MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

News from Chile.

Headlines:
Chilean tourism turnover reaches a billion US dollars; Local company acquires Magallanes abattoir; Farewell to Punta Arenas air pioneer.

Chilean tourism turnover reaches a billion US dollars

Chile has rapidly become an attractive tourism pole with strong feedback from all the promotion campaign that have been launched both by the private and public sector, reads a report from the Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Council recently made public in Santiago. During the first nine months of 2003 the inflow of travellers to Chile increased 14,8% totalling 1,132,165 compared to the same period in 2002, and the outflow expanded 0,7% reaching 1,432,385. The increase is particularly intense in the third Q with a 33,2% jump for incoming passengers and a dramatic drop of 28,3% in outgoing tourists. "The strong tourism "surplus" is explained by the recovery of the Argentine economy and the successive increase in prices in that country. However an intensive promotion to keep Chileans at home, excellent communications, roads and railways are stimulating domestic tourist to vacation in Chile", argues the president of the Tourism Council, Gabriel Delano. Chilean tourist influx to Argentina was solid in January and February 2003 but since then has systematically dropped including for special and traditional occasions such as Holy Week (-7,5%) and July school holidays (-38%) , indicates the report. "The tourist industry in 2003 will represent above a billion US dollars and generate jobs for 200,000 people, and we expect those numbers to increase in 2004", said Mr. Delano who anticipated an interesting influx from Asia, particularly China. "Emerging countries in Asia represent 60% of global population and they are rapidly developing. Besides next year Chile will be hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, block and we're going to present ourselves as the Pacific gateway for Latinamerica". Finally Mr. Delano said that relatively cheap air fares from the US and the EU, plus the fact Chile has an ample tourism supply, including national parks with pristine fauna and flora "has turned us into an attractive and permanent destination".

Local company acquires Magallanes abattoir

Wool & Meat, Carnes de Patagonia, from Punta Arenas, finally acquired the Chilean government managed Sacor abattoir, one of the only two licenced to commercialise lamb and mutton to the European Union. The long disputed purchase was considered "excellent news" for Magallanes farmers and industry given the Chilean government's efforts to attract foreign investors. "The purchase of Sacor by a local company ensures free competition for the sheep industry, one of the basics of Magallanes", said Pablo Sapunar, president of the Magallanes Association of Farmers. Mr. Sapunar underlined the importance that local investors finally were able to take control of the abattoir. "Authorities were deaf to our claims, and they don't seem to care who comes to invest. I've always favoured foreign, outside investment, but for new endeavours, not to acquire those that are already running. Because they usually come, buy cheaply and then transfer earnings overseas. With this company we can be sure profits will remain in the Region, and that is something the authorities never wanted to admit", said Mr. Sapunar. The Regional Agriculture representative Juan José Romero stressed that with the acquisition of the abattoir by a local company, "this will benefit the whole production chain, besides offering jobs and boosting the "Sheep strategy" sponsored by the Chilean government". Mario Vega vicepresident of Magallanes Farmers Association and shareholder of Wool & Meat said the outcome of the operation was a great satisfaction but also a great challenge. "We're not actually prepared to take over the company right away, we'd like to see which are the pending contracts and price and cost structure, but anyhow it's a great achievement for farmers to have their own company. This ensures competition and transparency". Mr. Vega added that a few farmers, partners of Wool & Meat, know how the business works many have export experience so this means "there are no mysteries or secrets in the industry. "We must now concentrate in expanding to new markets, the EU is consolidated. We must target India, China, Japan and the US, taking advantage of the recently signed free trade agreement", emphasized Mr. Vega.

Farewell to Punta Arenas air pioneer

With an emotive over flight of DAP airlines several fixed wing units and a helicopter concluded this week the burial ceremony of Magallanes air pioneer Domingo Andrés Pivcevic in Punta Arenas cemetery. Descendent of Croatian immigrants Mr. Pivcevic was an active businessman all his life beginning as a store keeper in Puerto Natales. He then moved into farming and the construction industry. In 1957 he built the first seven stories building in downtown Punta Arenas which he named Victoria after his mother. Most villages in Magallanes have dwellings that were built by Mr. Pivcevic's companies. However it was road construction both in the continent and Tierra del Fuego that attracted him into commercial flying. Long distances and the need to closely monitor road building and the working gangs finally convinced him in 1980 to purchase a first Twin Otter. With former Chilean Air Force pilots and mechanics he started the DAP company, each letter representing the initial of his name (Domingo Andrés Pivcevic). In 1985 he was responsible for the first commercial flight to the Antarctic continent and in 1990 DAP began an air link with the Falkland Islands, and so resuming flights between the continent and the Islands for the first time since the war broke out. The air parade included two Cessnas, a Beechcraft King Air, Dash-7 and a B0-105 helicopter. Mr. Pivcevic is survived by wife Zdenka Rajcevic and two sons, Alex and Andrés.