The Federation of Tourism Companies of Chile expressed its concern over the recent increase in fuel prices announced by the government, in a context marked by the crisis in the Middle East and its effect on international oil prices. The association explained that tourism is an industry highly dependent on transportation, making fuel a key input in its cost structure. In this sense, they warned that increases of this magnitude impact the entire value chain of the sector, from air and land tickets to transportation services, excursions, and the operation of hotels, restaurants, and tour operators.
They also indicated that if this trend continues, a significant portion of these increased costs could be passed on to final prices, making travel more expensive and affecting demand. "Tourism is an activity particularly sensitive to people's disposable income, so such increases can directly influence travel decisions," they stated. The association also emphasized that this scenario occurs at a crucial moment, as the industry is still seeking to consolidate its recovery and resume sustained growth.
In this regard, they warned that prolonged cost pressures could affect Chile's competitiveness as a tourist destination. Currently, tourism generates around 700,000 jobs in the country and plays a fundamental role in the development of regional economies. Finally, Fedetur called for monitoring the evolution of these factors and advancing measures to mitigate their impact, thereby safeguarding the competitiveness of the sector.