MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Most foreign tourists this summer opted for Santiago

Most foreign tourists which arrived in Chile this 2008 summer chose the capital Santiago and its surroundings as the main attraction to visit. Most of the 750.000 tourists came from Argentina, Brazil and United States, according to Sernatur, Chile's Tourism Office.

Santiago "trapped" 46.8% of all tourists followed by Valparaíso-Viña del Mar, 36.3%; Arica, 15%; Puerto Montt-Puerto Varas-Parque Nacional Rosales-Lago Llanquihue, 12.6% and La Serena-Coquimbo-Valle del Elqui-Vicuña 10.5%. As to the number of tourists, 750.000, this represents an increase of 13.6% over the same period in 2007 and the 417 million US dollars, an 11% greater money inflow. Argentine tourists totaled 300.00, up 23.9% over 2007; Brazil, 51.000, up 32.3%; United States 62.386, up 16.4%; Germany, 23.571, up 5.4%; Spain, 12.295, up 11% and France, 15.582, up 15.2%. A majority of Argentines chose to stay in Valparaíso-Viña del Mar, 40%; Santiago and surroundings, 28.6%; La Serena-Coquimbo, 12.1% and other areas along the coast next to Valparaiso, 11.7%. Brazilians opted for Santiago, 82.1%; Valparaiso-Viña del Mar, 59% and 12.6% Puerto Montt-Puerto Varas. Regarding European tourists they also preferred Santiago and surroundings, 69.5%. A lesser percentage Valparaiso-Viña del Mar 35.6%; Puerto Montt-Puerto Varas-Parque Nacional Pérez Rosales-Llanquihue, 22,5%; Punta Arenas –Torres del Paine, 16,1%; Calama-Valle de la luna-San Pedro-Géiser del Tatio, 13,8% and La Serena-Coquimbo-Valle del Elqui 13,7%.