PERU NEWS - PERUVIAN TOURIST NEWS
Peru is the home to various pre-Columbian civilizations, most notably the Incan Empire, Chavin, Moche, and Nasca. The ruins of Machu Picchu are the most internationally recognized of all the ruins of Peru and therefore receive the most tourists. This is not to say that they are the only ones present as there are hundreds of other ruins not popularized to the magnitude as those of Machu Picchu. The most popular ruins, not including Machu Picchu, are that of Chan Chan, Sipan, Kuelap, Nazca lines, Ollantaytambo, Caral, Sacsayhuamán, and Sillustani. There are hundreds of others besides these. The other form of cultural tourism is directed towards the colonial architecture present in many cities in Peru. Some of the most astounding examples of Peruvian colonial architecture are located in the cities of Lima, Arequipa, Trujillo and Cusco.
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PERU GENERAL INFORMATION

Surface Area
With an area of 1,285,215 square km, Peru is the third-largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina, ranking it amongst the world's 20 largest nations.

Peru also holds sway over the sea up to 200 miles from the Peruvian coast and has territorial rights to an area of 60 million hectares in the Antarctic. Peru is divided into 24 departments. Lima is the capital of Peru.

Population
27.000.000 inhabitants.
- Urban: 72,3 %
- Rural: 27,7 %

Peru is a nation of mixed ethnic origins. Throughout its history, Peru has been the meeting ground for different nations and cultures. The indigenous population was joined 500 years ago by the Spaniards.

As a result of this encounter, and later enriched by the migration of African blacks, Asians and Europeans, Peruvian man emerged as the representative of a nation whose rich ethnic mix is one of its leading characteristics.

Language
- Spanish: 80,3%
- Quechua: 16,2%
- Other languages: 3,0%
- Foreign languages: 0,2%

Currency
The official currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (S/.), which is divided into 100 centimos. The currency includes coins for 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimos and 1, 2 and 5 sol coins. There are bills in the denomination of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Nuevos Soles.

Government
Peru is a democratic republic. The president and members of Congress are elected every five years by universal suffrage. The current constitutional president of Peru is Alan Garcia Pérez (2006-2011).

Religión
Roman Catholic: 89,03%
Evangelical: 6,73%
Other religions: 2,56%
Any Religion: 1.65%

Geography
Peru is divided into three regions: the coast, the highlands and the jungle.
Although this simple division is a fair portrait of Peru's geography, the reality is much richer and far more complex: in Peru, nature appears to have taken on particular characteristics which have turned its mountains, plains, jungles and valleys into unique habitats.
An extraordinary variety of eco-systems shelters a wide diversity of animals and plants.


FACTS ABOUT PERU

Peru: a privileged destination
Heir to ancient cultures and a rich colonial tradition, Perú is a magical spot which involves one of the richest biodiversities of Earth, and is a melting pot of different cultures who together are forging the promise of a better future.

Important hotel infrastructure
Important hotel infrastructure.
- 7.646 lodgings offering 131.624 rooms and 229.886 beds
- 26 five-star hotels, 26 four-star hotels, 487 three-star hotels
- 927 two star-hotels, 411 one star-hotels and 42 logdes.

Accessibility by air and land
- 14 airports equipped to receive commercial flights and 10 ready for international flights: Lima, Arequipa, Chiclayo, Pisco, Pucallpa, Iquitos, Cusco, Trujillo, Tacna and Juliaca.
- 17 airlines operating international flights
- 7 airline companies offering domestic flights
- More than 78,000 kilometers of highways, 8,084.26 of which are asphalted

Archaeological heritage
Ten thousand years of history are lived through 180 museums and historical places. While Peru inevitably evokes images of Machu Picchu and the Inca empire, the country is also riddled with archaeological sites which are a legacy of even more ancient times, when great civilizations bequeathed a legacy of their art, customs and rituals, their wisdom and skills.

Nature and Landscapes
- As home to 84 of the 104 life zones that exist on our plant makes Peru a privileged destination for nature lovers.
- Close to 20% of the worlds birds and 10% of the world's reptiles live here.
- Peru has converted 13% of its territory into Protected Natural Areas.

Festivities and Traditions
Peru is a country that sings and dances in joy and sadness with color and a great deal of paraphernalia. Peruvians celebrate some 3,000 festivals all over the country

Incomparable cuisine
Over 40,000 restaurants across the country reflect the diversity of a nation that has mixed its native traditions with the cuisines of Europe, Arabia, China, Africa and Japan. The result: unique flavours that make Peruvian cuisine one of the best and most varied in the world.

