2030 FIFA World Cup, in South America?

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Julio Martinez Pradanos National Stadium, Santiago 
Image: prensafutbol.cl                                                  

    Santiago, February 15, 2019.- The Chilean President Sebastian Piñera, surprised by announcing that Chile, along with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, will present a joint bid to organize the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Although the election of FIFA to host the World Championship will be known by 2022, the announcement of President Piñera has generated positive comments from various economic sectors.

The Undersecretary of Tourism, Mónica Zalaquett, told EMOL that "major sporting events, such as the Olympic Games, Football Championships, Marathons and Car Races, have become powerful attractions for travelers, contributing very positively to the tourist image of the destinations that host those events". In this line, she mentioned that "the nomination of Chile as one of the organizers of the 2030 World Cup is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the bonds between Tourism and Sport. We must not forget that Sports Tourism currently mobilizes 25% of tourism in the world, so to host a World Cup is to position Chile not only as a venue for sporting events, but also as a tourist destination".

 

 

Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso Stadium in Coquimbo, Chile
Image: Radio Montecarlo FM

   Bernardita Silva, Research Manager of the Camara Nacional de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo (CNC), indicated that the realization of an event of this magnitude "coul be an engine" for the economy, and in particular for the sector, which was evident in the Copa America held in Chile in 2015.

"We saw it for the Copa America, there were positive results in Retail, Restaurants and Hotels. There is a multiplier effect for every foreigner who comes to the country, because for every dollar spent, that multiplies in our economy and also has a positive effect on employment, both in direct and indirect jobs created", said Bernardita Silva.

For his part, the Executive Vice President of the Federacion de Empresas de Turismo de Chile (Fedetur), Helen Kouyoumdjian, said that the realization of a World Cup "would have a positive impact everywhere" and also would place Chile in the orbit to host other important events. Kouyoumdjian added that although the capital Santiago is the best prepared city in terms of infrastructure and hotel capacity, the cities of Concepcion, Antofagasta, Valparaíso and Viña del Mar are also outstanding in this regard. "In these areas there is also a very good tourist facility, the infrastructure and accommodation levels are excellent to receive an international event".

 

 

German Becker Bicentenario Stadium of Temuco

   Finally, Kouyoumdjian said that now there should be a joint public and private work to begin planning what will be the candidacy of Chile. "In effect, the role of the private sector in an organization like this is key, then we must start working together from the first moment in a joint table, we will be from the start," she said. 

It should be noted that the infrastructure of the stadiums covers 35% at the time of choosing the venue and the remaining percentage is distributed on topics such as "accommodation, transportation, IT and telecommunications", according to FIFA.