230 tourists visit Rapa Nui post border closures

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

A crowd of more than 230 tourists visited Rapa Nui after 868 days of border closings, and this marks the official comeback of tourists to the island. This influx of tourists has been possible due to a contract between the Chile Government and the island’s communities and experts to guarantee a secure reopening, taking into accounts aspects like health, connectivity and supply, administration among others.

Verónica Kunze, the Undersecretary of Tourism said that they are very glad that the island is beginning this new phase of reopening. A majority of tourism services are prepared to welcome visitors, preserving suitable hygiene rules with a hope of reactivating their trades. Kunze said that they would also like to repeat their invitation for applying to the Chile Apoya programmes, particularly Sercotec’s Recupera Turismo (Tourism Recovery), which has stretched the application time limit.

Among the principal measures implemented, the local Health SEREMI team has been reinforced to grow testing, traceability and segregation volume, going up by 500% the staff assigned for these tasks. Hanga Roa Hospital staff has been extended by 40% and a new oxygen plant has been set up that will permit sufficient medical attention in case of Covid-19.

Pedro Edmunds, the Mayor of Rapa Nui said that hopes are high, and people are glad and satisfied to finally have their bridge open, not only for greeting guests, but also to enjoy the liberty to leave and return from the island.

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