Chile's government has proposed keeping funding for international tourism promotion at about CLP 5,805 million in the 2027 Budget, without the increase it had announced. Acting Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism Karlfranz Koehler confirmed it on Tuesday, October 20, before the First Special Joint Budget Subcommittee: "We are therefore proposing to keep international promotion at around CLP 5,805 million", as reported by Ladevi on October 21.
The figure settles, for now, the question raised by the budget bill at the end of September, when the industry noticed that the promise to double the funds was not in the text. We explained it in detail in Chile's 2027 tourism budget: international promotion does not rise. The detailed presentation by the Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur before the same subcommittee was scheduled for this Thursday, October 22.
The figures in Chile's 2027 tourism budget
| Item | Amount or figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| International promotion 2027 (proposal) | About CLP 5,805 million, flat in real terms | Acting Economy Minister before the subcommittee, Oct. 20, 2026 |
| Tourism Attraction Programme 2027 | CLP 6,995.9 million | 2027 Budget Bill |
| Comparable 2026 base | CLP 7,021.6 million | 2027 Budget Bill |
| Real change in the programme | -0.4% | Mainly due to a 2.3% cut in staff costs |
| Promotion spending 2019-2026 | About CLP 66,000 million in total | Acting Economy Minister |
| Tourism employment | 685,000 people, 7.3% of all jobs in Chile | Acting Economy Minister |
Source: Ministry of Economy presentation to the First Special Joint Budget Subcommittee, session of October 20, 2026, according to Ladevi. Amounts are from the bill and may change as it goes through Congress.
In practice, the state would spend the same on promotion abroad in 2027 as this year, adjusted for inflation. Koehler did not report any increase in the works and said the social tourism programme will keep the same number of trips for older people, students and families.
Why the industry wanted more for international promotion
In May, Economy Minister Daniel Mas pledged on Radio Agricultura to "double the current funds for international tourism promotion". Since then, national and regional trade groups had expected to see that figure in the bill. The Federation of Tourism Companies of Chile (Fedetur) estimates that spending fell from about US$12 million in 2019 to about US$7 million today, before inflation.
Undersecretary of Tourism María Paz Lagos has said the government is "actively working" to increase the funds during the debate. In the regions, tourism associations in Magallanes asked for the proposal to be corrected before the final vote, according to El Pingüino.
- Fewer arrivals in 2026: between January and August fewer foreign tourists arrived than in 2025 because of the drop in Argentine visitors, as shown by August 2026 arrivals.
- Long-haul markets growing: tourists from the United States and Europe are increasing, but they depend most on campaigns at origin; details in the ranking of foreign tourists in Chile by country.
- Recent awards: Chile won four World Travel Awards 2026, which the industry wants to build on with more presence abroad.
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See advertising optionsHow much foreign tourism brings to the economy
According to Sernatur's 2026 public accounts report, Chile received 6 million international arrivals in 2025, up 14.6% on 2024, and inbound tourism revenue reached US$4,157 million, up 14.9% year on year. With those numbers, what the state invests in international promotion is a very small fraction of what foreign visitors spend.
| Indicator | 2025 value | Annual change |
|---|---|---|
| International arrivals | 6 million | +14.6% |
| Inbound tourism revenue | US$4,157 million | +14.9% |
| International promotion proposed for 2027 | About CLP 5,805 million | Flat in real terms |
Source: Sernatur, 2026 public accounts report, and the acting Economy Minister's presentation of October 20, 2026. To see how much each visitor spends by country, see our data sheet on how much foreign tourists spend in Chile.
What comes next for Chile's 2027 tourism budget
| Stage | What happens | When |
|---|---|---|
| First Special Joint Subcommittee | Reviews the Ministry of Economy chapter, which includes the Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur | October 20 and 22, 2026 |
| Special Joint Budget Committee | Consolidates all chapters of the bill | After the subcommittees |
| Chamber of Deputies and Senate | Vote on the whole bill | Within the 60-day constitutional deadline from submission, at the end of November |
| Government amendments | Only the executive can propose more spending; to raise the funds it must file an amendment | Throughout the process |
Source: Chile's Constitutional Organic Law of Congress and the subcommittee schedule reported by Ladevi. In practice, if the government wants to keep its promise to double the funds, the window to do so is the debate over the coming weeks. Lawmakers can reject or reduce items, but not increase them.
What it means for people travelling in Chile
For travellers, the promotion budget does not change prices or rules overnight. Its effect is medium term: more or fewer foreign tourists filling flights, hotels and tours in the shoulder and low seasons, which is exactly what the industry wants to strengthen. If you are planning a trip, our guide on when to travel to Chile by region helps you pick dates with lower demand.
Frequently asked questions
How much will Chile spend on international tourism promotion in 2027?
The government proposes keeping about CLP 5,805 million, flat in real terms compared with 2026. The amount may change in Congress.
Was the promise to double the funds kept?
Not in the bill. At the October 20 session, the acting Economy Minister did not report any increase being prepared.
When will the 2027 Budget be approved?
Congress has until the end of November to pass it; it is then enacted as law.
