AGP Executive Report

Cruise Routes: New South American cruise recommendations include Patagonia’s fjords and glaciers, wildlife-rich waters, and routes through the Drake Passage toward Antarctica. Atacama Bloom: El Niño has brought one of the desert’s most spectacular flower displays in decades, putting Chile’s rare bloom in the spotlight for nature-focused trips. Patagonia Getaway: A recent five-day stay at a remote lodge in the Andes paired white-water rafting, hiking, fly-fishing and glacial-pool swims with evenings in outdoor hot tubs. Expedition Ships: A hybrid-electric expedition cruise ship built in Chile is set for delivery, a notable milestone for the country’s cruise industry.

Atacama in Bloom: Unusually heavy El Niño-linked rains have brought one of the desert’s most spectacular wildflower displays in decades, with Vallenar recording 183.5 millimeters of rain between July and September. Patagonia Escape: A recent five-day trip to Chilean Patagonia highlights rafting the Futaleufú, hiking to Salto El Tronador and unwinding at a lodge in the Andes. A Journey Begins in Chile: British adventurer Karl Bushby has completed his 28-year walk around the world, which began in Punta Arenas in 1998. Easter Island on Screen: Martin McDonagh’s new film Wild Horse Nine takes two CIA agents from Santiago to Rapa Nui, bringing the island’s landscapes into a story set in 1973.

Expedition Milestone: Karl Bushby has completed his 28-year walk around the world, which began in Punta Arenas, putting Chile at the start of a remarkable 50,000-kilometre journey. Atacama Bloom: El Niño has triggered a historic desert bloom, bringing an unusual burst of flowers to one of Chile’s driest regions. Antarctic Travel: A Chile-built hybrid-electric expedition ship is nearing delivery, while a new luxury lodge in the world’s southernmost town is adding to the region’s appeal for travelers heading to Antarctica.

Adventure Milestone: Karl Bushby has completed his 28-year, 50,000-kilometre journey home on foot, after setting out from Punta Arenas in 1998. His route crossed four continents and 30 countries, putting Chile at the starting point of one of the world’s most extraordinary long-distance treks. Atacama Bloom: El Niño has brought a historic flowering to the Atacama Desert, transforming its stark landscape into a rare burst of color.

Atacama Bloom: Exceptional winter rain linked to El Niño has turned the normally barren desert into a vivid display of wildflowers, with more than 200 native species in bloom. It could be the region’s most extensive flowering since 1997, creating a rare draw for nature-focused trips. Concert Tourism: BTS’s Latin American tour included Santiago and drew 853,000 fans across 14 sold-out shows in five cities. The group’s return to Chile after nine years added to a tour that boosted tourism, lodging and transport demand across the region. Nature and Development: Fishing, farming and tourism groups in La Higuera are urging President José Antonio Kast to protect the Humboldt Archipelago as the Dominga mining and port project faces renewed approval concerns. Windsurfing: Chile hosts the World Windsurf Tour season finale from Nov. 14–29, with world titles on the line—an opportunity for fans to plan a trip around the competition. Andes Skiing: Tres Valles, east of Santiago, is gaining attention as a South American ski destination, with around 5,000 acres of terrain and airport access in under two hours by road.

Environmental Tourism: Artisanal fishers, tourism operators and Indigenous representatives in Chile’s Coquimbo Region are urging the government not to fast-track the Dominga mining project, warning it could threaten Humboldt penguins and nature-based tourism around the Humboldt Archipelago. Andes Skiing: Chile’s Tres Valles is drawing attention as a summer-season alternative for North American skiers, with about 5,000 acres across three mountain towns and access from Santiago in under two hours. Windsurfing: Chile hosts the season-ending World Windsurf Tour event from November 14 to 29, where the world title is still up for grabs. Expedition Cruising: A hybrid-electric expedition cruise ship built in Chile is nearing delivery, a notable milestone for the country’s shipbuilding and cruise sectors. Regional Travel: Chile has joined Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay in a new Mercosur tourism portal designed to help visitors explore destinations across the region.

Andes Skiing: Chile’s Tres Valles is drawing attention as a Southern Hemisphere alternative to Vail and Aspen, with 5,000 acres of terrain east of Santiago and access from the airport in under two hours. Windsurfing: Chile hosts the World Windsurf Tour season finale from Nov. 14–29, with the women’s title race separated by just 15 points after the Aloha Classic. Regional Tourism: Brazil welcomed 7 million foreign visitors in January–September, while a new Mercosur tourism portal launched with Chile and four neighboring countries to help travelers explore the region.

Adventure: Karl Bushby is expected to finish his 28-year, 50,000-kilometre trek in England on Monday. He set off from Chile’s southern tip in 1998, putting the country at the starting point of one of the world’s most extraordinary journeys. Wildlife Tourism: A prize-winning photo by Chilean photographer Francisco Negroni highlights illegal puma hunting in Argentine Patagonia. The report notes that some landowners in southern Chile have turned to puma tourism as an alternative to sheep farming. Expedition Cruises: A hybrid-electric expedition ship built in Chile is nearing delivery ahead of the Antarctic cruise season, highlighting the country’s role in the growing expedition-travel industry.

