Chile was presented at ITB Berlin as a diverse destination and host of international events

Chile is participating in ITB Berlin, one of the most important tourism events on the global trade fair circuit, which is being held in the German capital from Tuesday to Thursday, March 6. This year, the country is presenting itself to the world as a global tourism epicenter, hosting various international events and welcoming thousands of visitors who will be able to experience Chile's spectacular natural landscapes and tourist attractions.

Undersecretary of Tourism Verónica Pardo explained that Chile is participating in ITB Berlin 2025 to continue positioning itself in the international market, especially in Germany, which is an important source market for our country, with a number of arrivals that confirms its international popularity as a tourist destination.

“In 2024, we managed to welcome 5,239,233 foreign tourists, representing a 40.4% increase compared to 2023 and a 15.96% increase compared to 2019. Long-distance tourists are essential, not only because of the average length of stay in the country, but also because they promote cultural exchange and appreciation of our diversity. We are also committed to sustainable tourism that supports balanced development, protects ecosystems, promotes responsible practices, and creates real benefits for local communities,” the official stated.

The European market is a priority in Chile's strategy to promote its tourism destination, especially in Spain, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. For this reason, participation in international travel fairs is important to promote the unique attractions the country has to offer to foreign visitors and to meet partners in the travel industry.

In this regard, Sernatur's national director, Cristóbal Benítez, highlighted the importance of the European market for Chile, particularly the German market. The director explained that "last year, we recorded 440,380 European tourist arrivals, of which 66,599 came from Germany, making it the third country with the highest number of arrivals from the Old Continent. These figures reflect a sustained increase since 2023, a trend that has continued through the first month of 2025 with a twelve-month increase of +9.7%, so we are working to maintain this interest. To that end, we will be present at ITB with a large delegation, with the firm objective of strengthening commercial alliances between both countries."

Chile at ITB 2025
ITB Berlin is an innovative platform, at the forefront of the tourism industry since 1966. The travel trade fair and convention brings together the sector's leading players from around the world, both in person and online.

Over the three days of ITB Berlin, Chile will be represented by 23 co-exhibitors: six accommodations, fourteen incoming agencies, two cruise operators, and one car rental company. These national players will provide information and showcase the offerings of Chile and its various macroregions.

Chile's calling cards to the European market are its highly recognized macro-regions: in the north, the Atacama Desert, the Altiplano, the Chinchorro Heritage Route, and valleys ideal for astrotourism stand out; in the central region, Santiago, Valparaíso, and wine-producing regions; to the south, rivers, lakes, and volcanoes adorn the landscape; while in the southern region, glaciers and the famous Torres del Paine dazzle with their Patagonian beauty; and finally, the island region, with Rapa Nui and the Juan Fernández and Chiloé archipelagos.

Chile as a Host for International Events in 2025
Chile's popularity is reflected not only in its growing number of visitors but also in its attractiveness for international events. 2025 is a very special year for the country, as from October 13 to 16, the city of Puerto Natales, in Patagonia, will host the annual summit of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), which brings together tour operators, professionals, and adventure tourism experts from around the world. This event will attract more than 800 visitors from around the world.

Chile will also host the first UN Tourism Gastronomic Forum for the Americas, an event that will focus on local cuisine and is expected to bring together key global players and regional authorities. The date and location are yet to be confirmed.

In addition, other niche events will be held, such as the one in Viña del Mar, which will become the meeting point for barbecue lovers with the Intercontinental BBQ Championship 2025, which will host 80 teams from 40 countries.

Sernatur Director Cristóbal Benítez stated that "Chile will become a major platform in 2025 for promoting experiences and learning about the latest trends in the sector, which in turn will allow us to foster the exchange of best practices with a sustainable approach to national destinations. Furthermore, hosting important events will bring considerable tourism and economic benefits to our country, as we will welcome thousands of visitors."

Each of the events taking place during 2025 is essential to continuing to position Chile as an attractive and diverse destination.

Source: SERNATUR.