Chile did it again! For the fourth consecutive year our country won the category “Best Adventure Tourism Destination in South America” in the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2018, also known as the “Tourism Oscars”.
In the distinction, Chile managed to position itself on countries that are icons of tourism, such as Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay and Argentina. An honorable first place that places us in the race for the world competition for the title of “Best Adventure Tourism Destination” on the planet, a title already obtained in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
In addition, and for the first time, the Atacama Desert was crowned as the “Most Romantic Destination of South America” in the WTA, a category that was disputed vote by vote with Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Galapagos Islands (Ecuador). Finally, the vote defined our desert as the favorite for a couple vacation.
ATTRACTIONS AND EXPANSION OF THE TOURISM SECTOR
For the Undersecretary of Tourism, Monica Zalaquett, “this award ratifies the growing recognition that our country is having internationally as a tourist power, which is due both to our multiple attractions as well as the efforts we, as a government, are making to attract more visitors every day. This is a virtuous industry and with great impact on the economy. In fact, it is currently the fourth largest exporter of goods, contributing 3.4% of Chile’s Gross Domestic Product.
The National Director of Sernatur, Andrea Wolleter, said that “it is an honor to be recognized for Chile’s competitive advantages, such as the diversity of landscapes, unexplored nature, extreme experiences and the warmth of our people. All characteristics that in 2017 managed to attract more than 6 million foreign tourists to Chile, 14.3% more than in 2016, and that we are sure will also lead us to be the winners worldwide in Adventure Tourism”.
Similarly, the deputy executive director of Imagen de Chile, Jorge Cortés, explained that “this distinction puts us once again in a privileged showcase to promote our country’s brand and continue projecting abroad that we are a territory of extremes, singular and diverse, capable of captivating with multiple experiences. This award, which is the result of work at the public-private level, favors our reputation and adds to other recognitions that have praised the captivating landscapes of the desert, Patagonia, our varied gastronomy and nightlife, to mention a few aspects”.
The 25th edition of the World Travel Awards for Latin America was held on September 15 at the Palacio de Cristal in Guayaquil, Ecuador, which was chosen as the venue for the 2018 version. Representing Chile, the consul general of our country in Ecuador, Rodrigo Hume, attended the ceremony.
The ‘Tourism Oscars’ seek to promote and develop the travel industry and global tourism, rewarding the excellence and diversity of their offer, making the winners of these awards acquire a showcase of international prestige.
For now, our country is expected to enter the global competition to maintain the two awards as “Best Adventure Tourism Destination”, which has already won for two consecutive years. Voting opens on September 24th, everyone to vote!
