Chile

Chile, the jewel of South America, fascinates with its diverse culture and breathtaking natural landscapes. However, it faces major socio-economic challenges, particularly for its 9 indigenous communities, which make up more than 10% of the population and are struggling for economic development and the preservation of their cultural identity. Deforestation and overexploitation of water resources are also threatening the country’s biodiversity, exacerbating the difficulties associated with water management in drought-affected regions.

Sustainable tourism is emerging as a promising solution, integrating environmentally-friendly and economically viable practices. By preserving biodiversity and local cultures while generating income for communities, it helps reduce the sector’s carbon footprint and empowers communities to manage their resources.

As part of this exploration, a particular attention will be paid to indigenous tourism in Mapuche lands. These lands offer to the various communities an opportunity to enhance their culture while preserving their environment. To this end, indigenous tourism helps to build the capacity of local communities by fostering development, cooperation, communication and intergenerational transmission, while stimulating cultural pride and improving the quality of life of the inhabitants.