MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Last year, 2.1 million foreign tourists visited Chile

Chile attracted 2.1 million foreign tourists in 2005, of which 900.000 were one day visitors from neighbouring countries such as Argentina, Peru and Bolivia which came mainly for shopping, reports the country's Tourism Office, Senatur.

Last year's 2.1 million tourists are estimated to have left in Chile 1.4 billion US dollars, including transport costs.

In the last five years (2001/2006) tourist number increases was led by Australia with 20.6%; Brazil, 20.1% and Canada 16.3%. Argentines were the only tourist influx to Chile which actually decreased, 7.3%.

Senatur estimates that a foreign tourist in Chile expends an average 503 US dollars per week, of which 30.7% for lodging; 24% for food, 23% shopping and the rest leisure, transport, travel agencies and communications.

A majority of foreign tourists, 60% arrived in Chile to spend their holidays concentrating their stay in the first and fourth quarters with an average 11.3 days stay and daily expenditure of 43.9 US dollars. Business travellers' average was estimated in 82.8 US dollars.

As to income from visitor, United States represented 199.5 million US dollars; Argentina 161 million and Brazil 114 million US dollars.

Chile's capital Santiago concentrates 52.3% of visits, Valparaíso, Viña and Reñaca, 37.5% and Arica, Putre and Chungurá 22.7%, indicates Senatur.