Antarctic Voyages: The season runs from November to March, with expedition-cruise demand at a high. Operators are also weighing safety, contract and liability risks, while a hybrid-electric expedition ship built in Chile is nearing delivery. Southern Gateway: A new luxury lodge in the world’s southernmost town is positioning itself as a more comfortable base for journeys to Antarctica. Work & Travel: Canada includes Chile among 36 countries whose young citizens can apply for International Experience Canada work permits; eligibility and participation limits vary. Global Trek: Karl Bushby’s 28-year walk home began in Punta Arenas in 1998. He is now nearing Hull, England, after crossing four continents.

Antarctic Expeditions: Chilean shipbuilder ASENAV has sent the hybrid-electric Magellan Discoverer from Corral for final trials. The polar expedition ship is due for delivery in December, adding a major new vessel to Chile’s expedition-cruise industry. Chilean Wine: Carménère is in the spotlight as a Merlot alternative. Long misidentified as Merlot, the grape was confirmed as Carménère in Chile in 1994—one to look for on a winery visit.

Expedition Cruising: Chilean shipyard ASENAV has sent the Magellan Discoverer for final trials. The hybrid-electric vessel is due for delivery in December and is designed for polar expeditions with lower emissions and underwater noise. Antarctic Gateway: A new 150-room lodge in Puerto Williams opened this month, offering travellers a wilderness stay at the southern tip of Chile before Antarctic journeys. Long Walk Home: Explorer Karl Bushby is nearing the end of his 28-year walk from Punta Arenas to England, a journey that began in Chile in 1998.

Antarctic Gateway: A new 150-room lodge in Puerto Williams is pitching Chile’s far south as a destination in its own right, not just a stopover before Antarctica. The property offers travelers access to subpolar forests, rugged waterways and the Dientes de Navarino mountains. Adventure Travel: British walker Karl Bushby has reached Hull after a 28-year journey on foot that began in Chile, covering about 58,000 kilometres without using transport to advance. Patagonia Parks: Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park has joined the Route of Parks of Patagonia, adding another Chilean protected area to the long-distance nature travel route.

Working Holidays: Chileans are among citizens of 36 countries eligible to apply for Canada’s International Experience Canada youth work permits, offering a route to temporary work and travel. Air Travel: A Chilean passenger says Aeroméxico refused to board his Great Dane service dog on his return from Vancouver, despite the dog having flown with him on the outbound trip. China Access: Chile is on China’s expanded visa-free list, allowing eligible visitors to stay up to 30 days for tourism and other permitted short visits. Patagonia Parks: Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park has joined Chile’s Route of Parks of Patagonia, adding a major national park to the travel route. Flight Safety: A plane was struck by lightning before landing in Chile, alarming passengers; the report did not describe any injuries.

Accessible Travel: Chilean traveler Matias Rodriguez says he was refused boarding in Vancouver with Logan, his Great Dane service dog, despite having flown with the dog to Canada. The case highlights the need to confirm airline arrangements for service animals before departure. China Trips: Chileans are among 50 nationalities eligible to visit China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism and other permitted purposes. Antarctic Expeditions: Antarctica21 has opened bookings for its 2028–29 season, with 47 departures. Its air-cruise trips fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island, avoiding much of the Drake Passage crossing. Tourism Outlook: Disrupted routes through Gulf hubs are steering some European travelers toward South America, with Chile among the destinations seeing increased interest.

Antarctic Access: Chile remains a gateway to the White Continent: Antarctica21’s air-cruises fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island in about two hours, avoiding much of the rough Drake Passage crossing. Tourism Demand: Disrupted routes through Gulf hubs are prompting more Europeans to consider South America, with Chile among the destinations drawing increased interest. Patagonia Trails: A new 231-mile lodge-to-lodge trek aims to protect the region’s environment and local communities, while Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park has joined Chile’s Route of Parks. Urban Cycling: Santiago placed among the world’s top five cities for bike and scooter friendliness in a new global ranking. Travel Options: Chileans are included in China’s expanded visa-free entry policy, allowing eligible visitors stays of up to 30 days.

Visitor Outlook: Disrupted Gulf flight routes are prompting more Europeans to consider South America, with Chile among the destinations seeing increased interest. Travel Access: Chileans are among 47 nationalities eligible for Qatar’s free multiple-entry tourist visa, allowing stays of up to 30 days, extendable once; travelers need a passport valid for six months and a return or onward ticket. Patagonia Trails: A new 231-mile lodge-to-lodge trek aims to support local communities and protect the environment. Cruise Tourism: Valparaíso has reported an increase in cruise-ship calls. National Parks: Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park has joined Patagonia’s Route of Parks.