 

   

PERU TOURS - PERU TRAVEL - PERUVIAN TOURS
Peru is a magical spot which involves one of the richest biodiversities of Earth, and is a melting pot of different cultures. Peru, the most fascinating destination in South America. Visit Peruvian highlights cities: travel to Cusco, explore the incredible sites of Machu Picchu, Choquequirao, Chan Chan or Sipán, overfly the Nazca Lines, go into Manu rainforest, navigate the Titicaca Lake or walk the Inca Trail. Practice your favourite adventure sport in the coast, rivers or mountains, or be in touch with the widest variety of flora and fauna of the Peru Amazon jungle. Visitors will be amazed by Peru’s vast geography, its flora and fauna, its rich culture and its diverse people. Peruvian Tours is the best and most informative site on Peru for travel and tourism. You can pick the touryou like or you can book a complete program with us. We have a team of professional sales executives to assist you.
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PERU TOURISM NEWS

 

 Peru to open trade office in Tel Avi, Israel
  
Lima, Mar. 23.
 Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, or Mincetur has announced the opening of a Commercial Office of Peru Abroad (OCEX for its Spanish acronym) in Tel Avi, one of the most important cities in Israel.
Photo: ANDINA/Carlos Lezama
Photo: ANDINA/Carlos Lezama
According to a supreme resolution issued on Sunday, the new  OCEX  aims to contribute to the sustainable growth of Peru by promoting its exports of goods and services.

It also seeks to promote tourism and business opportunities with the aim to lure Israeli investments, as part of the National Strategic Plan for Tourism (Pentur) and the National Strategic Export Plan (Penx).

In addition, it was ordered the closure of the OCEX in the city of Rabat, in Morocco, since it will be replaced by a new trade office in the city of Casablanca in the same country. 

This is because the city of Casablanca is the economic, commercial and financial center of Morocco.  It hosts major industries and businesses, as well one of the largest artificial ports in the world, and the largest port of North Africa.

 

 

 

Peru to receive nine luxury cruise ships in 2014
  
Lima, Mar. 21.
 Nine luxury cruise ships with more than 15,000 tourists on board are expected to dock in Peru this year, Peruvian Trade and Tourism Minister Magali Silva said on Thursday.
Peru
Peru's Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Magali Silva.

The minister said that the arrival of these cruise ships will greatly contribute to tourism growth in the Andean country, which attracted 3.2 million foreign visitors in 2013.

"We are now in peak season and we expect to receive nine luxury cruise ships with 15,000 tourists until May this year," said Magali Silva.

Minister Silva welcomed the first international cruise ship to dock at Peru's main port of Callao this year, as Golden Princess arrived from Miami on Thursday, Mar. 20.

The second cruise ship, Celebrity Infinity, was scheduled to dock at the Muelle Norte of Callao on Friday, bringing in a large number of visitors. The two cruise ships are carrying more than 2,000 passengers on board.

According to Silva, most of these passengers will travel to Cusco to visit Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world.

"This is a sign that tourism continues to grow in the country. Last year we received 3.2 million foreign tourists and we hope to reach the 4 million mark over the coming years," Silva added.

 

Peru to host Mistura food festival on Sept. 5-11
  
Lima, Mar. 19. Mistura, the largest food festival in South America, will take place for the seventh year in Peru's capital city of Lima from September 5 to 11, 2014, the Peruvian Gastronomy Association (Apega) has announced.
ANDINA/archivo
ANDINA/archivo

More than a half million people are expected to attend the 10-day festival, including chefs and foodies from all around the world.

Event organizers Apega also hope to attract over 25,000 foreign tourists, mostly from the United States, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil.

For a second year, Mistura, which means mixture, will be held seaside on the Costa Verde of Magdalena del Mar, a short distance north of the popular Miraflores district.

Established in 2007, Apega aims to promote Peruvian cuisine as a basis for cultural identity and as a factor in the economic development, progress and wellbeing of all Peruvians.

For more information about Mistura, please visit www.mistura.pe

 

Peru to promote tourist destinations in Mexico
  
Lima, Mar. 17. Peru's export and tourism promotion board PromPeru will participate in the 2014 Expo Mayoristas 2014, the leading tourism and largest travel fair in Mexico.
Photo: ANDINA
Photo: ANDINA
This year's edition of the travel show will take on March 20-21, 2014, in the cities of Mexico D.F. and Merida.

