Title
Manual of Good Practices for Special Interest Tourism in Southern Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Author(s)
Cáceres, Benjamín; Kusch, Alejandro; Vila, Alejandro R.
Published
2016
Abstract
The extreme south of Chile has one of the largest and most important fjord areas in the world. In the region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica the marine and coastal ecosystems stand out worldwide for their diversity of habitats, which support a wealth of life forms and ecosystem goods and services that allow the development of economic activities, such as artisanal fishing and special interest tourism. In the case of tourism, the number of visitors is systematically increasing in the region. The focus of their experiences in contact with nature is concentrated mainly in the Torres del Paine National Park and the canals and fjords. This growing interest of national and international visitors in the inhospitable sites of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego is not only reflected in an increase in the flow of tourists, but also in public policies. For example, the Regional Development Strategy for Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica 2012-2020 highlights the economic potential of special interest tourism in pristine ecosystems. Likewise, one of the main objectives of the National Tourism Service (Sernatur) for the region is to promote a "unique experience in a natural environment," offering responsible and environmentally sustainable special interest tourism. For its part, the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) seeks to contribute to the conservation of the biological diversity of our country's Protected Wildlife Areas and to ensure responsible visits to them.

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PUB15962