Chile advances with its numerous reforms in its tourism sector and is also moving closer to implementing stricter safety standards for adventure tourism after its Chamber of Deputies approved a bill to enhance safety in the industry by a wide margin, by 115 votes in favor and 10 against.
The bill, which now moves to the Senate, establishing stricter measures, the new regulations require all adventure tourism providers to have the mandatory “ R Seal”, undergo specialized technical reviews and comply with strict safety standards.
The law also strengthens the National Tourism Board (Sernatur) inspections, increases sanctions and gives powers to close services that do not comply with regulations, aiming to ensure quality and safety for tourists.
To obtain the “R Seal”, companies must undergo a technical verification by a specialized agency to ensure they meet. A mandatory certification will officially designate the adventure tourism providers that meet the new safety and quality standards and the accreditation must be visible so that tourists and uswers can easily identify it.
The new verification process is different from the inspections carried out by the National Tourism Board, but both will complement each other, allowing for more robust field operations and a comprehensive approach to safety.
The law introduces stronger consequences for non - compliant providers, including higher fines and the possibility of temporary or permanent closure of the services that do not respect the rules.
In addition, deadlines are established to implement these measures and relevant points as :
• The regulation of the law must be prepared in a maximum f 12 months.
• Defining how the R Seal will be applied according to the level of risk of each activity.
• How often it must be renewned.
The Undersecretary of Tourism, Verónica Pardo, valued the approval of this bill in the Chamber of Deputies and stated that, this move it is a milestone for the sector, because for the first time modifications are introduced to the Tourism Law with the focus on the safety of people.
This is a clear sign the country wants that those who practice adventure tourism to do so with the confidence that are clear, verifiable and enforceable standards. In addition, this step reinforces the State’s commitment to responsible tourism, where the quality of the experience and safety always go hand in hand.
For the National Director of Sernatur, Cristóbal Benitez, the approval in the Chamber of Deputies of this bill mark a decisive step because this progress, which has had cross - cutting support from all sector, is part of the consolidation of the efforts promoted by Sernatur in recent years to strengthen security.
The operations were managed from the creation of a Program for the Regulation of Tourism Services, the incorporation of new types of adventure tourism activities to the National Registry, the verification under safety management requirements and the updating of technical standards, to the development of the first technical standard of bungee.
In conclusion, the primary goal is to strengthen safety and quality standards across Chile’s burgeoning adventure tourism sector. By formalizing safety requirements, the law aims to provide a more secure and reliable experience for tourists.
The bill contributes to the formalization and sustainable growth of tourism in Chile, which is becoming a major active travel hub in South America.
With this step Chile seeks not only to offer unique experiences in adventure tourism, but also to protect who enjoy them, ensuring that the activities are carried out under reliable and regulated conditions.
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