For the seventh time, Chile has been crowned the best adventure destination on the planet at the World Travel Awards

Chile consolidates its leadership in adventure tourism after winning the world's top award. This is the seventh time the country has been named World's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination at the World Travel Awards, a recognition that highlights leading destinations that offer outstanding activities and environments ideal for travelers seeking nature, excitement, and high-level outdoor experiences.

The award was presented to the national director of Sernatur, Cristóbal Benítez, at the grand final ceremony held at the Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) in Bahrain, one of the most important convention and exhibition centers in the Middle East.

According to Undersecretary of Tourism Verónica Pardo, “receiving this award—in which Chile stands out for the seventh time as a leader in adventure tourism—fills us with pride and confirms the unique magic of our country. Adventure tourism is one of the strategic pillars of Chile's tourism positioning. Its importance is reflected in the National Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2035, which recognizes it as a key tool for generating profound and positive impacts on host communities and local economic development, always under principles of sustainability.”

The "Oscars of tourism" have once again positioned our country as a global leader for immersive nature experiences and interaction with local communities, thanks to the country's diverse geography and robust tourism offerings available from north to south. In this way, Chile consolidates its position as an international benchmark for those seeking unique experiences amidst nature, from the driest desert in the world to the southern glaciers.

“This award confirms that Chile is synonymous with adventure and that we continue to be a globally recognized destination for the diversity of our landscapes and the quality of the experiences available in the country. Furthermore, it consolidates the work that Chile has carried out for years: hosting the ATTA Adventure Travel World Summit and holding the South American title 11 times since 2015 demonstrates the maturity of our industry in terms of innovation, sustainability, and professionalization. Today we show the world that our country is ready to continue growing in adventure tourism,” highlighted the National Director of Sernatur, Cristóbal Benítez, after receiving the award in Bahrain.

Receiving this recognition strengthens Chile's image in global tourism markets and helps attract more visitors interested in nature, sports, and the outdoors. The distinction will be a strategic tool for bolstering the international promotion of Chilean destinations and positioning the country in a segment where it has demonstrated sustained leadership for a decade.

A decade of global leadership
This year, the Best Adventure Tourism Destination award returns to Chile, marking a full decade of leadership in this area, since we first won this recognition at the World Travel Awards in 2016.

In the last ten years, Chile has won this recognition seven times: six times consecutively between 2016 and 2021 and now in 2025.

In this year's competition, Chile left behind Japan (Asia), Saint Lucia (Caribbean), Costa Rica (Central America), Huesca, Spain (Europe), Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (Middle East) and New Zealand (Oceania), who had won their respective continental competitions.

In the last ten years, Chile has won 11 awards in the global competition: 7 for Best Adventure Tourism Destination and 4 for Best Green Destination.

World's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2016.
World's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2017.
World's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2018.
World's Leading Green Destination 2019. World's
Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2019. World's
Leading Green Destination 2020. World's Leading
Adventure Tourism Destination 2020. World's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2021.
World
's Leading Green Destination 2022.
World's Leading Green Destination 2023.
World's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2025.
In addition, at the South American level, Chile has obtained 30 awards since 2015, totaling 41 statuettes at the World Travel Awards.

With this new recognition, Chile reaffirms its global leadership in adventure tourism and renews its commitment to continue moving towards a more sustainable, inclusive tourism linked to the development of the communities that give life to its destinations.

Source: SERNATUR.