Adventure Tourism in Chile: Bill to strengthen safety standards advances to the Senate

The Chamber of Deputies approved this Wednesday, by 115 votes to 10, a bill seeking to strengthen safety in adventure tourism activities in the country (Bulletin No. 17,163-03). The initiative, which will now continue its course in the Senate, establishes stricter measures to ensure that these types of services meet high safety and quality standards.

One of the main changes is the institutionalization of the R Seal, which will become a mandatory requirement for all adventure tourism providers. This seal will officially certify that the company complies with the law and safety regulations, and must be visible so that it can be easily identified by tourists and users.

To obtain it, companies must undergo a verification conducted by a specialized agency, which will assess whether they meet established standards. This review is distinct from the inspections conducted by Sernatur, but the two complement each other: while the technical verification certifies the service, Sernatur will be able to strengthen its oversight efforts with more and better field operations.

The law also increases penalties for those who fail to comply with the regulations, with higher fines and the power to temporarily or permanently close services that do not comply with the rules. Furthermore, it establishes deadlines for implementing these measures: the regulations for the law must be drafted within a maximum of 12 months, defining how the R Seal will be applied according to the risk level of each activity and how frequently it must be renewed.

Undersecretary of Tourism Verónica Pardo praised the approval of this bill in the Chamber of Deputies, saying, "It is a milestone for the sector, because for the first time, amendments are being introduced to the Tourism Law with a focus on personal safety. This is a clear sign that as a country, we want those who practice adventure tourism to do so with the confidence that there are clear, verifiable, and enforceable standards. Furthermore, this step reinforces the State's commitment to responsible tourism, where the quality of the experience and safety always go hand in hand."

For Sernatur's national director, Cristóbal Benítez, this ratification by the Chamber marks a decisive step because "this progress, which has had cross-sector support, is part of the consolidation of the efforts we have promoted at Sernatur in recent years to strengthen safety: from the creation of a Program for the Regulation of Tourism Services, the incorporation of new types of adventure tourism activities into the National Registry, verification under safety management requirements and the updating of technical standards, to the development of the first technical standard for bungee jumping."

With this modification, Chile seeks not only to offer unique adventure tourism experiences, but also to protect those who enjoy them, ensuring that the activities are carried out under reliable and regulated conditions.

Source: SERNATUR.