Astonishing Chile

Chile is truly one of the most remarkable places on Earth. A land of extremes and superlatives, this sliver of a country on the western edge of South America — 2,666 miles long, but only 110 miles wide — is home to both the world’s driest desert and rainiest place. From snow-capped volcanoes and icy fjords to sunny beaches, fertile vineyards and even Polynesian culture, Chile’s impossible geography excels in diversity like few other nations.

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But don’t take our word for it. TripAdvisor placed Santiago in its Top Ten South American destinations (ranked number 2) for 2015, while Travel + Leisure highlighted Chile for 2015. Fodor’s and Rough Guides include Patagonia and Chile as best places to visit in 2015 as well. But are you ready to respond and close sales to Chile?

Now Travel Agent Academy is here to help. Due to Chile’s wide range of climates, topography, tourism services and attractions, it’s critical for you to know this country well before advising clients. The new Chile Specialist course has been designed with this in mind. Sponsored by the private-sector initiative Turismo Chile (a 180-member marketing organization), the course and accompanying Resources get you ready to sell the country’s most marketable itineraries. We also empower you to explore Turismo Chile’s diverse member services for specialized tours, lodging in major cities and remote nature reserves, and more.

Chile offers a kaleidoscope of panoramas and settings. Surprises in this overawing, varied and pure geography, range from the Atacama Desert — the world’s driest — in the north to the fertile farmland of the central valley, and the lakes, forests and volcanoes of the south to the glaciers of Patagonia and Antarctica. Towering above all this and running the entire length of Chile is the long, serrated spine of the Andes, dotted with colossal peaks and smoldering volcanoes.

In each of Chile’s main geographic zones, its friendly people, top-notch accommodations and dining, and wealth of recreational opportunities, make Chile a must-see destination.

Your learning focuses on multi-city regional stays that are already in the marketplace from your favorite North American tour operators.

Remember, Chile’s seasons are opposite to those of North America. A couple of months after the ski season ends in North America, Chile’s world-class ski areas are open for business. During the Northern Hemisphere’s cold and dark winter months, Chile’s beaches are warm and inviting.

Chile Specialist Resources include a comprehensive Chile Marketing Kit bursting with images, maps, videos and regional brochures to easily share with clients. The program’s homepage www.chile-specialist.com is an ever-changing assortment of Chile news, package deals, videos, and the program’s companion Study Guide. All these resource are easily downloaded to efficiently share with your South America-bound clients.

But why stop with these customers! Help your Australia-bound Millennials explore Chile’s landscape and wildlife in a unique and personal way. Get your Britain lovers to experience Chilean culture — ancient, modern, and British — that contributes to the mystique of this nation. Get your foodie clients to savor Chilean wines, staying at lovely vineyard estates under sunny skies.

Chile Specialist will get you fluent in selling Chile’s unique experiences. Here’s just a sampling:

• Only in Chile can you stand at “el fin del mundo,” the Southern-most community on earth.
• Only in Chile can you come face-to-face with a wall of turquoise ice at the world’s only advancing glacier.
• Only in Chile can you walk among a million penguins guarding their nests.
• Only in Chile can you visit the world’s most unusual collection of ancient relics — mysterious giant statues carved from volcanic rock at the Rapa Nui National Park, also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Only in Chile can you visit the homes of Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda.
• Only in Chile can you savor and explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Valparaíso, with its historical importance, natural beauty and unique architecture.
• Only in Chile can you enjoy a bottle of world-class wine at the price of a gourmet coffee beverage.
• Only in Chile can you ski some of the most challenging slopes in the world, then catch Pacific waves in the afternoon – in the same day!
• Only in Chile can you trek through rugged landscapes to see the world’s most southerly cliff paintings.

What are you waiting for! Get started today at www.chile-specialist.com.