Chile celebrated World Tourism Day with a great gastronomic festival

With the aim of promoting sustainable and responsible tourism, Chile celebrated World Tourism Day 2024 with a great gastronomic exhibition at the Festitur tourism fair, in addition to a series of regional activities that took place during the week to highlight the richness and diversity of its destinations.

The gastronomic exhibition was held in collaboration with various culinary schools that are part of the Chile, I want to eat table of the Chilean Gastronomy Association (ACHIGA) and was based on preparations from five geographical areas of the country: Norte Grande, Norte Chico, Zona Centro, Zona Sur and Zona Austral, with the aim of establishing a culinary narrative through characteristic dishes of Chile.

The event was led by sector authorities, the Undersecretary of Tourism, Verónica Pardo, and the National Director of Sernatur, Cristóbal Benítez, who highlighted the importance of tourism as a driver of economic and social development for local communities. They also emphasized the country's commitment to sustainable tourism practices that allow preserving the environment and improving people's quality of life.

The Undersecretary of Tourism, Verónica Pardo, said that “this day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements we have made as a country in the reactivation of tourism. So far this year, we have received almost 3 million foreign tourists, a figure that reflects the efforts of the entire industry. Chilean gastronomy, in addition to being an essential part of our identity, is a great driving force for attracting visitors from around the world. That is why, at events like this, we not only showcase our natural and cultural wealth, but also the quality and diversity of our flavors. Each dish is an invitation to discover Chile and a way to consolidate ourselves as a unique and sustainable destination on a global level.”

Sernatur director Cristóbal Benítez said that “this celebration of World Tourism Day is a platform for dialogue that we must not waste, to materialize the potential that tourism has for the development of territories and their communities. We believe that a good dialogue can take place around a good table, which is why this year the celebration was accompanied by gastronomy. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy and reflect on the positive impact of a strategic economic activity such as tourism.”

This year, the theme of World Tourism Day, established by UN Tourism, was Tourism and Peace, to emphasize that tourism is a key factor in promoting peace and mutual understanding among peoples. In this sense, the events of the tourism week became spaces for meeting and celebration, where attendees could enjoy a unique and enriching experience.

Source: SERNATUR.