PERU: Incoming Foreign Tourists Increase

December 2016 was a busy month, though the report shows less arrivals came with work visas. Can you guess which nationality had the greatest count of arrivals?

What could have possibly been driving a greater number of tourists to visit Peru last December? Was it the warming temperatures as summer innocently crept into our lives, the year-round offering of delicious food, or perhaps looking for a brighter future outside of their country?

According to INEI (National Institute of Statistics and Information) a 13% increase of foreigners arrived in December 2016 as compared to the same month of 2015. More than 404,000 tourists, diplomats, among others, landed at Lima’s Jorge Chavez International airport the final month of the year alone.

Interestingly, INEI notes that despite more incoming foreigners, there was a 3.1% decrease in those arriving with work visas.

Of those taken into account, 26.4% of arrivals were of US American nationality. Chileans (8.1%), Colombians (7.7%), Argentinians (7.4%), and Spaniards (6.4%) rounded out the top five nationalities to arrive to the capital’s airport.

Peruvians themselves were also on the move, as INEI reports over 298,000 Peruvians traveled abroad that month, a 7% increase as compared to the year prior. The principal destination was the United States (27.4%), followed in popularity by Spain (11%) and Chile (10.3%).

Peru’s southern Arequipa region has attracted over 1.5 million visitors so far this year, said Miguel Apaza Peña, regional foreign trade and tourism manager.

This 6 percent increase reflects 1.3 million domestic visitors and just over 200,000 foreign visitors.

The influx of domestic tourism relects Peruvians’ increasing interest within their own country despite the time of year; the influx of foreign tourists only happened during certain months.

The Regional Foreign Trade and Tourism Management has a goal to increase the tourist inflow by 10 percent in 2017.

This can be achievable through the international conferences Arequipa has been chosen to host come next year. One such conference is the Mining Convention put together by the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers.

These events are an opportunity to get more people interested in the city and its tourist attractions, since many take advantage of their academic stay in Arequipa to go sightseeing.

During the APEC holiday in Lima, thousands are traveling to enjoy the beaches of northern Peru. What are your plans?

Located in the extreme northwest region of Peru, the city of Tumbes is a popular travel destination throughout the year.

And as the city of Lima hosts the APEC conference next week, thousands of natives and visitors alike will visit this provincial capital.

According to Wilfredo Barrientos, the regional director of foreign trade and tourism, this November 17-19 are declared non-working holidays.

Many Limenos are traveling to take advantage of the holidays. Thus, companies are already advertising promotional packages…We expect around 8,000 visitors during these holidays, who will enjoy the best of the region, Barrientos said.

Tumbes for kids: Get to know the activities they can do

In preparations for the influx of visitors, local authorities are making arrangements for cleanliness and ideal beach access for all, including the main southern beaches: Canoas de Punta Sal, Zorritos and La Cruz.

Barrientos encouraged all visitors to research their travel destinations and utilized companies beforehand as well as to make reservations in advance for smoother trips.

For the third consecutive year, the Global Destination Index crowned Lima as the most visited city in Latin America.

For the third consecutive year, the Global Destination Index study by Mastercard placed Lima as the most visited city in Latin America with 4.3 million visitors during 2016.

For the report, 132 cities worldwide were included, divided into which ones had the most visitors per region. Nineteen cities in Latin America were rated and among the top selections are previous winners like Mexico DF and Punta Cana.

This recognition puts Lima among the most important cities in the world and adds to the important awards our country has already collected this year. Awards such as the Best Culinary destination in South America by the World Travel Awards and having the top two ranking restaurants in Latin America’s 50 Best list.

The Pincholla hot springs offer a new destination for tourists who want to witness volcanic activity.

Tourists flock to Arequipa for its beautiful scenery and trails, even more so in recent years. In fact, this month, approximately “120,000 tourists” are expected to visit Arequipa, estimated Arequipa’s Hotels, Restaurants and related Establishments Association (AHORA-Arequipa) Chairman Rafael Cornejo.

Now, a new tourist route arises: Pinchollo geysers, located in Arequipa´s Colca Valley. This unique natural attraction may increase tourism even more. State-run Colca Valley Autonomous Authority (Autocola) is promoting the Pinchollo hot springs, acccording to Andina News.

