MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Joint Patagonia tourism promotion.

Heads of town governments from Magallanes Region in Chile and the Argentine provinces of Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego signed this week in Punta Arenas a Patagonia South-to-South integration agreement with the purpose of improving links and promoting the area overseas.

The ceremony in Punta Arenas Town Hall was headed by the governor of Magallanes Region Jaime Jelincic, mayor of Punta Arenas Juan Morano and mayor of Rio Grande Jorge Martin.

Delegations from several Commerce and Tourism Chambers of the different cities represented also participated in the event.

Mr. Martin from Rio Grande said that the Patagonia integration project must "in the near future become a free trade area".

Punta Arenas mayor pointed out that the agreement was the framework for a joint development of the area which must be led by the private sector and entrepreneurs from both countries, "particularly the promotion of the tourism industry".

The project also contemplates other areas for joint strategic development such as trade, industry, environment and conservation, science and technology.

Among the first challenges are organizing and promoting tourist packages covering both sides of Patagonia, and sponsoring environment conservation classes at school level.