Ten Chilean tourism companies and projects were recognized at the South American edition of the 2026 World TravelAwards, international awards known as the “Oscars of tourism.” The awards cover various areas of the tourism industry, ranging from the hospitality sector and nature experiences to wine tourism and air connectivity.
In the destination and institution categories, Chile received four additional awards, including Best Adventure Tourism Destination in South America, which it has won for the twelfth consecutive year. The country was also recognized as Best Green Destination and Best Cruise Destination, and the National Tourism Service (Sernatur) was named Best Tourism Office in South America, an award it has won for the first time.
Hospitality, Conservation, and Nature Tourism
Expedition and conservation hospitality was one of the standout categories of the event. For example, Tierra Patagonia (Magallanes Region), located on the shores of Lake Sarmiento near Torres del Paine National Park, was named the Best Adventure Hotel in South America thanks to its harmonious architecture and exploration offerings.
Explora Patagonia National Park (Aysén Region), located in the Chacabuco Valley, won the award for Best Lodge in South America, and Hotel Las Torres Patagonia (Magallanes Region) was named the Best Green Hotel in South America, in recognition of its sustainable model for lodging, trekking, and hiking in the Cerro Paine Reserve.
For its part, the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve (Los Ríos Region) won the award for Best Responsible Tourism Destination in South America, in recognition of its nearly 100,000 hectares of conservation area in the temperate rainforest.
They were joined by Explora, recognized as the Best Expedition Company in South America for its operations in Atacama, Torres del Paine, Rapa Nui, and Patagonia.
Wine Tourism, Connectivity, and Tourism Services
The private sector's impact was also evident in the wine-growing regions, air connectivity, and MICE tourism (meetings and corporate events).
In this vein, the Concha y Toro Wine Center (Pirque, Maipo Valley) was named the Best Tourist Winery in South America. Meanwhile, VIK Chile (Millahue Valley, O’Higgins Region) won the award for Best Hotel in a Wine Region in South America for its combination of contemporary architecture, luxury accommodations, and wine-tasting experience.
LATAM Airlines was once again named the Best Airline in South America, strengthening the country's connections to the Americas, Europe, and Oceania.
In the Metropolitan Region, the Sheraton Santiago Hotel & Convention Center was named Best Conference Hotel in South America, while Aviva Water Park (Maipú) won the award for Best Water Park in South America.
However, the Undersecretary of Tourism, María Paz Lagos, emphasized that this achievement is “a source of pride for Chile, but also a recognition of the work of thousands of entrepreneurs, workers, and communities who make tourism a driver of growth and employment in our regions.”
What's next
Now that the regional competition has concluded, Chile will participate in the global edition of the 2026 World Travel Awards, to be held on December 12, 2026, in Tanzania. You can vote for Chile on the awards’ official website through October 30.
