| Work Detail |
Cerro Chapelco, the regions main ski resort, will be subject to a new tender after more than a decade of concession by the company Nieves del Chapelco. The process will be led by the Neuquén Ministry of Tourism, under new specifications that include infrastructure improvements, an expansion of the concession area, and greater participation by Mapuche communities. The resort currently has 28 slopes, 1,600 hectares of skiable surface, and 12 lifts with the capacity to transport up to 15,300 skiers per hour. The new concession will expand the area to 1,880 hectares and incorporate an investment plan that includes the construction of a restaurant and inn with capacity for 600 people and an environmental observatory for the Vera Mapuche community. The contract also establishes that both the Vera and Curruhuinca communities will play an active role in the permanent environmental monitoring committee. This body will evaluate any project that could generate environmental impact on the lands granted for use in the ski resort concession and will participate in the implementation of mitigation measures. In economic terms, the winning company must pay two types of fees. One is variable, equivalent to 2% of the annual net income from the resorts operation, secondary concessions, advertising, and contracts. The other fee will be fixed and consist of the equivalent of 3,300 daily passes during the high season, distributed equally among the Mapuche communities. If the average number of daily skiers exceeds 5,500, this amount will increase proportionally. Another requirement of the tender is the continued employment of current Nieves del Chapelco employees. The new company must take on the 30 permanent workers and approximately 360 temporary employees. In addition, it is required to join the Emplea Neuquén program, which requires at least 50% of new hires to be recruited through the provincial employment registry, except in cases requiring specific training or experience. The new tender for Cerro Chapelco seeks to modernize the facilities, improve the tourist experience, and ensure greater inclusion of indigenous communities in the management of the center, promoting sustainable and equitable development in the region. |