At the event the government agency will promote the main tourist Peruvian destinations among the most important Mexican tour operators.

Likewise, PromPeru is scheduled to  take part of the "Door to Door" event to be held in Mexican capital from March 17-19, 2014.

This four-day event will provide tour operators from the Aztec country updated information about tourist destinations in the Andean country with the aim to attract more visitors and foreign investors.

 

 

Peruvian cuisine shines at major food festival in Singapore
  

Lima, Mar. 14. The flavors of Peru's world-renowned cuisine made a splash during the just-held Savour Food Festival in Singapore, the largest gourmet event in the Southeast Asian country.
Peruvian chefs Daniel Chavez and Antonio Benites.
Peruvian chefs Daniel Chavez and Antonio Benites.
 

Representing Peru for the first time at the March 5-9 event was a group of Peruvian chefs led by Daniel Chavez, chef-owner of the successful Ola Cocina del Mar restaurant in Singapore.

In his keynote speech, Chavez enlightened the audience about the variety of seafood dishes and products available in the Andean nation; while his compatriot Antonio Benites talked about the quality of Peruvian chocolate.

Antonio Benites is the chief pastry chef at Joël Robuchon Restaurant, one of Singapore's best eateries.

Over 17,000 people attended Savour 2014, which featured Michelin star chefs and award-winning cuisine from around the world.

 

Paul McCartney to play Peru next month
  

Lima, Mar. 13. Music legend Paul McCartney will return to Peru to play a concert at Lima's National Stadium on April 25, 2014.
Paul Mc Cartney is set to give a performance in Peru at Lima
Paul Mc Cartney is set to give a performance in Peru
at Lima's National Stadium on April 25th.
 

The former Beatle performed his first ever concert in the Andean nation in 2009 with a 50,000-strong crowd at the capital's Monumental Stadium.

Beatle fans, music-goers and wings' followers are delighted with the confirmed news which was announced on Thursday morning through McCartney's official Twitter and Facebook pages.

McCartney is expected to rock out classic Beatles, Wings and solo material at the gig this April, along with selections from his latest studio album, New.

This concert will be part of Sir Paul's 2014 Out There! tour which opening show is scheduled at Santiago, Chile's Movistar Arena on April 21.

Likewise, the 71-year-old singer sent greetings to his Peruvian fans through a youtube video invited them to attend his next month's memorable concert.

 

Peru returns to Russia's largest travel exhibit this month
  

Lima, Mar. 13.
 Peru's export and tourism promotion board PromPeru has confirmed its participation in the 2014 Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition (MITT), the leading and largest travel show in Russia.
Moscow, Russia.
Moscow, Russia.

The 21st edition of MITT will take place on March 19-22, 2014 at Expocentre in the heart of Moscow.

After a six-year absence, PromPeru will be present at the event with nine tourism professionals charged with promoting the cultural, historical, natural and culinary attractions of the country.

"These Peruvian exhibitors aim to hold at least 300 business meetings with international companies in order to boost the tourism sector in Peru," the government agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

In addition, PromPeru will take the opportunity to launch its international campaign "Peru, Empire of Hidden Treasures" in Russian language.

According to official data, Peru received a total of 8,966 tourists from Russia in 2013, a 5 percent increase over 2012. On average, Russian travelers stay for 12 nights and spend approximately $2,243 per day.

About MITT

With over 1,800 participating companies and 198 destinations, MITT is the key meeting place for the industry and an opportunity to catch up with colleagues and clients.

In addition, MITT enables participants to increase awareness of their destination, gain a real feel for the Russian travel market and gauge demand for their services.

 

Peru, world leader in protecting genetic resources
  

Lima, Mar. 10. For more than 10 years, Peru has developed a number of actions that have positioned it as the world leader in the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledges, Peru's National Biopiracy Commision has reported.
Photo: ANDINA/Juan Carlos Guzmán Negrini.
Photo: ANDINA/Juan Carlos Guzmán Negrini.
"We have a law that establishes a regimen of protection for the collective knowledge of the indigenous peoples linked to biological resources. This law is unique, and it is considered all over the world as an example," Andrés Valladolid, head  of Peru’s National Biopiracy Commission said to the official Gazette "El Peruano".

Peru is now supporting Ecuador on matters such as management and conservation  of their genetic resources and traditional knowledges. “We are supporting Ecuador as they implement a system like ours.  It [Ecuador] is very advanced, while Bolivia and Colombia are just beginning to get organized,” stated Valladolid.

