Sernatur´s Domestic Tourism Programs generated an impact of more than $22 billion in the national territory in 2025

During the second edition of Horizonte VTE, an event organized by Sernatur to showcase the contribution of its Domestic Tourism programs to the sector, the institution highlighted that in 2025, the Senior Citizen Vacations (VTE), Study Tours, Family Tourism, and Women's Tourism programs mobilized more than 68,000 passengers across 56 destinations throughout Chile. These initiatives resulted in 230,413 overnight stays, generating an economic impact of over 22 billion pesos nationwide in 2025. The event also served as an opportunity to present the new offerings for the 2026 season and to highlight the opportunities available to tourism service providers in this area.

The event also kicked off the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Senior Citizens' Vacation program, which was created in 2001 as an initiative to boost domestic tourism during the low and mid seasons, while also seeking to promote the well-being of older people by facilitating their access to tourism.

In this regard, the Undersecretary of Tourism, María Paz Lagos, highlighted that the Senior Citizen Vacation Program “is a public policy that is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a pioneering program, which is even more relevant today. There is an opportunity for tourism, because the silver economy becomes an asset for the continued growth of this segment and for breaking the seasonality, because when we break the seasonality, we activate local economies and employment. Tourism gets moving.”

Meanwhile, the National Director of Sernatur, Cristóbal Benítez, emphasized that “programs such as Senior Citizen Vacations, Study Tours, Family Tourism, and Women's Tourism are a public policy that achieves a real impact on the region. They generate a double benefit: they boost the sector with year-round demand and guarantee preferential access to tourism for key segments of the population.” In this regard, he explained that “we have reduced tourism seasonality from 27% to 21% in many destinations across the country. We are talking about 56 destinations in 82 municipalities participating in our programs. In this way, we directly benefit more than 900 businesses and almost 3,500 indirectly, thanks to year-round tourism activity.”

With the launch of the Senior Citizen Vacation Program in 2001, Sernatur began developing a series of domestic tourism initiatives that, over the past 25 years, have addressed demand during the shoulder and off-seasons: Study Tours (2007), Family Tourism (2015), and Women's Tourism (2024). These programs have not only helped to reduce the seasonality of tourism but have also boosted local economies by serving priority segments such as senior citizens, families, students, and women.

New for the 2026 Season:
Finally, Sernatur announced the new features and opportunities that the Domestic Tourism programs offer this year, both for beneficiaries and tourism service providers. They also invited everyone to participate in the fourth edition of “Carnaval Mayor,” the family tourism event taking place on April 18 and 19 at the National Stadium Park. In addition to music, shows, and various surprises, the event will showcase the full range of tourism offerings from the service's Domestic Tourism programs, as well as new developments from various regions of the country.

Senior Citizen Holidays

Consolidation of the Sales Support System (SAVE).
Classic VTE tender and launch of the new season
Renewal of sales channel.
New "Southern Crossing" tour package, sailing through Patagonian fjords and a full-day trip to Torres del Paine and the Milodon Cave.
Projected sales of approximately 35,000 travel packages.
Study Tour

Study Tour Challenge competition awards ceremony.
Call for tenders and implementation of the program in Aysén and Magallanes.
Family Tourism

2026 Season Launch.
Projects the creation of approximately 8,900 travel packages.
Women's Tourism

National Women's Tourism Tender.
Launch of the new season and presentation of new destinations.
Projects the creation of approximately 4,500 travel packages.

Source: SERNATUR.