MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile promotes nudism-naturism tourism; holds regional conference in 2012

The nudism and naturism movement in Chile will soon be in the international spotlight, as the country was recently named headquarters for the Latin American Nudism-Naturism Conference, scheduled for March 2012.

“This nomination allows us to promote Chile as a destination for the tourism business, just as we have focused campaigns in Latin America and Europe,” said Carolina Bugmann, head of the Chile Convention Bureau, which is part of the private business Turismo Chile.

Over 5,000 people have registered with Chile’s Nudism-Naturism Association, headquartered in the Luna beach area near Valparaíso.

“The development of international tourism meetings also brings other benefits, as promotional efforts have a multiplying effect and generate jobs and businesses, on top of additional spending by tourists,” Bugmann said.

The Latin American Nudism-Naturism Conference will feature various trekking and hiking competitions, in addition to more typically passive activities like beach-going. Organizers are currently looking to attract businesses to sponsor the event.

“We have a lot of work to do for the summit, because we’re interested in every type of request so that Chile remains on a good foot,” explained René Rojas, who has been president of the Chilean Nudism-Naturism Association for the last 12 years.

According to Rojas there is no single type of person who is interested in the nudism and naturism movement. Professionals and large families alike are equally prone to participation, but what counts most is a desire to connect more closely with nature.

By Alison Silveira – Santiago Times