He explained that up-to now, the entity has identified 18 cases of biopiracy related to genetic resources  of Peruvian origin and traditional knowledges, of which 12 have been resolved by the government.

The cases are linked to maca, sacha inchi, yacon, camu camu and pasuchaca, which have been used by indigenous communities for their beneficial health effects for centuries. However, some foreign enterprises had attempted to patent them as their own discoveries, which represent a clear example of biopiracy. 

“In the case of maca, a company patented its extract in 2002,” said Valladolid and added “Since then, they developed a line of products that reported [earnings of] US$200,000 monthly. In one year, that is  US$2.4 million, and in ten years, more than US$20 million, which was not given to Peru".

 

Peruvian first lady, Queen of Netherlands praise women's entrepreneurship skills
  
Lima, Mar. 08. Peruvian First Lady Nadine Heredia and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands participated in an event for female entrepreneurs organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Lima on Friday.
ANDINA/Prensa Presidencia
ANDINA/Prensa Presidencia

Speaking at the “Women Entrepreneurs, Inclusion and the Future” conference in the Peruvian capital, Nadine Heredia welcomed the efforts being made across the public and private sectors to support women entrepreneurs so that they can be "autonomous and independent."

"On the road to financial inclusion, we will find thousands of women who will seize these opportunities to change the course of their lives. This requires the participation of the public and private sectors, civil society, and international cooperation," she said.

Addressing over 200 women entrepreneurs and business and development experts in attendance, Heredia highlighted the commitment of and progress made by the Peruvian government in promoting financial inclusion in the country, especially when it comes to people living in poverty and extreme poverty.

"After two and a half years of this administration, the beneficiaries of [social] programs like Juntos andPensión 65 get their money transfers straight into their savings accounts. That is include to grow," she said. "More than a million people, including students under the Beca 18 scholarship program, hold savings accounts while others already have and use their debit cards."

For her part, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who arrived in Lima on Wednesday in her capacity as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, said she was grateful for the opportunity to hear about the experiences of Peruvian women entrepreneurs, and also shared her views on how to continue supporting their accomplishments.

Friday's event marked the closing of a successful partnership between IDB's Multilateral Investment Fund, Mibanco, the government of Australia, Goldman Sachs Foundation, and Thunderbird School of Global Management, which invested in women entrepreneurs in Peru through two progams: one which taught basic business skills to 100,000 women; the other a more intensive Certificate program for established small and medium business owners.

 

Peru promoted as stand-alone destination in India
  
Lima, Mar. 08. Mumbai-based Aurora Travel Tours Pvt. Ltd. is looking at promoting Peru as a stand-alone destination in the Indian market, company's director Dhaval Jangla has announced.
ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán
ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán

"Peru has a gamut of tourism products to offer to various travel segments. Besides being a destination of niche travelers, it is a paradise for budget and luxury travelers. The country has diverse offerings, including a rich history and culture, great wildlife, adventure, beaches, gastronomy, etc."

"Travelers can experience the historical significance of the country; take a look at the colonial architecture; experience adventure activities like trekking (there are five famous trekking trails in Peru), bird watching, diving and river cruises; and tour the villages to explore the local handicraft," he continued.

"We have an itinerary ranging from five days to 25 days. However, a 12-day itinerary is ideal to explore the beauty of Peru."

Talking about the capital city, Lima, that was founded in 1535, Dhaval said, "The Cathedral of Lima is placed where the first Main Church of Lima was. The interior is austere, although it shelters real historic jewels like the finely-carved wooden pews of the Baltasar Noguera choir, different side altars, and the remains of Francisco Pizarro. In addition, one can visit the Museum of Religious Art that possesses an important collection of canvases, sculptures, chalices and chasubles."

About Peru's famous tourist attraction, Machu Picchu, Dhaval said, "Travellers can experience the city of Machu Picchu, which is considered to be one of the most extraordinary examples of historic architecture in the world. The city of Machu Picchu itself was built on the top of a granite mountain.

The Incas, using ingenious engineering techniques, were able to transport heavy stone blocks up the mountain, and once there, they used their excellent masonry skills to produce amazingly polished stones that fit together perfectly. The historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu encompasses 32,520 hectares, which house unique flora and fauna, an architectural masterpiece.”

