In this context, Travel2latam spoke with Verónica Pardo, Undersecretary of Tourism of Chile.
What have been the objectives of coming to WTM on this occasion?
First is to sustain a market, which is the space that we have been developing for many years. In particular we are developing a very important relationship with Brazil. It is one of the two main transmitters for us along with Argentina. Argentina has a particular characteristic and that is that half of its tourists cross to Chile to find beach and summer. And the other half is a more traditional, planned outbound tourism. If we talk about Brazil, its complete broadcast is planned.
Last year we updated the national marketing strategy and opened our country as an infinite journey, with five macro zones very different from each other. And in those five macro zones there is one that is known to the Brazilian, which is the strongest: the experience in snow and the Viñas Valley. What we have to show you is infinitely more than that. So it is good to support the Central Valley, which has more than 180 vineyards open to wine tourism. We want to show that the snow experience can be lived until the month of October further south of the country. That in an hour and a half you can be between mountain range and sea, and that in a single day you can make at least three vineyards.
There is a complete experience of the Central Valley that we have to give more width to. Then there is another area that Brazilians are asking for and it is the Northern Macrozone, which is the Chilean Altiplano, which is not positioned as a brand, but which exists and which goes together with San Pedro de Atacama; the most important romantic destination in Latin America for Brazilians.
And there is a whole new destination that is Valle and Las Estrellas. 70% of the planet's astronomical capacity is in the north of our country. This even allows some hotels to not have televisions inside their hotels so that people can go out and look at the stars. Astrotourism is done there.
And if we go south, there are two other tremendous areas that Brazilians have loved very much. One is the entire scenic route of rivers, lakes, and volcanoes. In that region we have good hot springs. And the other most extreme experience that is very little known is Antarctica, sub-Antarctic and Chilean Patagonia. There are 16 national parks in green areas, with a lot of glaciers and it is a destination that we are also beginning to position in Brazil.
Our gastronomy is also very good. The seafood is wonderful, and regarding the cold currents we have, it is something that is only experienced in our country. We also have a wonderful offer of wine and sparkling wine.
What is the situation of connectivity and meetings with airlines?
We are improving connectivity in more open countries. Our focus has been on Brazil. We are going to push for new flights to Latin America. We are increasing flights with Colombia, and have temporarily decreased some with the US.
Today we know that the smaller lines are doing interesting work because they are having negotiations to obtain closed rates with operators that allow them to sell tickets at a better price for tourist destinations in the south of our country, and that also allows them to make more offers. interesting. The airlines that fly within Chile and that are present at WTM are having very good conversations.
Furthermore, the opening of new flights has opened many possibilities for us. Buenos Aires-Concepción starts now, we also have Salvador de Bahía, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, which is a new market that opens us up to Goiás, which is a very interesting market in Brazil. We are entering at a firm pace, we have to push much harder to be able to have connectivity. 90% of our tourists enter through the sky, so connectivity is decisive for us.
Participation in this event is part of a global strategy. How is the year going for you?
We will continue attending the most important fairs in Europe and Latin America, that is permanent. We have a lot of tactical work in markets such as the US, Canada, Latin America: Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia. And when we talk about Europe, our greatest potential is in Spain, France, England and Germany. We are also working with Mexico and Colombia as emerging markets, which, due to connectivity, is allowing us to get closer.