2021 Easter Island tourism referendum
A referendum on reopening for tourism was held in Easter Island on 24 October 2021. Despite the importance of tourism to the island's economy, the proposal was rejected by 66% of voters. Voter turnout was around 20%.[1]
Background[]
The island was closed to visitors from 16 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the closure, there were only eight cases of COVID recorded (and no deaths), with the last case in September 2020.[1]
In October 2021 Ma'u Henu (the organisation responsible for running the island's parks) organised a referendum amongst the indigenous population on whether the island should reopen to tourists in January 2022.[2] Although the vote was consultative, the island authorities stated that they would respect the result.[2]
Results[]
Choice | Votes | % |
---|---|---|
No | 649 | 65.92 |
Yes | 320 | 34.08 |
Valid votes | 969 | 99.69 |
Invalid or blank votes | 3 | 0.31 |
Total votes | 972 | 100.00 |
Source: Direct Democracy |
References[]
Categories:
- 2021 in Chile
- 2021 referendums
- Referendums in Easter Island
- October 2021 events in Chile