Chile Expects 700,000 Foreign Tourists in January, February

Chile expects 700.000 foreign and overseas Chileans tourists this summer, up 10 percent over the same period a year ago, which are expected to inject $400 million to the economy, according to estimates from the National Tourism Office, Sernatur.

The tourism industry represents $1.7 billion for Chile and the main attraction areas are Valparaiso, Patagonia, San Pedro de Atacama and the Arica-Parinacota region.

Most foreign tourists to Chile come from North America and Europe representing 55 percent of the tourism contribution to the economy. However, in numbers Argentines lead with 35 percent, followed by Europeans 21 percent and from the U.S., 14 percent.

Tourism in 2007 was up 12.8 percent over 2006 with the Brazilians recording the highest increase of visitors, 28 percent, followed by Argentines 15.5 percent, Canadians 15 percent; Chinese and Swiss, 12 percent and Spaniards 10.1 percent.