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Importance of Tourism
Veronica Contreras
SPAN/110
May 30, 2016
Ernesto Ebratt

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In Chile, tourism is important because it accounts for five percent of the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP). Chile is also targeting tourism as the third most important sector
of the economy by 2020. Chiles industry for tourism has been built on the diversity of
natural landscapes like the moonscape deserts of Atacama to the fjords of the Patagonia.
Which have gave Chile a reputation as a premier adventure destination. Its high level of
infrastructure, security and stable governance have also been a key in making it an attractive
destination for tourist internationally and a distinguishing feature among other Latin
American countries. However, in 2010, an 8.8 earthquake threatened Chiles perception as
a safe destination by the attention of international media. But then capitalized on the
positive media from the rescue of the 33 trapped miners. Their plan was to also include
upgrading infrastructure in scenic regions like Arica, Easter Island and Antarctica. Chiles
National Tourism Service (Sernatur), had to come up with a balance between furthering
industry and fostering an image of sustainability. Sernaturs campaign aimed to expand on
eco and adventure tourism, fundamental elements of Chiles successful marketing
approach from the last decade, by creating a new environmental certification process. Part
of that approach will encourage small businesses and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry
to apply for certification to meet ecological standards. The campaigns priority markets
include Argentina, Brazil, the United States, Spain, Germany, England, and France. These
countries represent 65 percent of the tourism revenue. Its plan helps achieve the generation
of 40,000 direct jobs, 160,000 indirect jobs, and attracted up to four million foreign tourist
in 2015. Which all boils down to boosting its economy.
For Mexico, 8.2 percent of its GDP comes from tourism. Employment in Mexico is
also greatly dependent on tourism. Mexico has the eighth highest figure for the proportion

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of the workforce in tourism at 6.7 percent, of the thirty countries in the OECD
(Organization for Economic and Commercial Development). Mexicos most important
tourist destinations are, other than Mexico City, Cancun, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta,
Mazatlan, all resorts cities on Mexicos Pacific Coast; and Los Cabos, a sport fishing and
resort center at the end of the peninsula of Baja California. Along with Mexicos border
cities, these are important tourist attractions that are visited by residents in nearby U.S.
states. Especially the city of Tijuana. In 2012, tourism generated $12.7 billion in foreign
exchange inflows, a 10.5 percent increase from 2011. Tourism trails manufacturing, oil,
remittances and foreign direct investments at the nations biggest source of revenue. In
2013, Mexico invested 310 billion pesos ($23.3 billion US) in infrastructure.

References:

www.countriesquest.com/north_america/mexico/economy/tourism.htm

https://www.ecotourism.org/chile
www.theworldfolio/chile-puts-tourism-as-key-area-in-its-economic-development-

plans/3418
www.visitmexico.com/en/cultural-tourism-in-mexico