Chile and Chilean Ecotourism: A Case Analysis on Risks and Risk Management
Lovely Mae S. Liporada
Zairen B. Miranda
Lory Jane B. Orquiza
Introduction
Chile is a country located in South America that is known for its diverse and unique
ecosystems. As a result, the country has become a popular destination for ecotourism, which is
defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the
well-being of local people” (UNEP, 2020).
It is also noteworthy to point out that Chile is geographically positioned within the Pacific
Ring of Fire, which means that it is a country exposed to different changing climate patterns as
well as extreme natural and geological events such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and
intense rainfall causing heavy floods and landslides. However, from these hydro-meteorological
events, earthquakes and tsunamis have implicated the greatest damage in terms of casualties
and impact on the economy (Center for Excellence in Disaster Risk Management & Humanitarian
Assistance, 2017).
On a different note, Chile has a high level of urbanization as with the rest of Latin America
with almost 90% of the country’s total population living in urban areas. This urbanization is a result
of rapid and unplanned growth, resulting to several problems such as the occupation of hazardprone areas and the recreation of the unequal and exclusionary shape of Chilean society in the
spatial distribution of human settlements (Jiménez-Cavieres, 2006).
As mentioned earlier, Chile have become one of the world’s hotspots for ecotourism
because of its unique and natural geographical features. However, such tourism spots have also
been flaunted by risks apart from those mentioned earlier i.e., natural disasters and calamities
such as earthquakes, typhoons and floods as well as the glaring inequality in terms of wealth and
access to basic services and opportunities. These risks revolve around environmental risks, overtourism, and the exploitation of local communities.
While ecotourism can bring economic benefits to local communities, it can also pose a
variety of risks to the environment and local populations. This case study will analyze the risks
associated with Chile’s ecotourism industry and provide tangible solutions to mitigate these risks.
Statement of the Problem
On hindsight, although the country’s economy has grown exponentially in the recent
decades, the benefits were not equally distributed across the wider Chilean society, but rather are
concentrated in the wealthiest sectors (UNDP, 2017). The growing inequality between the poor
and the rich may put Chile at risk and may be considered as one of the country’s main
vulnerabilities. It has exposed many Chilean citizens to risks to which the impacts have become
harder and longer. Moreover, the growing unrest due to unequal access to opportunities and
economic advantage have been so high and deeply rooted that it was seen as the main reason
of the social outbreak that began in October 2019.
In the same vein, Chile’s DRR system is neither comprehensive nor participatory as the
population do not have a direct involvement in the planning processes but are only involved in the
consultations to validate decisions. However, due to the effective and wide implementation of
earthquake resistant building codes, Chile has become a regional leader when it comes to having
low physical vulnerability (UN, 2010). Moreover, the study and monitoring systems have
improved, which can now generate timely and more characterized risk information; and
decentralizing and giving strength to the early warning and monitoring systems at regional level
(ONEMI, 2016).
Santiago and Valparaíso are two cities in Chile which integrates several communes,
however, metropolitan administration does not exist in the political-administrative structure of the
country. Greater Santiago has always been affected by flooding as well as earthquakes which
have left the most expensive damage (Camus, et. al., 2016). Valparaiso is no exemption as it is
also ravaged by earthquakes, and most often than not, tsunamis, flood, as well as forest fires.
Both cities share the same vulnerabilities and urban growth patterns such as the occupation of
hazard prone areas, deep inequality and segregated poverty that constrains the capacity of the
population to own worthy housing.
On the other hand, there are several tourist destinations located in Chile as well, the Valle
de La Luna, the Atacama Desert, and the Torres Del Paine National Park, to name a few. However,
these ecotourism destinations have also been exposed to different risks, similar to the ones
mentioned in the earlier parts of the discussion. Some of the risks that confront these sites include
environmental risks which poses the potential for environmental damage due to tourism activities.
This includes the destruction of habitats, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species.
Additionally, the influx of tourists to Chile’s natural areas can lead to environmental degradation
due to the increased demand for resources such as water, energy, and food. Additionally, the
presence of tourists can lead to the destruction of habitats and the disruption of wildlife.
There is also the issue on over-tourism. The rapid growth of the ecotourism industry in
Chile has led to overcrowding in certain areas, which can lead to the destruction of the
environment and the disruption of local communities. And lastly, the exploitation of local
communities wherein tourists often take advantage of the locals’ lack of knowledge and resources.
Problem Analysis
Chile is a country whose geographical features bring in money and fuel the economy
through tourism, but at the same time puts its citizens at risks due to the natural calamities and
disasters that go along with these features. Some of these calamities include earthquakes,
floodings, landslides, and forest fires. There is also the looming effects of societal inequality as
majority of the population do not have direct and easy access to basic social services and
opportunities which eventually led to the social outbreak beginning in 2019. Additionally, the
country’s ecotourism rake millions and improve the country’s economic standing, the huge influx
of tourists from around the world poses a threat to the environment as well as to the local
communities that inhabit the areas where these ecotourism destinations are situated.
Strategies and Alternative Course of Actions
On a national scale, in order to prevent major damage and casualties when natural
calamities strike, the Chilean government should implement and adopt a disaster risk reduction
strategy which includes the creation and acquisition of extensive hazard monitoring and
forecasting systems, a comprehensive early warning center which delivers information through
the mobile phone network, a Communal Emergency Plan which informs and prepares citizens on
what to do and what not to do during emergencies in their locality, and a recovery plan which will
serve as a roadmap for governments both local and national on how they can cope and recover
from the damage brought by these tragedies. These alternatives have already been implemented
by Chile as reflected in the study of Greiving, et. al., (2021), however, the systems and plans in
place still needs improvement and constant monitoring.
On a different note, in order to mitigate the risks associated with Chile’s ecotourism
industry, the Chilean government can establish sustainable tourism practices to ensure that the
environment is protected and local communities are not exploited. This can include limiting the
number of tourists in certain areas, promoting responsible tourism, and providing education and
training to local communities. Another step would be to develop regulations and policies like
establishing limits on the number of tourists in certain areas, creating regulations for responsible
tourism, and providing incentives for sustainable tourism practices. The government and
ecotourism operators can also invest in infrastructure which can include investing in renewable
energy sources, improving waste management systems, and providing access to clean water and
sanitation. Most importantly, education. Tourists and tour operators should be educated and
trained in the potential environmental and safety risks associated with ecotourism in Chile. This
should include information on the proper use of equipment, the proper disposal of waste, and
safety protocols. At the point of finality, these steps won’t be sustainable and would only take in
effect for a specific period of time without monitoring and enforcement. Therefore, tour operators
should be required to monitor and enforce the regulations and laws related to ecotourism in Chile.
This should include regular inspections of tour operators and their activities.
Conclusion, Recommendations, and Course of Action
Chile’s unique geographical feature and booming ecotourism industry has the potential to
bring economic benefits to local communities, but it can also pose a variety of risks to the
environment and local populations. This case study has analyzed the risks associated with Chile’s
ecotourism industry and provided tangible solutions to mitigate these risks. By implementing
national and local risk reduction strategies, sustainable tourism practices, developing regulations
and policies, investing in infrastructure, education, as well as monitoring and enforcement of these
pre-emptive strategies, the risks associated with Chile’s ecotourism industry can be minimized.
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