Chile shines again at the South America World Travel Awards 2026

Chile is once again positioning itself as one of the most prominent destinations in South America in the international tourism industry. In the South American edition of the World Travel Awards 2026, known as the "Oscars of tourism," the country received 19 nominations in 18 categories, reaffirming the strength of its tourism offering and the diversity of experiences it provides from north to south. This new recognition adds to the good performance that Chile has had in previous editions, something we had already addressed in our article about why Chile excels in the World Travel Awards.

These nominations are not only good news for the international promotion of the country. They also reflect something that many travelers already recognize when touring Chile: the possibility of experiencing very different adventures within the same territory. Desert, mountains, forests, glaciers, lakes, cities, gastronomy, adventure tourism, and nature are part of a tourism proposal that continues to gain visibility outside the country.

What are the World Travel Awards?

The World Travel Awards are international awards that recognize excellence in tourism, travel, and hospitality. Over time, these awards have become a benchmark for the industry, highlighting destinations, operators, hotels, airports, attractions, and experiences that stand out at both regional and global levels.

In the South America 2026 edition, Chile competes in multiple categories relevant to its tourism positioning. Among them are adventure, nature, gastronomy, meetings, and conferences, as well as nominations associated with specific destinations such as the Atacama Desert, Torres del Paine, and the La Araucanía Region.

Chile as an adventure and nature destination

One of the most important aspects of these nominations is the recognition of adventure and nature tourism. Chile competes as the Best Adventure Tourism Destination in South America and also as the Best Nature Destination, two categories that directly connect with the country's tourism identity.

This presence is not accidental. Chile has a particularly diverse geography, where it is possible to trek in Patagonia, climb volcanoes in La Araucanía, traverse the Atacama Desert, navigate among glaciers, kayak in southern fjords, or explore national parks with unique landscapes.

For those seeking outdoor experiences, these nominations reinforce a clear idea: Chile not only has impressive landscapes but also an increasingly structured offer to experience them safely, guided, and connected with the environment.

Chilean destinations that stand out in the competition

Among Chile's nominations, there are destinations that have a special prominence. The Atacama Desert appears among the highlighted attractions of the country, reinforcing its position as one of the most recognizable landscapes in South America. Its extreme geography, clear skies, salt flats, lagoons, and natural formations make it a destination with strong international appeal.

Torres del Paine also figures among the Chilean destinations that continue to drive the country's positioning. For many international travelers, this national park is one of the main reasons to visit Chile, especially for its trekking routes, glaciers, mountains, and Patagonian landscapes.

The La Araucanía Region also stands out in the competition, especially for its combination of volcanoes, lakes, forests, local culture, and outdoor activities. Its nomination as a leading regional destination in South America reinforces the growth of areas that offer nature experiences beyond traditional circuits.

Gastronomic tourism, MICE, and cities

Although Chile is often highlighted for its nature, the nominations also show that the country is gaining ground in other areas of tourism. In the 2026 edition, Chile competes as the Best Gastronomic Destination in South America, a category that recognizes the richness of its cuisine, local products, wines, and culinary diversity.

It also appears in categories related to meetings and conferences tourism, known as MICE. Santiago competes as a destination for meetings and conferences, reinforcing the country's ability to attract both leisure travel and corporate tourism and international events.

This point is important because it shows that Chile is not positioning itself solely as a destination for natural landscapes. It is also building a broader tourism offer capable of responding to different types of travelers and motivations.

Why are these nominations important for Chile?

The nominations in the World Travel Awards serve as an international showcase. For a country like Chile, which competes with very established destinations within South America, appearing in multiple categories helps strengthen its presence before travelers, agencies, operators, and specialized media.

These recognitions also reflect the quality and diversity of the national tourism offer. Tourism plays a relevant role as a driver of economic development, job creation, investment, and opportunities for communities and SMEs linked to the industry.

Moreover, these nominations help decentralize the perspective on Chilean tourism. Not everything is concentrated in a single destination. Atacama, Torres del Paine, La Araucanía, Santiago, the wine valleys, and Patagonia appear as part of a broad tourism ecosystem, where each region contributes a distinct experience.

How to vote for Chile in the World Travel Awards 2026?

Voting to support Chile in the World Travel Awards South America 2026 will be open until June 12, 2026. Both industry professionals and the general public can participate by registering, verifying their account via email, and voting in the corresponding categories.

The site set up to guide the voting is chileestuyo.cl/votaxchile, where the process to support the Chilean nominations is explained. It is also possible to vote directly from the World Travel Awards platform.

An opportunity to continue showcasing Chile to the world

Chile arrives at the World Travel Awards South America 2026 with a strong and diverse presence. The 19 nominations in 18 categories show that the country is not only competing for its landscapes but also for the quality of its experiences, gastronomy, infrastructure, regional destinations, and its ability to welcome travelers with very different interests.

For those who enjoy outdoor tourism, these nominations are an invitation to view Chile with new eyes. From the driest desert in the world to the southern glaciers, from active volcanoes to national parks, the country offers experiences that combine adventure, nature, and local culture.

At Outdoor Index, this recognition is also an opportunity to continue promoting a more informed, responsible way of traveling that is connected to the territory. Chile has much to show, and these nominations are a clear signal that its destinations continue to gain prominence in international tourism.