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• 3 min de lectura
May 13, 2026
By PortalPortuario Editorial Staff
The Board of Directors of the Southern Cone Ports Corporation held a meeting with the Undersecretary of Tourism, María Paz Lagos, with the aim of addressing strategic issues for the development of the cruise industry in Chile and analyzing the main challenges facing this sector in the upcoming seasons.
During the meeting, the Corporation presented its coordinating, technical, and strategic role in strengthening and developing the cruise industry in the country.
Likewise, matters related to the sector's competitiveness were analyzed, including the comparative study of port costs in South America prepared by the Corporation and the need to advance a country strategy aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of cruise tourism in the international market.
The meeting also allowed for discussions on the Corporation's participation in Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, held from April 13 to 16 in Miami, United States; the possibility of collaborating on updating a study on the economic impact of cruise activity in the country; and promoting the project for a new port and cruise terminal in Ancud, Chiloé, among other relevant topics for the sector.
The President of the Corporation, Juan Marcos Mancilla, highlighted the relevance of this meeting and valued the possibility of advancing a joint work agenda with the Undersecretariat of Tourism.
“The meeting allowed us to present an agenda with topics of great relevance for the cruise industry, especially the need to advance measures that strengthen the sector's competitiveness and allow Chile to be better positioned in the international market,” he stated.
In that vein, Mancilla explained that “during the meeting, the results of the comparative study of port costs in South America, developed by the Corporation together with a national consultancy, were also presented. This study showed that the Chilean coast has average port costs that are less competitive than most South American ports, particularly in services such as piloting, pilotage, tugboats, and lighthouses and beacons,” he affirmed.
Finally, the President of the Corporation valued the willingness of the Undersecretariat of Tourism to advance collaborative work.
“We requested the support of the Undersecretariat in updating a study on the economic impact of cruise activity in the country, with the objective of having updated information that contributes to promoting joint initiatives for the development of this industry,” he concluded.
Source: portalportuario
