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| The Ventus Australis, a Chilean-built cruise ship, sailing through the Patagonian fjords. Image: Australis Cruises |
In September 2025, Chile once again stood out internationally, winning five major awards at the World Travel Awards (WTA), one of the most prestigious recognitions in the global tourism industry.
The Five Awards That Define Chile’s Tourism Excellence
Chile’s five titles at the World Travel Awards South America 2025 were:
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Best Adventure Tourism Destination – for the eleventh consecutive year
- Best Romantic Destination – the Atacama Desert
- Best Green Destination – for its strong commitmentto sustainability
- Best Nature Destination – for its unmatched biodiversity and pristine landscapes
- Best Cruise Destination – a new milestone for Chile’s coastal tourism
These recognitions confirm Chile’s diversity, from the driest desert on Earth to Patagonia’s glaciers and fjords.
A New Horizon: Best Cruise Destination 2025
For the first time, Chile was named Best Cruise Destination in South America, recognizing its growing maritime tourism and unique coastal routes.
These journeys are not about sailing through idyllic tropical islands but about exploring dramatic fjords, glaciers, remote Patagonian landscapes, and even venturing toward the Antarctic — a true voyage to the edge of the world.
From Valparaíso and Coquimbo to Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas, Chile’s ports are gateways to extraordinary scenery and culture.
Recent data show Chile’s steady progress:
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The 2023–2024 cruise season welcomed 260,356 passengers in 410 ship calls.
- In 2024–2025, Chile registered 251,747 passengers in 402 arrivals, a slight 3 % decline but still strong regional performance.
- (Source: Seatrade Cruise & Cruise Industry News)
This award is expected to boost international cruise interest, as global travelers seek scenic, sustainable, and culturally rich destinations.
Adventure and Nature: The Heart of Chilean Tourism
Chile’s extreme geography makes it an unparalleled destination for adventure travelers.
With the Andes, volcanoes, deserts, and Patagonian fjords, the country offers ideal settings for trekking, climbing, rafting, skiing, and glacier exploration.
Winning Best Adventure Tourism Destination for 11 years in a row shows global trust in its outdoor experiences.
Meanwhile, its recognition as Best Nature Destination reflects a long-term effort to protect ecosystems and biodiversity.
From the Lauca National Park in the north to Torres del Paine in the south, Chile protects vast wilderness areas that continue to attract ecotourists from around the world.
Green and Romantic Chile: Sustainability and Magic
Chile’s recognition as Best Green Destination reflects more than environmental protection — it’s about experiencing nature in its purest form.
From the lush forests of Patagonia to the silent vastness of the Atacama Desert, travelers find a country that protects its ecosystems while inviting visitors to explore them responsibly.
Facts That Speak for Themselves
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46 national parks and over 110 protected areas managed by CONAF
- 18.8 million hectares of protected land — about 21% of the national territory
- Home to 30,000 native species, 25% of them endemic
- 94% of national park surface concentrated in southern regions (Aysén and Magallanes)
- The Atacama Desert: one of the world’s top stargazing destinations
- 260,000+ cruise passengers in the latest strong season
These figures confirm Chile’s solid leadership in adventure, nature, and sustainable tourism throughout South America.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
To sustain its tourism success, Chile must:
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Improve domestic connectivity between key regions
- Enhance sustainable infrastructure in remote destinations
- Expand international marketing focused on adventure, nature, cruises, and romance
- Protect dark skies for astronomy and astrotourism
Standardize port and cruise costs to remain competitive in South America
Final Reflection
The World Travel Awards 2025 not only celebrate Chile’s diversity but also its long-term vision of tourism: sustainable, inclusive, and world-class.
From the Andean peaks to the Pacific coast, from the starry skies of Atacama to the glaciers of Patagonia, Chile offers travelers a journey through some of the planet’s most extraordinary landscapes.
✅ Quick Answers for Curious Travelers
Known as one of the most prestigious distinctions in global tourism, the World Travel Awards recognize excellence across all sectors of the travel industry, including destinations, airlines, hotels, and cruise operators.
Chile received five major awards in the South America edition of the 2025 World Travel Awards, confirming its leadership in adventure, nature, sustainability, and cruise tourism.
Chile was recognized as South America’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination, Best Green Destination, Best Romantic Destination, Best Nature Destination, and for the first time, Best Cruise Destination.
The ceremony was held in Cancún, Mexico, gathering tourism leaders and professionals from across the region to celebrate outstanding travel achievements.
Chile’s geography offers unparalleled diversity — from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia — with world-class trekking, national parks, fjords, volcanoes, and stargazing experiences that attract travelers seeking adventure and natural beauty.
Unlike tropical routes, Chile’s cruise itineraries explore fjords, glaciers, and remote Patagonian landscapes, offering a unique journey to the southernmost regions and even the Antarctic.
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