Tourism in Peru
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Since the 2000s, Tourism in Peru makes up the nation's third largest industry, behind fishing and mining.
Transportation
Air
Peru does not have one clear national airline,
Highways
Peru has land borders with five countries and has highway connections with all but
Rail
The southern railway, operated by
River
Another mode of transportation in the
Data
Tourism is the third largest industry in Peru.
In 2000, about 1 million tourists visited Peru that year, with tourist activity increasing due to the decrease of guerrilla activity.[7] By 2017, more than 4 million tourists were visiting the country annually.[8]
Arrivals by country
Most visitors arriving in Peru on a short-term basis in 2017 were from the following countries by nationality:[8]
Themes
Cultural tourism
Cultural tourism forms the largest sector of the tourism industry in Peru. Pre-Columbian civilizations – most notably the
.Tourists also visit the Spanish colonial architecture in many cities in Peru. Some of the most outstanding examples of Spanish colonial architecture are in the cities of Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco. These areas, many built over 500 years ago, demonstrate the superb architectural ingenuity of the colonists during the Viceroyalty of Peru. The city of Lima has many acclaimed museums holding works of art reflecting the diverse history of the country. These museums include the National Museum, National Museum of Anthropology, Archeology and History; Rafael Larco Herrera Archeological Museum, National Museum of Peruvian Culture, and Museum of Italian Art, among many others. There are also many museums outside Lima, including the Regional Museum of the National University of San Martin in Tarapoto, San Martin.
Ecotourism
The landscape of Peru is beautiful and diverse lending itself to tourism, and also ecotourism. The ecological diversity allows for ecotourism that is distinct for each region. Peru is home to mountains, rainforests, and miles of beaches that are all accessible to ecotourists looking to absorb all that Peru has to offer. 60% of the land of Peru is in the
The need for environmentally conscious economic opportunity in Peru is apparent. Many Peruvians have resorted to financial income channels that are harmful to the environment because environmental degradation and changes in the country have caused a decline in alternative economic opportunities.[9] Illegal logging as a source of income is a dominant example of this and a product of the lack of economic opportunity in many regions in Peru.[10] Not only is illegal logging extremely harmful to the environment, but it also is damaging to local and indigenous livelihoods.[11] By creating alternatives to this, like ecotourism, there is an opportunity for ecological conservation, economic development, and political empowerment of local and indigenous communities in Peru.
Increased ecotourism has prompted increased tourist infrastructure. Nearly 1 million hectares and counting of the rainforest has been decimated between 2001 and 2015 with the following main causes:
The Peruvian Amazon is divided into two areas: the High Jungle and the Lower Jungle. The High Jungle is more easily accessible, while the Lower Jungle is more pristine and untouched. In recent times, however, the government has increased accessibility to the Lower Jungle. Both areas contain an unrivaled diversity of animal and plant life. Large
In the
In the Piuria region, tourists flock to the gorgeous beaches and there are lots of surfers who travel in order to catch the waves. There are lots of beaches near Talara, "tourist capital of Piuria"[14] and since it is located on the Equator, there is beautiful weather all year round. Along with beaches and surfing, Piuria boasts of forest, wildlife, and its own distinct dry forest ecosystem. The non-profit organization, Ecoswell, now offers opportunities for dry forest ecotourism in Piuria, specifically in Lobitos and surrounding towns.[15] EcoSwell employs locals who understand the land and show ecotourists the best parts.
Adventure tourism
Because of Peru's geographical diversity, it is possible to go
Peru is divided into three geographical regions: the coast, the sierra, and the jungle. Each one has numerous activities suited to its particular climate and environment. The sport of skiing is developing in the city of
For more information on adventure tourism see the Ancash section of this article below.
Gastronomic tourism
Peruvian cuisine stems mainly from the combination of Spanish cuisine with traditional Andean ingredients, as well later influences from the cuisines of China, Italy, West Africa and Japan, due to the arrival of immigrants from those locations. Each of these cuisines has had to be heavily adapted because of a lack or scarcity of many ingredients. For example, it is still impossible to find such commonplace items as lemons,
The three traditional staples of Peruvian cuisine are corn, potatoes and beans. These ingredients have been combined with a number of staples brought by the Spanish, such as rice, wheat and meat (such as beef, pork and chicken). Many traditional foods, such as
Traditional foods in the coast, mountains, and jungle are markedly different from each other. Because of this, the local gastronomy depends greatly on what part of Peru one visits.[16]
Beach tourism
Peru boasts a 2,414-kilometer coastline littered with many beaches attractive to any type of traveler. Beachgoing in Peru is extremely popular among domestic and international travelers alike. Beach resorts and towns are abundant along the coast and many are in popular areas which attract visitors. Two of the most popular beach areas are
The northern beaches of Máncora and Punta Sal have a pleasant beach climate year round whereas Asia is primarily a summertime beach. Because Asia is located near the city of Lima, many beachgoers own houses in that area. In contrast, Máncora is many hours from major cities so visitors usually stay in hotels or resorts.
