Where Are the Tourists?

January 12, 2016 | Pulitzer Center

Max Radwin

A plaza was built in honor of the Pehuenche in the nearest town of Ralco after members of the community were relocated by flooding caused by dam construction in the early 2000s. Image by Max Radwin. Chile, 2015.

Just off the plaza is a museum dedicated to Mapuche-Pehuenche culture. Image by Max Radwin. Chile, 2015.

Investment in Ralco’s infrastructure was partly intended to build a tourism base for those looking to experience the Andes and indigenous culture. However, the town is often so empty that it feels like a movie set. Image by Max Radwin. Chile, 2015.

The tourism office in Ralco Lepoy, is completely abandoned. Image by Max Radwin. Chile, 2015.

Many members of the community say the Pehuenche do not want a tourism industry to alter their culture. And those who do want the industry don’t know how to support it. Image by Max Radwin. Chile, 2015.

The national reserve up the mountain is so hard to reach that it barely receives any visitors. Image by Max Radwin. Chile, 2015.

The lack of accessibility prevents many people from experiencing the beauty of this region of Chile’s cordillera, such as this view of the Bío Bío River. Image by Max Radwin. Chile, 2015.

Journalist Max Radwin covers the tourism industry in Ralco, a town located in the Andes Mountains. He looks at the problems that occur with the Mapuche-Pehuenche while the city attempts to attract more tourism.