Chile seeks to attract argentine tourists with VAT refund

01-06-25

The Chilean government has taken a strategic step to boost tourism and counteract the decline in spending by Argentine visitors by launching a new Value Added Tax (VAT) refund program for foreign tourists. This officially announced initiative aims to restore the flow of travelers from Argentina, who have historically been one of the main drivers of tourism in Chile’s border regions.

The project, led by Chile’s Undersecretariat of Tourism and supported by the National Tourism Service (Sernatur), has generated positive expectations among the Chilean private sector, especially in southern regions where Argentine tourism represents a significant source of income. The initiative was formally presented during a meeting between Chilean authorities and tourism business leaders in the city of Osorno, where discussions focused on the necessary mechanisms to ensure the VAT refund for foreign visitors is feasible, transparent, and beneficial for both the country and travelers.