El turismo sostenible avanza

Sustainable tourism has become a mantra for many in the travel industry, and thankfully so. In August, Chile’s first International Sustainable Tourism Congress was held in Puerto Varas drawing international speakers, travel experts, students and others to generate greater dialogue on the connections between travel and the environment. The organizers, Puerto Varas-based consultants Eco Sostenible (www.ecosostenibleconsultora.com), have quickly siezed on the momentum already spinning off a new initiative called “Green Meetings,” organizing regional meetings across Chile on sustainability topics.

According to Sernatur (Chile’s national tourism service), last year, 73 percent of foreign tourists decided to travel to Chile primarily to visit “green areas,” and the number one destination for about half of international travelers? Patagonia. In September, Sernatur released a “Sustainable Good Practices Manual” to help protect the country’s top tourism attractions. Said Fernando Ortuzar, regional director for Sernatur in the Los Lagos region: “The sustainability of tourism destinations is a reflection of coordinated work between all actors in the industry,” he said. “The market is recognizing and valuing the development of sustainable practices, and for that reason Sernatur is working to strengthen networks working to advance this objective.” sado 73% de los turistas extranjeros que visitaron Chile lo hacieron principalmente para conocer “áreas verdes”. ¿El principal destino de casi la mitad de los turistas internacionales? La Patagonia. En septiembre, Sernatur publicó un “Manual de Buenas Prácticas Sustentables” para ayudar a proteger las principales atracciones turísticas del país. “La sustentabilidad de los destinos turísticos es el reflejo de un trabajo coordinado entre todos los actores de la industria”, dice Fernando Ortúzar, director de Sernatur en la región de Los Lagos. “El mercado está reconociendo y valorando el desarrollo de prácticas sustentables, y es por eso que Sernatur está trabajando en fortalecer las redes de trabajo, para avanzar en este objetivo”.