Torres del Paine National Park

Chile: The World's Leading Green Destination 2023

Image: Sky Airline
Image: Sky Airline - Paine Mountains
 This is the second consecutive time that the country has received the recognition granted by the World Travel Awards. In 2019, 2020, and 2022, Chile also received the international prize. Since 2015, Chile has received a total of 30 awards from the WTAs, including the World's Leading Adventure Travel Destination for 6 consecutive years.

Chile is a country that has always been proud of its beauty and natural diversity. From the driest desert in the world to the glaciers of Patagonia, from the Andes Mountains to the Pacific coast, Chile offers a range of unique and breathtaking landscapes and ecosystems. But Chile is not only a destination for nature lovers, it is also a leader in green tourism and sustainability.

For the second time in a row, Chile has been named World's Leading Green Destination by the World Travel Awards (WTA), the most prestigious recognition in the global travel industry. The WTAs, also known as the Oscars of Tourism, are based on a popular vote that evaluates the quality and excellence of tourism products and services around the world. Chile competed with other renowned green destinations such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, Finland, Norway, Rwanda and Slovenia. The Grand Final Gala Ceremony took place at  the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.


Reasons for the Award

The recognition reflects Chile's commitment to protecting its natural heritage and promoting responsible tourism practices. Chile has implemented several initiatives to conserve its biodiversity, reduce its carbon footprint, support local communities and educate visitors on environmental issues. Some of these initiatives include:

* Creating new marine protected areas and expanding existing ones, covering more than 40% of its exclusive economic zone.

* Developing a network of national parks covering 21% of its territory, including the Patagonia Parks Route, a scenic route connecting 17 national parks over 2,800 kilometers.

* Implement a carbon tax and encourage renewable energy sources, reaching 45% of its electricity generation from clean sources by 2023.

* The adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency.

* Support indigenous tourism and community-based tourism projects that empower local people and respect their culture and traditions.

* Implement a national sustainable tourism certification system that recognizes hotels, tour operators and destinations that meet environmental, social and economic standards.

* Educate tourists on how to travel responsibly and minimize their impact on nature, through campaigns such as "I care for Chile" and "Leave no trace".

* The education and awareness campaigns to encourage visitors and locals to respect and conserve the natural resources and cultural heritage of the country.

* Chile offers a wide variety of activities for thrill-seekers, such as hiking, biking, skiing, surfing, rafting, kayaking, scuba diving, paragliding and much more. 

* Chile also has some of the best places in the world to observe wildlife, such as penguins, whales, dolphins, flamingos, condors, pumas and guanacos.


If you are looking for a destination that combines nature, adventure and sustainability, Chile is the perfect choice for you. Chile invites you to discover its wonders and enjoy its hospitality, while respecting its environment and supporting its development. Chile is more than a country, it is a green experience.

By choosing Chile as the World's Best Green Destination 2023, the World Travel Awards have recognized Chile's efforts and achievements in creating a tourism model that is sustainable, inclusive and innovative.

In the 2023 edition, Chile also won the categories of Best Romantic Destination and Best Adventure Tourism Destination in South America.

According to the Chile Travel website, these are the places that made the Chilean nation win the award for the Best Green Destination in the world:

* Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve
* Cape Horn National Park
* Comunne of Futaleufu
* Cochamó Valley
* Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park 

Other great icons of tourism that cannot be left unmentioned are:
 
* Easter Island, a mysterious and mystical destination that showcases the rich heritage of the Rapa Nui people and their iconic moai statues.

* The Atacama Desert, a unique ecosystem that is home to geysers, salt flats, volcanoes and starry skies, as well as indigenous communities that preserve their culture and ancestral traditions.

* The Chiloé archipelago, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a focus of biodiversity, where colorful wooden churches, palafittes and local cuisine create an enchanting atmosphere.

* The Carretera Austral, a scenic route through Chilean Patagonia that offers access to virgin forests, lakes, rivers and fjords.

* Santiago, the capital of Chile, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers a variety of attractions for visitors. Whether you are interested in history, culture, nature, or modernity, you will find something to enjoy in the South American metropolis. 
 

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