摘要：During the last few decades the tourism industry has become an important sector of global economy. In 2009, tourism and related activities generated 9.2 per cent of Global Domestic Product, employed more than 235 million people and transported ca. 700 million travellers around the world (WTTC, 2010). Chile is not an exception to this trend and since the mid 1990s tourism has become a main economic venture in the country. In 2000 a total of 1,742,407 tourists visited Chile, while in 2007 the number of foreign visitors increased to 2,506,756, leaving USD $1,803 million to the economy (Government of Chile 2001; 2008). Among these, special interest tourism (SIT) visitors is the dominant group in regards to total num- ber of visitors and suggests that Chile is mainly being pursued by tourists for its natural attractions rather than by traditional attractions such as beaches or snow.
