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| Sernatur (Chile) | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Servicio Nacional de Turismo |
| Native name | Servicio Nacional de Turismo (Sernatur) |
| Formed | 1978 |
| Jurisdiction | Republic of Chile |
| Headquarters | Santiago |
| Minister1 name | Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism |
| Parent agency | Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism (Chile) |
Sernatur (Chile) is the national tourism office of the Republic of Chile, created to promote tourism development, coordinate public policy implementation, and foster international promotion of Chilean destinations. It operates within the framework of the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism and interacts with regional, municipal, and private stakeholders to support visitor services, destination marketing, and regulatory oversight. Sernatur’s activities span domestic promotion, international fairs, certification programs, and emergency response coordination for the tourism sector.
Sernatur was established in 1978 during the administration of Augusto Pinochet and the Military dictatorship (Chile) era, as part of broader economic reforms influenced by the Chicago Boys and policies associated with the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism (Chile). Its institutional trajectory intersected with democratic transitions under presidents such as Patricio Aylwin, Ricardo Lagos, and Michelle Bachelet, responding to events including the 1998 FIFA World Cup bids and the growth of international arrivals after the liberalization of air routes by carriers like LAN Airlines and LATAM Airlines. Sernatur adapted to global trends from organizations like the World Tourism Organization and participated in hemispheric forums led by the Organization of American States. Major milestones include campaigns tied to the designation of the Atacama Desert, Rapa Nui National Park, and Chiloé as focal destinations, and engagement with initiatives such as the Trans-Andean corridor projects and responses to crises like the 2010 Chile earthquake.
Sernatur reports to the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism (Chile) and coordinates with regional administrations including the Intendencia de Santiago and the Regional Government of Los Lagos. Its structure comprises a central office in Santiago, Chile and a network of regional Sernatur offices across regions such as Arica and Parinacota Region, Antofagasta Region, Atacama Region, Coquimbo Region, Valparaíso Region, Biobío Region, and Magallanes Region. The agency interfaces with municipal authorities like the Municipality of Valparaíso and sectoral bodies such as the National Tourism Service (Seremi) and industry organizations including the Chilean Hotel and Restaurant Association and the National Federation of Tourism Entrepreneurs. Leadership positions have been held by career public servants and political appointees connected to ministries and parastatal commissions like the Corporación de Fomento de la Producción.
Sernatur’s core responsibilities include destination marketing, tourism statistics, visitor information services, and coordination of safety protocols for tourists. It develops promotional strategies for attractions such as Torres del Paine National Park, Easter Island, Valparaíso, Chilean Patagonia, Lake District (Chile), and the Carretera Austral. The agency produces data in collaboration with the National Institute of Statistics (Chile) and the Central Bank of Chile for policy instruments affecting air connectivity with hubs like Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport and maritime gateways such as Puerto Montt. Sernatur also implements quality and certification schemes, aligning with international standards promoted by the World Travel & Tourism Council and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre where sites overlap.
Sernatur conducts promotional campaigns domestically and abroad, participating in trade shows such as the FITUR fair, ITB Berlin, and the World Travel Market. It develops thematic programs around adventure tourism in locations like San Pedro de Atacama and Pucón, wine tourism in the Colchagua Valley, culinary circuits including Valparaíso gastronomic offerings, and cultural routes connected to Mapuche heritage and Easter Island archaeology. Initiatives include sustainability efforts linked to Blue Flag beaches, certification aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and disaster preparedness projects with agencies like the National Office of Emergency of the Interior Ministry (ONEMI). Collaborative programs with NGOs such as Fundación Imagen de Chile and private consortia seek to increase arrivals from markets including United States, China, Argentina, Brazil, and Germany.
Regionally, Sernatur coordinates with neighboring country agencies including SERNATUR (Argentina), cross-border bodies linked to the Andean Community, and regional tourism organizations in the Pacific Alliance. Internationally, it liaises with the World Tourism Organization, participates in bilateral agreements with ministries such as the Ministry of Commerce of China and tourism offices like ProColombia, and works with aviation regulators such as the Civil Aviation Authority (Chile). Sernatur’s international offices and participation in consortia aim to attract markets from Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region while engaging with multilateral development banks such as the Inter-American Development Bank on infrastructure projects.
Sernatur is funded through the national budget appropriated by the National Congress of Chile and administered under the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism (Chile). Its budgetary allocations are subject to oversight by auditing entities like the Contraloría General de la República. Funds support promotional campaigns, regional offices, participation in fairs, and grants for product development coordinated with institutions such as the Corporación de Fomento de la Producción and regional development agencies. Governance mechanisms include strategic plans approved by ministerial authorities and performance metrics reported to the Presidency of the Republic of Chile and parliamentary committees.
Sernatur has faced criticism over allocation of promotional resources, perceived urban-centric marketing favoring Santiago, Chile and central regions over peripheral areas like Aysén Region and Arica and Parinacota Region, and debates about mass tourism impacts on fragile sites such as Torres del Paine National Park and Rapa Nui National Park. Environmental groups including Greenpeace and local indigenous organizations like Mapuche Conflict advocates have challenged policies on sustainability and community consultation, while economic commentators from outlets such as El Mercurio and La Tercera have scrutinized accountability and effectiveness. Controversies have also arisen around emergency responses after events like the 2015 Valparaíso fire and debates over public-private partnerships with multinational firms including large tour operators and airlines.
Category:Government agencies of Chile Category:Tourism in Chile