Beachgoing in Peru is affected by fads: Beach homeowners moved from beach to beach resulting from the oversaturation of one beach. In previous years, the beach of
. In the last decade, these beaches have become oversaturated as well and beachgoers have moved further south to the development of Asia, which has now become extremely popular and is the primary beach destination for Limeans.Máncora, 17 hours north of Lima by bus and 1.5 hours by plane from Talara, is older than Asia but still a relatively new development. In recent years it has experienced a tourist boom and beachgoers flock there. Its beaches have white sand and the town has many nightclubs and bars frequented by thousands of tourists. The popularity of this beach has become so great that a movie has been made about the beach: Máncora. Punta Sal is another beach a half-hour north of Mancora, less popular among young people, and the destination for older people seeking relaxation. Nonetheless, it remains a large tourist attraction and is characterized by its white sand beaches and turquoise color waters. Peruvian beaches are popular places for surfing and their waves are world-renowned.
Peru is a recognized location for surfing. In and around
Luxury travel
Peru has also been experiencing a continuous growth in luxury travel, particularly from around 2005 onwards.[ in Arequipa, as the government, local authorities and local and international travel firms have made large investments in hotels, infrastructure and other tourism development.
The addition of the a luxury train route[19] between Arequipa and Cusco has added a significant luxury mark to this part of Peru.
The Peruvian government has made major efforts at securing international investment in the country's high-end tourism industry, particularly in emerging markets.[20] There are investors from major international hotel chains willing to invest millions of dollars (upwards of US$10 million) in 5-star hotels and resorts in the Mancora and Punta Sal area under capital investment or joint venture schemes. The investors are comprised by more than 115 investment funds of the U.S. and Europe.
World Heritage Sites and National Parks
There are eleven locations in Peru designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, three of these places being national parks. These monuments receive many tourists due to their uniqueness, aesthetic attraction, and cultural significance.
World Heritage Sites
|
National Parks
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Awards
Peru has received a number of tourism awards.
World Travel Awards
Peru has been recognized by the World Travel Awards on numerous occasions.[21]
Year | Category | Result |
---|---|---|
2012 | World's Leading Culinary Destination | Won |
World's Leading Green Destination | ||
2013 | World's Leading Culinary Destination | Won |
2014 | World's Leading Culinary Destination | Won |
World's Leading Tourism Authority Website | ||
2015 | World's Leading Culinary Destination | Won |
2016 | World's Leading Culinary Destination | Won |
2017 | World's Leading Culinary Destination | Won |
World's Leading Tourist Attraction | ||
2018 | World's Leading Culinary Destination | Won |
World's Leading Cultural Destination | ||
World's Leading Tourist Attraction | ||
2019 | World's Leading Culinary Destination | Won |
World's Leading Cultural Destination |
Other awards
Peru has been recognized by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards.[22]
Year | Category | Recipient | Issuer |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Top Countries of the World | Peru | Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards |
Top 30 Hotels in South America | |||
2021 | Best Resorts in the World | Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collections Resort | Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards |
See also
References
- ^ "Ciudades o Lugares mas Visitados en el Peru, 1998" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
- ^ "Turismo Total y Exportaciones, 1989–98" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 January 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
- ^ Peru Travel – Peru.com – Trip to Peru, perfect vacation, tours to Perú, reservations, package tours, testimonials, hotels, restaurants, traveler's guide, tours, visas, transpo... Archived 23 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Perú logra mayor crecimiento turístico en América del Sur" (in Spanish). Xinhua News Agency. 30 September 2004. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
- ^ Campodónico, Humberto (April 2005). "Perú: Sin línea aérea de bandera y sin marina mercante" (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 July 2012.
- ^ "Perú supedita crecimiento de turismo en 2008 al aumento de la capacidad aérea". El Economista (in Spanish). Spain. 2003. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
- ISBN 9780789488053.
- ^ Ministry of Foreign Commerce and Tourism of Peru. April 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- S2CID 219184113.
- ^ a b c "Engineering For People Design Brief" (PDF). EcoSwell. August 2020.
- ^ VonZabern, Karl (2018). "From Protests to Policy: How the Institutionalization of Indigenous Movements Affects Environmental Policy Related to Resource Extraction in Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia". Carolina Digital Repository.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Finer, Matt (14 February 2017). "MAAP SÍNTESIS #2: PATRONES Y DRIVERS DE DEFORESTACIÓN EN LA..." MAAP (in European Spanish). Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "Parque Nacional Huascarán (in Spanish)" (PDF). parkswatch.org. Parkswatch.
- ^ "Engineers Without Borders UK". Engineers Without Borders UK. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
- ^ "EcoSwell". EcoSwell. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
- ^ "Food in Peru: The Ultimate Traveler's Guide - 14 Yummy Dishes". 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Our Travel Tips for Northern Peru- Start Your Trip Now!". 8 October 2019.
- ^ S2CID 189997134.
- ^ "Belmond Andean Explorer, Arequipa, Cusco, Peru | Out There magazine | Luxury and Experiential Travel Inspiration". OutThere | Experiential Luxury Travel. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "Peru to promote tourism and investment at ITB Asia trade fair". www.andina.com.pe. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012.
- ^ "World Travel Awards | Search - Peru". World Travel Awards. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
- ^ "Peru ranks among the best countries in the world in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler magazine award". www.peru.travel. Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
External links
- Iperú Tourist Information and Assistance
- Ananda Cohen Suarez (May 2016). "Painting Beyond the Frame: Religious Murals of Colonial Peru". MAVCOR of the Yale University.