Chile welcomed 431,000 passengers and crew in 2015-2016, the highest number since 2009
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Cruise ports in Chile welcomed 431,000 passengers and crew members in 2015-2016, the highest number since it hosted 455,000 cruise guests in 2008-2009.
Managed by the Corporación de Puertos del Cono Sur (Southern Cone Port Corporation), the country’s Ports handled 43% more passengers between October 2015 and April 2016, compared to 2014-2015.
The top three ports in terms of passenger numbers included Valparaíso, Punta Arenas and Puerto Montt, which handled 118,000 cruisers, 104,000 passengers and 99,000 cruise travellers, respectively. Other popular ports in Chile include Arica, Antofagasta, Easter Island and the Antartic.
“We want the local economy to benefit from the arrival of cruise ships and to encourage the passengers to not only get to know the destination, but experience local culture at the same time,” said Javiera Montes, Chile’s Undersecretary of Tourism.
Debbie Feldman, general manager of Turismo Chile, the institution in charge of promoting Chile’s destinations in international markets, said: “The plans of action for promoting Chile look to amplify the diversity of attractions that cruise ship tourists can enjoy in the cities they visit and surrounding areas. Chile has an enormous advantage thanks to its coastline, something which is constantly highlighted in international press.”