InvestChile Blog

WTA 2022: Chile is South America’s best adventure tourism destination

Written by InvestChile | September,2,2022

The 29th World Travel Awards (WTA) for South America 2022 named Chile the Most Romantic Destination and the Leading Adventure Tourism Destination. These honors also demonstrate the business and investment opportunities that exist in Chile. 

For the eighth consecutive year, Chile was declared the indisputable winner in the category “Leading Adventure Tourism Destination,” beating out competition from major South American tourism markets at the 29th World Travel Awards (WTA) for South America 2022. Chile was also named Most Romantic Destination. 

With over 100 parks and nature reserves, more than 4000 km of coastline and the driest desert in the world, just to name a few of Chile’s natural attractions, the country has become the undeniable destination for adventure tourism companies all due to its contrasting landscapes from north to south.  

Known as the “Oscars of Tourism”, the World Travel Awards are considered to be one of the tourism industry’s most prestigious accolades. Chile’s Atacama Desert—the world’s driest desert, which covers the country’s Arica y Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama, and Coquimbo regions—was named as the continent’s Most Romantic Destination for the fifth time. 

Which is the best destination in South America? 

For the second time, Chile was named as South America’s Leading Destination, ahead of other popular destinations such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Perú, among others. 

Chile’s Undersecretary of Tourism, Verónica Kunze, applauded the accolades obtained by the country, noting that these acknowledgments “confirm that Chile has huge tourism potential”. 

“The fact that the country has again stood out in various categories highlights the efforts of tourism entrepreneurs and businesspeople to diversify destinations and provide options for visitors. This recognition will undoubtedly boost foreign tourist arrivals in Chile, and will be a major factor in meeting our forecast of almost 1.9 million international visitors this year”, she added. 

2022 World Travel Awards  

The World Travel Awards acknowledge the best tourist attractions, hotels, destinations, airlines, and travel agencies around the world. First, continent-level competitions are held, prior to the global awards in which Chile will also participate. 

“These achievements are an indication of the major efforts that we have undertaken to promote our tourist attractions. In that regard, our best advertisement is to showcase the incredible diversity on offer in Chile, including its extensive natural areas where visitors can enjoy unique experiences”, said Beatriz Román, director of the country’s National Tourism Service (SERNATUR). 

In addition to thanking those who voted for Chile, she also invited tourists to “keep discovering the wonders that Chile has to offer, and to vote for the country in the global nominations”, which will be announced by the World Travel Awards in the coming days. 

The WTA have been held every year since 1993 to reward the best tourism products and destinations in South America and the world.

Why invest in tourism in Chile? 

The country’s natural attractions and global recognition are just some of the reasons for investing in the tourism industry in Chile. Business opportunities also include: 

  • Development of new areas of sustainable tourismwith infrastructure investment potential: marine tourism, business tourism, astrotourism and ecotourism.  
  • Design andimplementation of technology platforms aimed at improving and diversifying the range of tourism products and services in Chile.  
  • Business opportunities in new services for established tourist attractions with high levels of demand.
  • Development of business tourism in the MICE sector (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions) in one of the majoreconomic capitals in Latin America. 

Chile is not just a great tourism destination. It also presents significant business and investment opportunities. To learn more, please read the following article. 

Source: Chile Travel and Emol