LAS NUEVAS FRONTERAS DEL TURISMO
If we take diversity as an analog and apply it to economics, the energy matrix system, and other modern challenges, we observe that security and stability are the common objectives. This is logical, but we also need resilience in the system. So, if we want flexibility, diversity, stability, and security, then in most situations, local economies present a more stable and resilient model for the national economy. We operate at different levels and while Chile has to act as a nation, regional specificities have to be considered. Given the way the country’s regions interact, the differences in their resources, and the number of people that are supposed to be supported, fundamental analysis of trends needs to occur. AysÊn has a small population, where there are great disparities between rich and poor, and probably should not grow much more due to its carrying capacity relating to local food production. Unless there is a fully integrated system, we are at risk regarding long term security. This is especially true given the great distances between the north and south of the region and a great population concentration in the center. Striving for long term security, the food issue is of priority. If we have too many people in areas that cannot produce food, we are simply less stable. The Next Economy and diversification of production The diversity of economic sectors is important. Relying on one product instead of many, such as Chile has historically done with copper, was, and remains, a danger. Today we must embrace diversification and include other sectors, like forestry, fishing, agriculture, wine production and tourism. Chile has come a long way in diversifying its economy; although in some cases, such as aquiculture, the process is heading in the wrong direction. Industrial aquaculture has been favored as a development strategy in Chile, even when it produces many negative side effects (Mulsow&al, 2003). There has not been much of an effort to try and improve the sustainability of fish farming and other aquaculture activities. Chile could have a tremendous fish farm industry but it has to be much better managed. Chile needs to learn from Norway, which manages their traditional fishery really well. With between 90,000 and 95,000 kilometers of coastal shallow waters with high biological production, Chile has tremendous potential to have the most environmental friendly aquaculture in the world. While diversification of a national, macro level economy seems to be a prudent and intelligent idea, working from the bottom up is essential for strengthening all of the local economies involved. We must identify what are the real strengths and weaknesses of these different local economies. One of the weak spots of AysÊn is that while there could have been a well-managed, pastoral agriculture, it has been negatively affected by overly intensive pastoral agriculture practices. We are now left with the legacy of a large degraded surface. At one time, these same lands could have been useful for the development of sustainable agricultural practices. That is very difficult to do now. Today, forest biologists tell us that we need virtually all the biomass of the southern beech forest to be recycled in the nutrient recycling process, or the forest
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