Mil Tambores Carnival Boosts Tourism in Valparaíso with 90% Accommodation Occupancy

Original article: Carnaval Mil Tambores dejó cifras positivas para el turismo en Valparaíso: Alojamientos alcanzaron un 90% de ocupación

Valparaíso reported a positive tourism outlook this past weekend, highlighted by the Mil Tambores Carnival, which brings together groups and parades from across Chile. The final parade took over the central streets surrounding Plaza Victoria throughout Sunday.

City officials noted that «according to sector representatives, hotels and hostels achieved near 90% occupancy levels, with some venues reaching full capacity on Saturday night.»

In addition to Mil Tambores, other events contributed to this influx of visitors, including the Cafeyna Fair and the Viña del Mar Marathon, among various initiatives held over the weekend, as indicated by the municipality.

Patricio Veas, the president of the Valparaíso Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, expressed that events like Mil Tambores stimulate the city’s economic activity.

«Mil Tambores is an event that greatly benefits the city. The Valparaíso Chamber of Commerce and Tourism maintains constant contact with most local guilds, both members and non-members, as we provide a broad voice about what is happening in the city. Regarding occupancy, we reached 90%,» Veas celebrated.

The business leader emphasized that «it is important to consider how the complete occupancy of hotels and hostels stimulates not just individual restaurants but also generates a productive chain that develops with local commercial identity,» noted the representative of Valparaíso’s commerce and tourism sector.

Similarly, María José Zapata, president of the Valparaíso Hotels Association, highlighted the demand dynamics over the weekend and the impact of various concurrent activities in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.

«We observed a significant tourist movement in Valparaíso. Notably, on Saturday night, hotels surveyed by our association achieved an average occupancy of 85%, with several establishments reaching 100%,» confirmed Zapata.

«The Viña del Mar marathon generated an important flow of visitors, coinciding with several activities such as the Beach of Sports event, a cultural program at Federico Santa María, the Cafeyna Fair with which we maintain a good partnership, and Mil Tambores, whose audience largely utilizes hostels and other lodging options,» elaborated Zapata.

«This allowed tourist demand to be distributed among the various accommodation alternatives in the city. When Valparaíso and Viña del Mar host multiple simultaneous events, the entire destination becomes activated,» maintained the hotel association representative.