( CNN ) -- Poaching tourists from the trendy tango bars of Buenos Aires or the glamorous beaches of Rio de Janeiro would be a tall task for most cities . But the Chilean capital , Santiago , is looking to do just that by encouraging travelers passing through on business to stay and uncover its potential as a hip South American destination . Chile has become one of the continent 's leading locations in which to do business in recent years . Foreign investment increased by 80 percent in 2011 alone , totaling $ 12 billion for the year according to Daniel Pardo , director of SERNATUR , the Chilean tourism ministry . As a result , the number of foreigners coming into the country for trade purposes has increased along a similarly sharp upward curve . This surge has been concentrated mainly in Santiago , Chile 's nerve center and economic engine room , and it 's here that Pardo and the country 's tourist board spy an as yet untapped opportunity . `` Hopefully by bringing out those business people that are coming here for a week to do their jobs ( they will ) stay for the weekend and enjoy the country , '' Pardo told CNN 's Richard Quest . `` There 's a lot of interest in coming to Chile , '' he adds . `` And we 've seen it in our numbers , with a 60 percent growth in tourism this year . '' See also : Exploring the mystery and beauty of Chile . Travelers who take up the invitation to hang around will find a variety of parks , churches and museums which offer a wealth of easily accessible tourist sites -- ideal for the culture vulture with a couple of hours to spare . For those with a little more time on their hands meanwhile there is even more to explore and experience around the city 's outskirts and beyond . With the Santiago business traveler in mind , CNN asked Lonely Planet 's Bridget Gleeson , co- author of Lonely Planet Chile and Easter Island Travel Guide , to lend her expertise in selecting the city 's best spots . In the city . Santiago offers an intriguing mix of both the modern and the classic . Historic sites such as the Catedral Metropolitana contrast sharply against the rowdy Mercado Central fish market , which offers `` a colorful attraction for photographers and foodies alike , '' says Gleeson . Touring the city 's downtown district on foot is a particularly nice way to explore Santiago , she adds , while the nearby Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda museum plays host to the finest Chilean modern art . Other Santiago highlights include Museo de la Moda ( Museum of Fashion ) in the Vitacura district -- which includes famed items such as John Lennon 's jacket and the famous `` cone bra '' Jean Paul Gaultier designed for Madonna -- and the 300 meter high San Cristobal lookout point . Valparaiso . The picturesque seaside resort of Valparaiso is a UNESCO world heritage site and a heaving modern port that is integral to Chile 's vast export industry . See also : Singapore on a stopover . A little under two hours from Santiago by road , the town is perched atop a dozen or so hills which offer spectacular vistas out across the Pacific Ocean . Vistors can `` tour ( the Chilean poet and author ) Pablo Neruda 's charming hilltop house , La Sebastiana '' or `` board one of Valparaiso 's 15 antique ascensores ( elevator cable cars ) ... to take in vibrant street art and stunning views over the ocean , '' says Gleeson . Those on a quick stop-off before heading back to Santiago however may make the most of their time by taking `` a quick boat ride from Muelle Prat ( harbor ) to get a feel for the city , '' Gleeson advises . Observatories . With an average of more than 330 cloudless nights per year , Chile is a near perfect natural laboratory for astronomers and stargazers . It is for this reason the country will host 68 percent of global astronomy infrastructure by 2018 , according to the national government . But you do n't have to be an acolyte of Alfred Hubble to enjoy the sparkling contents of the Chilean night sky . The Paielan Observatory in the Maipo Valley is just 50 kilometers from Santiago and is surrounded by a spectacular , unspoilt nature reserve . A world class restaurant on the premises meanwhile serves up the latest in contemporary Chilean cuisine , enabling visitors to enjoy fine dining under the stars . Wine regions . Chile is a major exporter of wine and visiting some of its fertile vineyards is a rite of passage for many a connoisseur . See also : Making the most of wine at 35,000 feet . Almost 17 million people drink a glass of Chilean wine every day and the country is the world 's largest grape exporter . `` Many travelers opt to visit a few wineries with a specialist like Uncorked Wine Tours , '' says Gleeson . These customized tours include an English-speaking guide , visits to three wineries and a leisurely lunch in wine country . Those looking to go it alone on a wine-tasting odyssey meanwhile can reach some of the lesser visited wineries in the Santiago region by public bus in little over an hour . If you 're planning an independent visit , Gleeson warns however , it is wise to log onto the wineries ' websites to find out about specialty tastings , picnics , and additional activities before setting out . Stina Backer contributed to this story .
Santiago aims to become one of Latin America 's leading tourist destinations by wooing business opportunities . Chile is already one of the continent 's leading countries in which to do business . Santiago offers an intriguing mix of the modern and historic , including idyllic beaches , gardens and parks .