There are many current events happening in Chile, however this one really caught my eye.
The HidroAysen Controversy
Enviornmentalists have recently protested a permit that would allow for the descruction of over 14,000 acres of land, including forests and farmlands, for the flooding of HidroAysen. The idea behind the Hidro plant is to prevent the ongoing problem of blackouts in Santiago, Chile, some 2400 km aways. A powerline would then run from Aysen, Chile (in the patagonia region) to Santiago. Protestors argue that this would "cut through enviornmently sensitive areas". On the flip side the country's "economy is growing at 6% a year and needs an equivalent expansion in electricity generation."
As of today, May 10th, the plans were approved by the Chilean government Commision. It will cost an estimated $7 billion.
Some repurcussions of this approval will be that several farmers and families will loose their land and jobs will be lost, natural landscape would be altered and the fragile ecosystem will be comprimised.
It will be interesting to follow the presidents approval rating after today since he appointed the commissioned.
I have attached a few articles for furthur reading:
http://www.rechargenews.com/energy/wave_tidal_hydro/article253955.ece?WT.mc_id=rechargenews_
http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_18029427
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Tourism and its Economy
In 2007, the World Travel and Tourism Council announced a strong growth in Chilean tourism. The out was great for Chile in that the economy would improve and jobs would be created. According to the WTTC President, Jean-Claude Baumgarten "Chile faces great opportunities to make Travel & Tourism a strategic priority and to develop its own plans to realize the full potential that this industry can bring to job creation and economic development for the country. It must however ensure that it has the infrastructure to meet with the high demand."
The following is a copy of the press release: http://www.wttc.org/eng/Tourism_News/Press_Releases/Press_Releases_2007/Travel_and_Tourism_in_Chile_growing_fast/
However, as the world suffered from the financial crisis of 2008, so did Chiles tourism throughout 2009. The H1N1 epidemic was also the cause of a slowed economy. Many jobs thought to be created with the analysis of 2007 ceased to exist. A another major blow came in early 2010 with a tragic 8.8 earthquake. Not only did the quake cost Chile billions, but the tourists became afraid to travel which led to many cancelations. An article released by mercopress describes the impact: http://en.mercopress.com/2010/03/04/chile-s-tourism-industry-fears-long-term-effects-of-quake-and-aftershocks
Tourism seemed to increase later in 2010 after the world took interest in the Chilean miners rescue. An analysis predicted that the incoming tourism would increase because of the intense media following of the rescue would lead to an increase in interest in Chile as a country. According to the report by Euromonitor International the Bicentennial celebrations and the ‘Chile es tuyo’ campaign helped recover tourism in 2010.
Attached is the full summary of the 2010 analysis from the Euromonitor International:
http://www.euromonitor.com/travel-and-tourism-in-chile/report
The following is a copy of the press release: http://www.wttc.org/eng/Tourism_News/Press_Releases/Press_Releases_2007/Travel_and_Tourism_in_Chile_growing_fast/
However, as the world suffered from the financial crisis of 2008, so did Chiles tourism throughout 2009. The H1N1 epidemic was also the cause of a slowed economy. Many jobs thought to be created with the analysis of 2007 ceased to exist. A another major blow came in early 2010 with a tragic 8.8 earthquake. Not only did the quake cost Chile billions, but the tourists became afraid to travel which led to many cancelations. An article released by mercopress describes the impact: http://en.mercopress.com/2010/03/04/chile-s-tourism-industry-fears-long-term-effects-of-quake-and-aftershocks
Tourism seemed to increase later in 2010 after the world took interest in the Chilean miners rescue. An analysis predicted that the incoming tourism would increase because of the intense media following of the rescue would lead to an increase in interest in Chile as a country. According to the report by Euromonitor International the Bicentennial celebrations and the ‘Chile es tuyo’ campaign helped recover tourism in 2010.
Attached is the full summary of the 2010 analysis from the Euromonitor International:
http://www.euromonitor.com/travel-and-tourism-in-chile/report
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