Behind every memorable wine tourism experience in the Valparaíso – Casablanca Valley lies something deeper than vineyards, architecture, or gastronomy: people. The valley’s growth as one of Chile’s leading wine tourism destinations has been driven not only by the quality of its wines, but also by the development of a local workforce that understands, represents, and genuinely lives the identity of the territory.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Casablanca’s educational ecosystem is the existence of technical tourism training at the secondary education level, offering specialized programs that prepare students from an early age for careers connected to hospitality, guiding, tourism services, and visitor experiences. This allows young people to develop practical skills while strengthening their understanding of the cultural and natural heritage that defines the valley.
The educational opportunities connected to tourism also extend throughout the wider Valparaíso Region. The region is home to several universities and higher education institutions offering tourism-related careers, hospitality management, and gastronomy programs that contribute to the professionalization of the local workforce. Institutions such as Universidad de Valparaíso, and Duoc UC have developed academic programs linked to wine tourism, administration, hospitality, and service industries, helping prepare future professionals for the growing demands of wine tourism in the region.
Casablanca has also promoted continuous training opportunities for tourism stakeholders already working within the territory. A recent example is the initiative led by the Casablanca Municipal Tourist Office in collaboration with the Municipal Health Department, which organized three 22-hour first-aid workshops aimed at stakeholders in the Casablanca Valley tourism sector. These training sessions brought together restaurateurs, hoteliers, wine tourism guides, and students from the technical college specializing in Tourism Services, reinforcing the valley’s commitment to professional development, safety, and quality visitor experiences.
The connection between education and industry has created a strong sense of continuity within the territory. Many students who grow up in Casablanca later become part of the region’s wineries, restaurants, hotels, and tourism operations, contributing local knowledge that cannot easily be replicated elsewhere. Their familiarity with the valley’s traditions, harvest cycles, landscapes, and community values becomes an essential part of the visitor experience.
Cover: Casas del Bosque