and Gabriel Boric, two candidates who received the most votes in the presidential election, against each other. . first round.
“We met with several applicants for the crusade and gave them a document detailing our proposals for tourism development,” said Helen Kouyoumdjian, executive vice president of the Federation of Tourism Companies of Chile, an organization that represents corporations in the sector. 195,000 foreign visitors between November and March 2022 before the announcement of the late reopening of the borders, a figure that, although 80% lower than pre-pandemic figures, represents an improvement compared to 2020.
Several tourism executives in Chile have said some prospective visitors have been put off by uncertainty about whether their vaccines will be approved in time. Tomás Sahli, president of the Tourism Commission on the country’s Cámara Nacional de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo said travelers have missed flights because their vaccines weren’t approved in time.
“For foreigners, arriving in Chile is an achievement,” said Sahli.
It’s unclear what the new management will mean for hiking in the country, but Lorena Arriagada believes local hiking companies want more funding. “Regardless of who Chile chooses, hiking will have to become a priority,” said the general secretary of the Chilean Association of Tourism Companies, which represents agencies and excursion operators.
Kouyoumdjian supported Arriagada’s opinion and added that tourism is responsible for 600,000 jobs in the country. “Beyond who will be the next president of Chile or which mandate will prevail, we want a long-term state tourism policy that goes beyond that of any government,” Kouyoumdjian said.
Chile’s tourism industry is also facing a recent blow: Argentina’s Central Bank announced that it would prohibit credit card corporations from financing tourism purchases in installments, which is the way many of the country’s citizens organize their hotel stays.
In addition, Easter Island or Rapa Nui will remain closed to tourism until February 2022, despite the fact that 77% of its population is fully vaccinated.
“Obviously, it is a complex issue. It is one of our most (iconic) destinations along with Atacama and the Torres del Paine national park, especially for those that come to South America to visit more than one country. So the impact extends beyond Chile,” said Arriagada.
Tags: Chile, Latin America, coronavirus recovery, South America
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