Within the framework of the inauguration of the “Chile, an infinite journey” walkway at the international terminal of the Santiago Airport, the Undersecretary of Tourism, Verónica Pardo, the national director of Sernatur, Cristóbal Benítez, and the general manager of Nuevo Pudahuel, Nicolas Claude, presented the figures for the arrival of foreign tourists to the country.
In January 2025, the arrival of foreign tourists to Chile increased by 67.3% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 846,821. Compared to 2023, the variation is +77.3% and compared to 2019 it is +35.4%. The order of nationality with the highest participation of arrivals was Argentina (61.2%), Bolivia (7.5%), Brazil (6.3%), Peru (4.1%) and the USA (3.7%).
For the Undersecretary of Tourism, Verónica Pardo, “the January figures are the first sign of consolidation in what we consider will be the year of tourism in Chile. The modification of our projections are good signs for the economy and our industry since they reflect an increase that will be between 38% and 49%. This growth not only has a positive impact on the tourism industry, but also strengthens the national economy, with a greater income of foreign currency and a boost to trade and services associated with the sector.”
The Undersecretary added that “those who have visited us the most are Argentines, with a preference for destinations such as Santiago Urbano, Viña del Mar-Concón, Valparaíso and La Serena-Coquimbo, highlighting a significant expenditure on shopping (26.3% of their total budget), followed by restaurants and accommodation. Meanwhile, Brazilian tourists generated a similar economic impact, with a spending on shopping of 13.3%, reflecting a diversified consumer behavior.”
In January, 517,976 tourists arrived from the Andean country alone, which represented a year-on-year variation of 151.8% compared to 2024 (205,678), and 92.4% compared to 2019 (269,245).
January, like December 2024, exceeded expectations, so, incorporating these positive results, the forecast for foreign tourist arrivals was once again adjusted upwards. For this 2025 Summer Season, between 2.5 million and 2.7 million foreign tourist arrivals are projected, that is, an increase of +38% and +49% compared to the 2024 Summer Season.
At the level of relevant markets with respect to 2024, January presented positive growth rates in Bolivia (41.0%), Peru (5.8%) and the USA (1.7%). Compared to 2019, the following stand out: the United States (+7.5%); Uruguay (+14.8%) and Mexico (+22.2%).
The national director of Sernatur, Cristóbal Benítez, highlighted the performance of strategic markets: “All the work we have done in recent years through the international marketing plan is consistent with the figures we are releasing, where we have defined strategic markets that have been consolidated, such as Brazil and the United States, which continue to be among the top five countries that visit our country the most. Likewise, the European market, which is indeed one of the markets that we have been recovering, and which during January showed an 11% growth compared to the same period in 2024.”
On the other hand, the authority pointed out that, “border markets are presented as strategic markets for all regions of our country, for all destinations in Chile and that is something that we highlight in our international marketing plan and that is also consistent with what has happened this summer.”
Regarding the main entry routes into the country, the C. Arturo Merino Benítez Airport was the one that registered the highest number of foreign tourist arrivals in January of this year, with a share of 25.4% (215,015). It is followed by the Cristo Redentor (Los Libertadores) System with 24.6% (208,263), Cardenal Antonio Samoré with 7.7% and Colchane with 5.0%.
Chile, an infinite journey
“Chile, an infinite journey. The textures of water” is the name of the project located in Terminal 2 of the Santiago International Airport, which was inaugurated by the Undersecretary of Tourism, the national director of Sernatur and the general manager of Nuevo Pudahuel, which seeks to immerse travelers in the natural wealth of Chile through its waters.
In this regard, the general manager of Nuevo Pudahuel, Nicolas Claude, stated that “as an Airport we are working on enabling more areas that will allow the dissemination of Chilean identity, the beauty of Chile and its landscapes, so that more people can appreciate them and continue to make a country that has so much to offer the world proud. This is of utmost relevance when we are at a historic level of traffic, which allowed us to close 2024 with 26.2 million passengers. The trend is repeated in January, which had 2.6 million passengers, 6% more than the same month in 2024.”
The project consisted of installing large-size images with explanatory texts, together with the intervention of the glass of the access corridors using a translucent material whose graphics represent Chile from north to south. Through this action, the airport spaces are transformed into a sensory experience that reflects the diversity and majesty of the country's aquatic ecosystems.
The photographic exhibition highlights Chile's various bodies of water, from the vastness of the Pacific Ocean to the majestic glaciers of Patagonia, passing through the mighty rivers and crystal-clear lakes of the south. These images, captured by leading Chilean photographers, offer a unique view of the country's water wealth.
In the glass intervention, Chile has been interpreted through a grid that runs through the country from north to south, starting with yellow tones and evolving towards blue, symbolizing Patagonia and its ice. In addition, through QR codes, travelers will be able to access additional information and tourist data on Chile's most iconic destinations.
Source: SERNATUR.