MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile targets a million visitors to thermal hot springs by 2015

A growing percentage of thermal hot springs visitors are from overseas

A new business association promoting Chile’s thermal hot springs hopes to bump visits up 12% to 1 million people by 2015. Last year only 700,000 people visited Chile’s hot springs, which exist in all corners of this mountainous, volcano-rich country.

The association, which was formed after several unsuccessful attempts, is composed of 16 companies, but might expand to 30 by the end of the year. The 16 companies account for 26% of Chile’s hot springs.

By 2011, the association is expected to have 120 members, including other tourism businesses that complement the hot springs, including the transportation sector, hotels, and restaurants. The number of hot springs in the organization is expected to rise to 30.

The objective of this business alliance is to boost tourism and promote hot springs in Chile though information in the internet. The association provides incentives for tourists, including discounts for large groups.

Most users of Chilean hot springs are Chileans, but nine percent are Europeans, three percent are from the U.S., and the remaining five percent come from other South American countries.

By Kara Frantzich – Santiago Times