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| National Tourism Service (Chile) | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Servicio Nacional de Turismo |
| Native name | Servicio Nacional de Turismo (SERNATUR) |
| Formed | 1978 |
| Jurisdiction | Chile |
| Headquarters | Santiago |
| Parent agency | Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism (Chile) |
National Tourism Service (Chile) The National Tourism Service of Chile, commonly known by its Spanish acronym SERNATUR, is the statutory agency charged with coordinating tourism policy, promotion, and development across Chile. Established to align national priorities with regional planning, SERNATUR interacts with ministries, municipal authorities, and international bodies to support destinations such as Patagonia, Easter Island, and the Atacama Desert. Its activities bridge national strategy with sector stakeholders including Cámara Nacional de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo (CNC), Fedetur, and local tourism associations.
SERNATUR was founded in the late 20th century during an era of institutional reform influenced by initiatives in Organization of American States programs and directives from the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism (Chile). Early projects connected SERNATUR with regional efforts in Magallanes Region, Los Lagos Region, and Arica y Parinacota Region while aligning with international events like Expo 1998 (Lisbon) and collaborations with UNWTO. Over decades SERNATUR adapted to crises such as the 2010 Chile earthquake and global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating recovery with agencies including Subsecretariat of Tourism and stakeholders in sectors such as the Chilean Hotel and Restaurant Association. Its evolution reflects policy dialogues with bodies like the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and regional planning organizations in Latin America.
SERNATUR operates through a national office in Santiago and regional offices across Biobío Region, Valparaíso Region, and Coquimbo Region, interfacing with municipal tourism units in cities such as Valparaíso, Concepción, Chile, and La Serena. The agency reports administratively to the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism (Chile) and coordinates with the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero, Dirección General del Territorio Marítimo, and heritage institutions like Consejo de Monumentos Nacionales. Its governance model includes advisory councils composed of representatives from Fedetur, Codelco-linked development programs, academic partners such as Universidad de Chile and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and regional tourism boards. Specialized units handle research, quality certification, emergency response, and promotional campaigns linked to events like Festival de Viña del Mar and sporting gatherings with Chilean Olympic Committee involvement.
SERNATUR's mandate covers destination management for areas like Torres del Paine National Park, Rapa Nui National Park, and coastal corridors linking Valparaíso to Viña del Mar; quality assurance for services used by visitors to sites such as Chiloé Island and Valle del Elqui; and regulatory coordination with transport bodies including Dirección de Aeronáutica Civil (Chile) and port authorities in Punta Arenas. The agency oversees visitor information, licensing frameworks for guides in archeological zones like Rapa Nui archaeological sites, and safety protocols for adventure tourism around Cerro Castillo and Volcán Villarrica. It leads research collaborations with institutions like Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas (Chile) and supports standards used in certification programs recognized by UNWTO.
SERNATUR runs regional development programs targeting rural tourism in Los Ríos Region, eco-tourism initiatives in Aysén Region, and wine tourism circuits in Valle del Maipo and Colchagua Valley. Initiatives include capacity-building workshops with organizations such as SERCOTEC and microcredit projects tied to CORFO to support small enterprises in coastal towns like Iquique and La Serena. Recovery programs after events like the 2015–2016 Chile drought and volcanic episodes deploy cross-sector coordination with emergency management bodies including Onemi. Educational outreach engages museums such as Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (Chile) and conservation NGOs like World Wildlife Fund for community-based tourism in biodiversity hotspots.
SERNATUR's marketing campaigns spotlight routes including the Carretera Austral, the Ruta del Vino, and destinations such as Easter Island and San Pedro de Atacama. Promotional partnerships link to national carriers like LATAM Airlines and event organizers for festivals such as Festival Internacional de la Canción de Viña del Mar and sporting events under Fédération Internationale de Football Association influence. The agency participates in trade fairs including FITUR, ITB Berlin, and World Travel Market, collaborating with tourism boards from Argentina, Peru, and Brazil to attract visitors and investment. Digital campaigns coordinate with cultural institutions like Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos and gastronomy promoters including chefs associated with Sebastián Piñera-era culinary diplomacy initiatives.
SERNATUR cultivates bilateral ties with foreign ministries of tourism in Spain, France, and United Kingdom and multilateral cooperation with UNWTO, World Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank. Domestic partnerships include municipal governments such as Municipality of Puerto Varas, regional governments like Gobierno Regional de Magallanes, and industry bodies such as Asociación Chilena de Gastronomía. It engages with conservation groups including CONAF and international conservation programs tied to UNESCO World Heritage Convention sites such as the Rapa Nui National Park listing.
SERNATUR produces statistics in collaboration with Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas (Chile) tracking arrivals to gateways like Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport and visitor nights in destinations including Antofagasta and Puerto Montt. Trends show growth driven by markets such as United States, Argentina, Brazil, China, and Germany before disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic impact assessments reference contributions to service sectors measured alongside indicators from Banco Central de Chile and employment data tied to hospitality employers like Hoteles O'Higgins. Monitoring includes metrics for sustainable tourism aligned with Sustainable Development Goals targets and UNESCO biosphere reserves such as La Campana National Park.