Tourism has gone from being a social phenomenon to an economic activity that involves the production of diverse goods and services that satisfy the mobility of people around the different destinations that are favoured with the economic luxury of goods and culture, which allows for the improvement of inbound tourism and the contribution of foreign exchange to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The main positive economic impacts of tourism relate to foreign exchange earnings, contribution to public revenues, employment generation and business opportunities. In addition, tourism expenditure represents an injection of money into the local economy of a destination. These productive dynamics have made tourism a key driver of global socio-economic progress, according to data and analysis published in 2020 by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

In the same vein, a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicates that Tourism has again been identified as a key driver of economic recovery and growth.

On the other hand, according to the World Bank, tourism in Chile represents a direct contribution of 3.3% of GDP and 7% of employment, contributing more and more to the national economy in recent years.

According to the National Tourism Service (Sernatur) in December 2023, Chile received a total of 439,632 foreign tourists, which represented an increase compared to the same period in 2022, when it reached 376,948 tourists.

Taking into account the studies mentioned above, tourism in Chile has been picking up significantly. The Coquimbo Region, in particular, has stood out as one of the regions in northern Chile that has benefited the most from tourist arrivals, thanks to its numerous natural attractions and its growing hotel infrastructure. This recovery not only underlines the resilience of the Chilean tourism sector, but also the crucial role that promotional campaigns and the diversified offer of destinations play in revitalising the local and national economy.