Argentinian visitors drive up Chile tourism figures

International tourist arrivals to Chile reached a historic high last year with 5.64 million visitors in 2016.

According to data provided by the research division of the tourism department, tourism grew by 26 per cent from 2015.

In 2016, most international tourists came from Argentina, a 49 per cent boost from the previous year (2.9 million entries).

Meanwhile, tourism from Europe increased by nine per cent, totalling 449,667 visitors.

The European market provided the greatest influx of travellers to Chile, 41,523 tourists came from Italy, a 24 per cent rise from the previous year.

Tourism from England increased by 11 per cent, totalling 51,611 visitors; the rate of arrivals from France also grew by 10.2 per cent, with 77,129 visitors.

Arrivals from Spain rose by 6.3 per cent with 77,987 arrivals.

Among the other important tourism markets for Chile, the United States is noted for 208,000 arrivals, representing a 12 per cent growth rate; as well as Australia, from which Chile received 50,968 visitors, indicating an 11 per cent increase.

Significantly, Chinese tourism has spiked by 49 per cent, closing out 2016 with 22,992 arrivals.

Foreign revenue from tourism is projected at a total of USD $3.1 billion.

This figure corresponds to an eight per cent increase as compared to revenue from 2015.