Gu Jia/Shanghai Daily news

The Consulate General of the Republic of Chile is in Shanghai to accept applications for group tourist visas from local citizens as of this August 1, according to today's Oriental Morning Post.
Oscar Santelices, director general from the National Tourism Service of Chile, said that the opening of non-stop flights from China to Brazil this July would pave the way for mutual prosperity in the tourism sector.
The group visa application would be dealt with as usual, but without interviews.  Group visitors just need to prepare personal information for the approval of both travel agencies and the relevant Chinese administrations, Santelices explained.
In exchange for simplified visa application procedure, credit guarantees from local travel agencies are required.  The consulate will also implement certain approaches to increase supervision of local travel agencies, punishing those who do not follow regulations.
Chile is the first South American country to accept Chinese travelers since the signing of a memorandum of understanding in tourism. 
While the country received only a disappointing 770 Chinese visitors in 2004, this figure is expected to soar to 10 000 this year. 
The total traveling expenditure is around US$5 000 per person, with a round air ticket of US$2 500 from China to Chile.