MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Less Europeans travelling to Chile, more Chileans visiting the old continent

Lower value of the Euro is attracting overseas tourists

The number of Chileans travelling to Europe is up sharply, thanks to the lower value of the Euro – down 9.74% between January and February of this year – which makes travel to Europe more attractive.

Europe’s economic crisis in has affected countries there in a number of ways. Spain has lost enormous numbers of jobs as a result of a recession that has prompted a housing and real estate bust. May’s unemployment numbers soared to 4.6 million – or 20% of the nation’s workforce.

Chilean travel agencies report that the fall of the Euro have benefited Chileans who travel, but also means that Europeans are travelling less themselves.

The also note, however, that unemployment rates do not necessarily create travel-friendly environments.

Marcelo Perez, manager of development at Viajes El Corte Ingles, a Spanish travel agency, told El Mercurio that travel packages could cost up to 45% less than they did in January 2009.

At the same time, the range of activities accessible to Chilean tourists is broader and demand is growing. Enrique Primus, manager of the Europe account for Cocha, a leading Chilean travel agency, said that holiday sales for travel to the Continent are up by more than 35% when compared to sales made this same time last year.

The most popular destinations for Chileans are Madrid, Spain and Paris, France.

Viajes Falabella also reports that sales to both destinations are up in recent months.
Interestingly, the number of Chileans living abroad is also on the rise. While 850,000 Chileans were living overseas in 2005; estimates now put that number at around 2 million for 2010. This includes a sharp rise in Chileans living in Spain, from 5, 827 in 1998 to 20, 800.

By Alia Alhafny – Santiago Times