Official Data Contradicts Kast’s Claims: Governor Saffirio Refutes President’s Assertion That Tourism in La Araucanía Is Hindered by Violence

Original article: «Datos oficiales de Sernatur e INE dicen otra cosa»: Gobernador Saffirio desmiente afirmación de Kast de que el turismo en La Araucanía «está frenado por la violencia»

The regional governor of La Araucanía, René Saffirio, has refuted the claim made by President José A. Kast during his public address, asserting that tourism in the region is «hindered by violence.»

With factual data in hand, the regional authority highlighted that the statements made by the Chilean President are, once again, not grounded in reality.

«President Kast claims that tourism in La Araucanía is hindered by violence, but the official data from Sernatur and INE tells a different story: foreign tourist arrivals have doubled, increasing from 166,000 in 2023 to 328,000 in 2024; overnight stays grew by 46% in January 2025; and tourism employment rose by 33.8%,» detailed Saffirio through his account on the social media platform X.

«Additionally,» the governor added, «Pucón has been nominated as the Best Regional Adventure Tourism Destination in the World Travel Awards, and Chile won the global title in that category.»

«La Araucanía is experiencing one of its best tourism moments in decades. Facts prevail over narratives,» emphasized Saffirio.

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