The
number of tourist arrivals in Chile increased 15.9% in the first nine
months of the year (Jan/September) totalling 2.565.525, according to
the Federation of Tourism Enterprises, which represents “an
excellent accumulated growth”.
The
Federation also points out that in the third quarter, August was by
far the best month with a 26.9% increase over the same period in
2011, which in numbers meant 240.00 arriving tourists in a single
month.
Regarding
expenditure, the
report from the Chilean federation indicates
that in July/September 2012, tourists from the US and EU increased
their outlays by 6.7% and 6.1%, which are “clear signals of
recovery”.
However
in arrivals the big star was Australia with an increase in August of
the number of Australians visiting Chile of 65% and 41% in the nine
months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.
In
the ‘neighbourhood’ arrivals from Argentina, Colombia and Brazil
jumped 30%, 26% and 16% to September. However the Federation
Vice-president also points out that the Argentine influx must be
considered in their special circumstances.
“This
year the number of arrivals is made up of numerous but very brief
visits of Argentines who came to Chile for shopping or looking for
those goods they can’t acquire at home, which also means a minimal
use of our tourism potential”, cautions Eugenio Yunis.
Anyhow
in the first nine months of the year the number of Europeans and
Americans arriving in Chile increased 5% and 2%. “This means that
Chile retains its third place as the South American country which
receives most international arriving tourists behind Argentina and
Brazil”, concluded Yunis.
Source: Mercopress
Source: Mercopress
