Whale watching has become one of the most popular attractions ...

Whale watching has become one of the most popular attractions for tourists in Latin America: last year alone the number of travelers who come just for this, more than a million people.

Moreover, many South American countries, notably Chile, argue that whale watching can be a much more profitable and more profitable than their extermination. In Chile, have commercial whaling has already been banned, and along the coast will be organized the whale sanctuary.

According to official statistics, in 2006, whale watching has brought to Latin America about $ 80 million, reports Reuters. Total income from this industry is about $ 1 billion in 90 countries annually.

Now in South American waters are inhabited by about 64 species of whale, which is 75% of the world's diversity. It is worth noting that the whale watching - is a popular form of ecotourism around the world, such as Iceland, Australia and South Africa.

Brazil is also great for whale watching trips. Florianopolis, in Southern Brazil, is where southern right whales appear during the months of June to November. As June is winter in Florianopolis, it can be quite cold, so best to visit in October or November if you want to see whales, plus have a beach vacation (Brazilians will tell you that Florianopolis has Brazil’s best beaches).

At the same time of year (June to November), the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina sees the same right whale migrations - Puerto Madryn being the best base for whale watching trips.

Chile invites tourists...

Chile is preparing to take more and more tourists and promises its guests a multitude of different kinds of attractions. In this way, now it is developed the route "Chile Way", which will unite all the natural attractions of the country from north to south. The total length of the well-equipped route is 8500 kilometers. To overcome the selected areas will be possible on foot or by bicycle. In part, these roads have already been discovered in Patagonia and around Sanyago and fully route should be formed by 2015.

Still popular type of tourist attractions in Chile is whale watching. This is one of the best places in the world, here all year around you can see different kinds of whales. In the highlands tourists are offered a variety of winter classes - from alpine skiing to golf in the snow. There is a growing demand for wine, and on gastronomic tourism in the country. In addition, the coast of Chile is among the most popular cruises in South America.

It is worth noting that the race Paris - Dakar moved to South America until 2011. On the territory of Chile route will pass through the Atacama Desert and Patagonia. In addition to the direct participants in the race, the country expects to take a large number of spectators.

Global hotel chains are prepared to accommodate the growing number of tourists in Chile. A year ago there was opened Hotel & Spa Tierra Atacama - a small boutique hotel with the views of the volcano Licancabur. In March 2009, guests will take W Santiago -  the first luxurious hotel chain W in South America.