OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2026

Tourism is an important sector for the Chilean economy. Tourism directly contributed CLP 6.5 billion to the economy, or 3.3% of total GDP, in the last full year with available data (2019). In 2024, tourism-related industries employed 637 600 people, or 6.9% of total employment, an increase of 17 900 people compared to 2023. Tourism is Chile’s second largest export, with travel accounting for 27.0% of total service exports in 2024.

International tourist arrivals reached 5.2 million in 2024, following a 40.4% increase from 2023. The main Chilean inbound markets were Argentina (39.9%), Brazil (15.0%) and Bolivia (8.9%). In 2025, arrivals increased by a further 14.6%.

Domestic tourism is the backbone of tourism demand in Chile, generating 61.6 million overnight visitors in 2024. This was a 1.7% increase compared to 2023, reaching a new historical record.

The Undersecretariat of Tourism of the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism defines and co-ordinates public policies on tourism, with the co-operation of public and private actors in the sector, and the participation of civil society, to generate positive impacts for territories and local communities. It is responsible for the design and implementation of public policies, plans and national tourism strategies. The Committee of Ministers for Tourism and the Advisory Council for Tourism Promotion are the two main co-ordination and consultation mechanisms for tourism at the national and regional levels.

The National Tourism Service (SERNATUR) implements national tourism policies, plans and strategies, under the supervision of the Undersecretariat of Tourism. SERNATUR has regional offices in each of Chile's 16 administrative zones (Regions), presided over by a regional Director. It also has local tourism offices in some territories, such as Easter Island, San Pedro de Atacama, Chiloé and Puerto Natales.

Through Chile’s network of regional offices, SERNATUR co-ordinates activities with relevant actors in the tourism sector, such as the regional governments. These bodies oversee the higher administration of the regions and work collaboratively with other government agencies. Chile has a political-administrative division at the local level, with a total of 346 communes or municipalities. Of these, 309 have local tourism offices.

A total budget of CLP 55.7 trillion was allocated to the Undersecretariat of Tourism and the National Tourism Service in 2025. Of this amount, CLP 16 trillion was allocated to the National Regional Development Fund, which provides additional funding for tourism at the regional level, and approximately CLP 10 trillion was for the tourist attraction programme.

The National Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2035 provides a roadmap for the Chilean tourism sector and reflects the country's commitment to sustainable and productive development, considering tourism as an engine for economic growth in its regions. It seeks to respond to the current challenges facing the sector and prepare communities and tourist destinations for a more resilient and sustainable future. Decentralisation, inclusion, and equity are fundamental principles that guide this strategy, ensuring that all regions of Chile, according to their own characteristics, can benefit equitably from tourism development. Tourism intelligence and planning is another central theme, and the strategy promotes the use of data for better decision making, including through the development of a new data platform “MapaTurismo Chile” to provide better integration and availability of existing data (see box below).

Strengthening institutional frameworks and better defining tourism as a policy lever is a priority for Chile. This is being progressed through the continued updating of legislative procedures that aim to improve tourism promotion and management, including the Tourism Reactivation Bill and the Adventure Tourism Standard Bill. Key initiatives included in these bills are:

• The establishment of VAT refunds for foreign tourists and meetings and conference tourism

• The creation of a 1.25% accommodation tax for foreign tourists, including on bookings through digital platforms, that will contribute to the new International Tourism Promotion Fund, and

• An institutional modification that establishes the International Tourism Promotion Commission with public-private participation for better governance.

The Adventure Tourism Standard Bill not only seeks to elevate the quality, formality, and safety of the country's offerings, but also strengthen its inspection powers and increase penalties for non-compliance with safety standards and other regulatory obligations.

Chile is also seeking to protect its natural attractions and maintain continuity of the value chain in the face of global uncertainty through a green and resilient transformation of the tourism sector, focused on natural capital investment and inter-ministerial governance. This is being carried out through the implementation of two plans:

• Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Tourism Sector: Approved in November 2024, the Plan aims to strengthen the capacity of the tourism sector in Chile to address climate change through intersectoral co-ordination, preventive action in the face of climate events, minimising the negative impacts of the sector, and achieving greater adaptation and resilience of tourist destinations and services, integrating local communities and incorporating a gender perspective in all phases of development.

• Disaster Risk Management Plan for the Tourism Sub-sector: Approved in March 2025, the Plan seeks to establish a framework for the planning and implementation of strategic actions for disaster risk reduction associated with the mitigation and preparedness phases, through the co-ordination of resources and capacities for the tourism response.

Work is underway to promote the decarbonisation of the sector and the consolidation of environmentally responsible and profitable tourism. The recently created Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service established the legal framework for tourism activity in 22% of the national territory (Protected Areas). The Framework requires the tourism sector to actively contribute to the conservation and regeneration of biodiversity through the application of the natural capital approach and the valuation of ecosystem services in the sustainable management of tourism in these areas.

Improving connectivity can help to overcome the physical barriers that limit access and destination diversification. Co-ordinated action is being undertaken to ensure transport infrastructure is an enabler for the sector's sustainable growth through the improvement and expansion of air connectivity and the reduction of gaps in land connectivity. Work is underway to improve the national road network and close the gaps that currently impede or complicate access to certain areas with high tourism potential. This action is essential for the geographical de-concentration of tourist flows, enabling the development of destinations across the entire country.

Structural employment challenges are being addressed by increasing professionalisation and inclusion in the tourism workforce. Competency development and sector specialisation programmes are being promoted to raise the standard of tourism service. Simultaneously, measures are being implemented to combat informality and job temporality, including the design of specific incentives that facilitate talent retention, especially in tourism SMEs. Crucially, these employment policies have a strong inclusion component, seeking to reduce inequality and job security gaps with a particular focus on youth, women, and LGBTIQA+ individuals, ensuring that growth generates quality employment opportunities and is equitable for the territories. The tourism sector is also being encouraged to access existing economy-wide employment subsidies targeting young people and women.