Last month, Interface Tourism has organized a workshop for Turismo Chile and partners inside the beautiful Chile Embassy in Paris, an historical place where the famous Chilean poet and political man Pablo Neruda was Ambassador between 1971 and 1973 – a very nice Chilean cultural reference !

It is in this exceptional place that about 20 Chilean exhibitors met with 70 highly-profile French trade tourism professionals, specialized tour operators and travel agencies, presented their products: hotels, cruises, incoming agencies, airlines, or their regions.

The participants’ goal was to meet a maximum of Chilean partners to improve their technical knowledge on the destination and to obtain symbolical stamps from the exhibitors on the « Chilean passport » they received at the beginning of the workshop. Stamps were given in exchange of fruitful appointments and allowed them to participate to the lucky draw at the end of the event to win a trip to Chile. Wine boxes were offered as consolations prizes. Study atmosphere guaranteed!

In parallel, the invitees have been welcomed by a speech of the Ambassador of Chile in France, Her Excellency, Marcia Covarrubias, and followed by a presentation of the major tourism assets of the country… and they are numerous with cultural diversity and breathless landscapes! Atacama desert in the North (the most arid in the world !), central valleys, cosmopolitan Santiago, bohemian Valparaiso, vineyards, the lake & volcanoes region, salvage Patagonia and at last, islands including Easter Island and her Moais, in the heart of Pacific. Yes, this island has been part of Chile for more than a hundred years!

To complete this event, several activities were offered:

• Photos exhibitions which invites to escape by showing the surprising diversity of the country;
• Street art digital activity in echo to Chilean artists’ works in the capital’s streets and Valparaiso. During the evening, our street artist has realized 4 digital paintings which were printed and given as a souvenir to participants. This original activity was met with great success!

• Chilean flavored cocktail dinner:

– Pino empanadas, salmon ceviche (salmon marinated in lemon juice), sopaipillas and pebre. A delight!

– Red and white wines to be carried away in the heart of Chilean vineyards and taste Carménère, the most emblematical grape variety of Chile and tasting of Calafate Sour cocktail of the South of Chile, composed of Pisco and berries imported directly from Patagonia. Salud!

To summarize, the workshop was a very beautiful event which allowed friendly and successful meetings between trade tourism French and Chilean professionals with a 360° immersion in Chile: presentation of the country, tasting of Chilean culinary and wine (with no excess!) and discovery of the Chilean culture.

I have been told that each participant left with his Chilean passport with the secret hope to migrate to this country which seduces them, but this passport was only reserved for the lucky draw, so there will not be an emigration wave of French people in Chile, I swear!
From our side, we will continue to count on the support of the French professionals to help us promoting this incredible country. Viva Chile!