Chile sees 32.6% surge in tourist arrivals in first half of 2025
The majority of arrivals came from Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil
Chile welcomed over 3.1 million visitors during the first half of 2025, marking a 32.6 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to El Maipo, a partner of TV BRICS, citing figures from the National Undersecretariat for Tourism.
The majority of arrivals came from Argentina, accounting for more than 55 per cent of the total, followed by tourists from Bolivia and Brazil.
The Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago was the country’s main point of entry, receiving over 1 million arrivals. It was followed by key land crossings, including Los Libertadores, Cardenal Antonio Samore, Colchane, and Pino Hachado, which together facilitated hundreds of thousands of additional entries.
Tourism Undersecretary Veronica Pardo described the figures as evidence of the sector’s growing role as an economic driver. She emphasised the need to focus on sustainability, diversifying tourism offerings, and improving connectivity.
Photo: diegograndi / iStock
-
![]()
Tourism30.08.26Kyrgyzstan becomes world’s best destination for solo adventure travel in 2026 -
![]()
Tourism28.08.26Foreign tourist arrivals to Russia rise by 20% in first half of 2026 -
![]()
Tourism27.08.26Zimbabwe turns to sport as catalyst for tourism growth in Masvingo -
![]()
Tourism15.08.26Vietnam accelerates smart tourism with AI and digital services -
![]()
Tourism13.08.26Egypt welcomes Russia's decision to launch direct flights to Borg El Arab and El Alamein -
![]()
Tourism12.08.26Ghana records growth in tourism as international arrivals exceed 1.3 million
-
![Alisher Salomov]()
Alisher SalomovAdviser to the Chairman of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan"First and foremost, I would like to highlight the importance of this Central Asia–Russia initiative, because environmental problems know no borders, and only a shared understanding of these problems and the search for joint solutions can deliver positive results" -
![Joao Paulo Capobianco]()
Joao Paulo CapobiancoBrazilian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change"The BRICS countries have a very high level of responsibility because they share an important part of the world's biodiversity, landscapes, populations, food production and water resources. So, we have an opportunity to lead by example. We have our development bank, which can demonstrate and develop new ways of financing programmes. We can reduce the risks for private capital to invest in restoration and efforts to combat desertification" -
![Dilma Rousseff]()
Dilma RousseffPresident of the New Development Bank"India’s BRICS Presidency this year gives special significance to our discussion. NDB stands ready to be a trusted partner in turning commitments on sustainability, clean energy, smart and resilient infrastructure into concrete results on the ground. […] For NDB, mobilising private capital is a strategic imperative. Created by the BRICS founding members, NDB is a bank of the Global South, for the Global South, mandated to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development" -
![Sihasak Phuangketkeow]()
Sihasak PhuangketkeowDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand"BRICS can play a very important role in maintaining the free flow of trade and investment. The group can also be a vehicle for all of us to engage and to look at economic opportunities"
