SANTIAGO, Sept. 2, 2025 — A push to make September 17 a national holiday in Chile is reigniting, despite a previous congressional rejection.
Lawmakers are again seeking a national holiday on September 17.
- A deputy is seeking government sponsorship for a September 17 national holiday.
- The proposal aims to boost tourism and trade.
- The holiday would not be mandatory to avoid disrupting commerce.
- The Undersecretary of Tourism has not yet received a formal request for sponsorship.
The proposal to recognize September 17 as a national holiday is being revived, with an independent deputy aiming to secure government backing. The initiative, according to the legislator, is intended to “promote tourism and trade in our country.” Notably, this proposed holiday would not be mandatory to prevent negative impacts on businesses.
Government Response
This Tuesday, during a press briefing, Undersecretary of Tourism Verónica Pardo addressed the matter, clarifying that a formal request for sponsorship has not yet been received. “We have not had the formal request,” Pardo stated. “When that happens, we will deliver the information based on the projections of tourist movement; it will be the information we can deliver to make the best decision.”
Pardo emphasized the importance of reviewing data, noting that during traditional holiday periods, such as the “dieciocho” holidays, expenses generally increase across various locations. However, she also pointed out a reduction in spending at traditional restaurants, which can create challenges for the industry.
“We will undoubtedly deliver all relevant data at the moment to provide information to the deputies who are pushing this initiative,” she added. “Based on that, they can see where each of the tourists comes from, from which regions and to which regions they go.”
The undersecretary highlighted that most tourist movement originates from the Metropolitan Region, Biobío, and O’Higgins, with destinations including Valparaíso, Biobío, Coquimbo, and also O’Higgins. “With that data, we can support good decision-making,” Pardo concluded.
