Santiago wants to be more than a layover: the Municipality will present its Tourism Development Plan (Pladetur) in November, and the Undersecretariat of Tourism is preparing a stopover program so that some of the 800,000 passengers who pass through the airport stay one or more nights in the capital. Ladevi set out the details on 22 October 2026, with statements from the municipality, Hoteleros de Chile and Undersecretary María Paz Lagos.
The starting point is good: in August 2026 the Metropolitan Region had the highest hotel occupancy in the country, with 76.4% of rooms occupied against a national average of 39.6%, according to the INE, Chile's statistics institute. The problem is that many visitors use it as a stop on the way to Torres del Paine, Rapa Nui or San Pedro de Atacama.
Santiago tourism in figures
| Indicator | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Region's share of national tourism GDP | 38.5% | Ladevi, with data from the Undersecretariat of Tourism |
| Overnight stays in the Metropolitan Region, August 2026 | 752,128 (+4.9% year on year) | INE, EMAT |
| Room occupancy, August 2026 | 76.4% (national average: 39.6%) | INE, EMAT |
| Average stay, January to July 2026 | 2.17 nights | Ladevi |
| Santa Lucía Hill visitors in August | 89,000, 67% foreigners | Municipality of Santiago, according to Ladevi |
| Passengers passing through Santiago airport | 800,000 | Undersecretary of Tourism María Paz Lagos |
Sources: INE, Monthly Tourist Accommodation Survey for August 2026 and Ladevi, 22 October 2026. The 800,000 figure does not specify the period or whether it refers only to connecting passengers.
What Santiago's tourism plan includes
The Pladetur aims to build a brand for Santiago, showcase its heritage, diversify routes and increase length of stay and spending. Macarena Bravo, deputy director of tourism at the Municipality, said the goal is not to concentrate visitors only in the Plaza de Armas, Lastarria and Santa Lucía, and to work with the tourism groups of each neighbourhood.
| Focus | What it proposes |
|---|---|
| New neighbourhoods | Yungay, Franklin, París-Londres, Brasil and Concha y Toro, in addition to the current circuits |
| Security | Municipal security staff: from about 300 in December 2024 to around 1,000 in 2026, with a goal of 2,000 next year; some guards receive language training |
| Public space | Restoration of facades and public spaces in the historic centre |
| Promotion | International trade fairs in 2027 and familiarisation trips for agencies |
| Segments | Culture, gastronomy, sporting events and meetings tourism |
Source: Municipality of Santiago, according to Ladevi. The official presentation of the Pladetur is scheduled for November 2026. To explore the neighbourhoods that already work well today, see our guide to things to do in Santiago de Chile.
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See advertising optionsHow a Santiago stopover program would work
A stopover program lets connecting passengers stay one or more nights in the layover city at no extra airfare, with discounts on hotels, restaurants and experiences. Such programs run in Panama, Istanbul, Madrid, Bogotá, Mexico City, Lima, São Paulo and Buenos Aires, where it is offered together with Aerolíneas Argentinas.
| What is needed | Why |
|---|---|
| Agreements with airlines | So that a long layover does not make the ticket more expensive |
| Airport transfers | So passengers can easily reach the city centre |
| Luggage handling | So they do not have to carry everything around the city |
| Ready-to-sell products | One- or two-night packages that agencies can offer |
Source: Ladevi, 22 October 2026. The program does not yet have a launch date. "Chile should have had a stopover program years ago," said Alberto Pirola, president of Hoteleros de Chile, although he acknowledged progress.
What tour operators say
Alejandro Álvarez, of CL Mundo, believes the city can sustain five-night stays if it is better promoted, and that it remains attractive for incentive travel and conferences thanks to its hotel capacity, although it lacks a large convention centre. He also said his company stopped visiting the Mercado Central for security reasons. Pirola, on the other hand, said tourist areas are safer today and the historic centre has come back to life.
Frequently asked questions
What is Santiago's Pladetur?
The Tourism Development Plan of the Municipality of Santiago. It seeks a brand for the city, new routes through heritage neighbourhoods and more nights of stay. It is due to be presented in November 2026.
Is there already a stopover program in Chile?
No. The Undersecretariat of Tourism is promoting it, but it has not been launched yet.
Which Chilean region has the highest hotel occupancy?
The Santiago Metropolitan Region, with 76.4% in August 2026, according to the INE.
