MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

On line booking system for hostels in Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile is experimenting with an on line booking system for hostels and home lodgings which should be fully operational by next mid January, reports the local press.

The Central de Reservas On Line should help improve the image of Punta Arenas as a tourism destination and facilitate potential visitors, particularly from overseas, to have an idea of conditions, facilities and prices of lodging they can expect in the city. The initiative from the local Association of Hostels and Residential Owners was begun to be elaborated last December and was partially financed by the European Union, Chile's Tourism Office and the municipality of Punta Arenas. The total cost is estimated in the range of 18.500 US dollars. According to the Association the system should be fully operational by January 18. All 43 members will have their services on line by then. "The link www.hostalespatagonia.clwill enable foreign tourists to make bookings directly and request further information which we hope we will be prepared to give them", said Jorge Alvarado Ojeda head of the Association of micro entrepreneurs. Local statistics indicate that 90% of Punta Arenas tourists visit wildlife destinations in the region with an average stay of four to five days and daily spending of 55 US dollars compared to the 24 US dollars for Chilean visitors.