Responsible Tourism in Chile
Tourism can provide an important sustainable economic stimulus to rural areas throughout the world if done correctly. When not done correctly it can breed bitter feelings and ill will especially to businesses with foreign owners and guides. This is particularly true in Southern Chile where many tourist businesses are owned and operated by people from other countries with little contribution to the local economies within which they operate.
In Southern Chile there are currently plans to build both dams and mines, which would devastate the tourist business in Northern Patagonia. In many instances the locals see the dams and mines as a way to earn a reasonable income in a remote impoverished area. In Futaleufu for example, there are locals who feel that the foreign tourist businesses provide little benefit to the local population as several of these businesses bring in their own guides and employees from outside the area and often outside the country. Many buy their food and supplies from outside the area and keep their guests sequestered in private compounds with little opportunity to interact with and support the local population. Additionally some of these businesses operate seasonally and leave the country with all their money and do not pay local or federal income taxes in the areas in which they operate.
Resultantly there is a local population who feel that at least the dams and mines will provide needed income to help them support their families and buy goods, which are expensive in this part of the world.
I believe strongly that good tourism can provide sustainable long term income, good jobs and be beneficial to local economies for years to come, whereas dams and mines operate on a much shorter term basis and often leave the areas within which they operate in ruins once the projects are complete. Good tourism includes hiring and training locals, supporting local businesses by buying goods and services from them, paying taxes in the country and treating the locals with respect by listening to their opinions and desires.
If you are traveling to Southern Chile or anywhere in the world for that matter, look for tourist businesses that provide responsible tourism and you will be helping to support a good thing for all and assuring a continued resource for years to come. By supporting these businesses you can help change local attitudes that want the dams and the mines and help retain the beauty, customs and culture of this incredibly special part of the world.
Lu Warner
Owner/Valle Bonito Lodge
Futaleufu, Chile
Vallebonitochile.com
Futaleufu ( Futaleufú ) 