Caylloma Province Mayor Romulo Tinta claimed the Pinchollo springs are in the process of being improved for both domestic and foreign tourists.

One feature of the hot springs which people may be interested in is the constant steam rising, indicating volcanic activity. Water rises simultaneously with eruptions of the Sabancayay volcano, located 100 km northwest of Arequipa.

Additionally, Hualca Hualca peak is visible in the distance at the Pincholla geysers. Colca Valley also maintains its culture, which consists of towns dating back to pre-Incan times.

There is a lot to see and appreciate at Arequipa´s Colca Valley. Currently, the area receives few visitors, but that could change soon.

The Chamber of Tourism expects the Schengen visa waiver agreement to increase flow between Europe and Peru regions.

More than one million tourists arrived in Cusco in the first half of this year. This figure is destined to increase however, with the elimination of the Schengen visa, according to the Chairman of the Chamber of Tourism (Canatur) Jorge Jochamowitz.

The Chairman indicated that the tourist flow between Peru and the European Union will increase by 3% next year, once the elimination is in full force and biometric passports are implemented.

This month the National Superintendency of Migration (Migrations) announced that starting in December, the biometric passports will be issued to Peruvians, allowing them short-term travel to the Schengen region countries.

Jochamowitz said that the visa waiver agreement means a “vote of confidence to Peru” and will increase the lure as a travel destination for Europeans.

According to Jochamowitz, about 700,000 European tourists arrived in Peru in 2014, Their favored destinations include Arequipa, Cusco, Puno, Lima and the jungle.

Of the European travelers coming to Peru, the Spanish make up the highest percentage followed by German, French, English and Italian.

Once completed, will we see the ancient citadel become the Machu Picchu of the north?

Have you been to Kuelap, the fortified citadel in northern Peru?

Despite being one of the largest ancient monuments in the Americas, Kuelap has yet to receive the same amount of attention from tourists as Peru’s famed citadel, Machu Picchu.

Although Kuelap, noted for its exquisitely built round houses, sits at about half the altitude of Machu Picchu (3,000 m.a.s.l., as compared to 7,000-plus m.a.s.l. of the Incan fortress), the ease of getting to the Kuelap site has always been an issue.

Travel to the Amazonas region and visit: Kuelap

In the next few weeks however, we can expect that to change. According to Eduardo Ferrereyos, Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, a cable car service stretching 4 km should be completed by the end of January or early February of this year.

The service aims to increase tourism to the Amazonas region gem, by cutting the travel time (typically done by car) from 1 hour 30 minutes to as quick as 20 minutes. Tthere will 26 cabins with the capacity to hold 8 passengers each. Round-trip tickets will run S/ 20.

Back in December 2016, the minister noted locals would be able to ride for free during an initial 10-day trial period.

We are working in different ways to boost private investments, so the area has all services to cater for tourists, such as hotels, Ferreyros told local station TV Peru.

In October 2016, LATAM began offering direct flights from Lima to Jaen, a significant boost for tourism in Chachapoyas, a town in northern Peru just hours from Jaen. From here, travelers can take a 2 hour 30 minute drive to Kuelap.

Built between 500 and 800 AC by the Chachapoya civilization, the well-preserved remnants of Kuelap have led archaeologists to label it a fortress as well as a religious or administrative center.

Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel aims to delight the senses with the latest series of web videos in mark of their renovation.

What makes for an unforgettable journey?

Is it one that forces you to step out of your comfort zone or, perhaps, a journey so freeing that you feel like a completely different person?

Whatever may be the cause for its significance, an unforgettable journey is no doubt full of stories – some of which you’ll share with friends and family back home, and others that are better kept private.

Nestled in the foothills of the sanctuary sits Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, which boasts itself as the “only five-star hotel in Machu Picchu town.” The company promises to combine luxury with responsible tourism, though these factors really play backdrop to the magical setting.

The hotel has recently gone under a renovation and is on its way to celebrating 10 years.

Does this video make you want to experience what it’s like “immersing yourself into an unknown culture, while feeling catered for as if at home”?

We have just one question: who’s doing the catering at home, and how can we sign up?