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cusco (meaning ‘Navel of the World’ in the Quechuan language) was the capital of the Incan Empire. It is a beautiful city with well-preserved colonial architecture, evidence of a rich and complex history. Cusco remains the primary travel destination. People come to wander on the cobblestone streets, marvel at the Spanish cathedral and monasteries built atop massive Inca walls, eat alpaca steaks and sweet corn, and party until dawn at the city's nightclubs, informed Dhaval.

Speaking about the cuisines in Peru, Dhaval said, "During the trip, one must remember to sample one of the best cuisines in the world. Peru offers a wide variety of restaurants and inviting locales where you will be able to taste delicious dishes, the result of the mixing of European, African, Asian, and Andean cuisines.”

At about 15 kms from the capital, and 600 mts downwards, lies the Sacred Valley, a place of outstanding natural beauty, as Pisac illustrates it, travelbismonitor.com reported.

Speaking about Iquitos, which is the largest city in the world that cannot be reached by road, Dhaval said, "Linked to the world only by the Amazon River and air, Iquitos is the main port city on the Amazon River and the largest city in the Peruvian jungle. Different indigenous groups of people like the Cocama, Huitoto, and Bora first inhabited the area. Then came the Jesuit missionaries who founded the city. At the end of the 19th century was when Iquitos experienced its greatest economic glory due to the rubber industry."

 

Machu Picchu among 'world's best ruins'
  
Lima, Mar. 07. Peru's ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu has been mentioned among the world's best ruins, according to a list published recently in the online travel section of UK newspaper The Telegraph.
Machu Picchu is the top tourist destination in Peru.
Machu Picchu is the top tourist destination in Peru.
 

In addition to Machu Picchu, the list includes famous sites like Angkor in Cambodia, Pompeii in Italy, Chichen Itza in Mexico, and Petra in Jordan, as well as other lesser-known attractions such as Marae Anini in French Polynesia, Nan Madol in Micronesia, and the Pueblo dwellings at Mesa Verde in Colorado.

"The draw of Machu Picchu (which means “old mountain” in the Quechua language) is obvious: a 550-year old citadel built by the most advanced – and in Peru the very last – pre-Columbian society in the spectacular setting of a saddle between two forest-clad Andean peaks that has been preserved enough to be recognisable as a city," writes Telegraph travel writer Chris Moss.

The Telegraph also mentions Kuelap, Chavin de Huantar, and Chan Chan as Peruvian ruins that are worth a visit.

The release of this list coincides with the opening of the new "Ruin Lust" exhibition at the Tate Britain in London.

 

The Economist: Peru's capital Lima, a new food mecca 
  
Lima, Mar. 06. The Peruvian capital Lima has been regarded as the current Mecca of Gastronomy for the entire world by the prestigious British journal The Economist with a weekly readership of 1.5 million.
Peruvian gastronomy hitting new heights worldwide
Peruvian gastronomy hitting new heights worldwide
The article highlights Peru's cultural fusion reflected in its hauted cuisine which is being exported with the expansion of its eateries worldwide.

The booming growth in global popularity is based on the diverse range of inputs the Andean nation enjoys from the many varieties of fruits and vegetables to healthy grains like quinoa, the magazine reported.

"The next step is to turn the Peruvian gastronomy into the axis of global cuisine with a new generation of chefs conquering the world," acclaimed chef Gastón Acurio quoted as saying by The Economist and introduced as a foremost entrepreneur who has opened 37 trendy restaurants in 11 countries over the last two decades.

The Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez has bet on opening in London an eatery named Lima which has received the prestigious distinction of a star rating from the Michelin guide.

Moreover, the magazine stressed that 7 of the 15 best gourmet restaurants in Latin America are headquartered in Lima, a city which hooks nearly 75,000 foodie visitors annually who spends an average of US$1,250 each.

The general manager of Plaza Norte Shopping Center, Elka Popjordanova, pointed out the ongoing gastronomic boom taking place in Peru favors the set up of new restaurants in shopping malls nationwide.

 

Peru attracts nearly 130,000 Asian tourists in 2013
  
Lima, Mar. 04. Tourist arrivals from Asia to Peru rose 11.8 percent to 129,920 in 2013 over the previous year, according to the country's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur).
Asian tourists visiting Peru
Asian tourists visiting Peru's capital, Lima .
Foto: ANDINA/Archivo

Last year, a total of 67,639 Japanese tourists visited the Andean country, an increase of 19.7 percent compared to 2012.

The data released on Monday by Mincetur showed that Japanese tourists outnumbered those who came from Canada (62,820 tourists), Germany (62,570), Mexico (60,270) and the United Kingdom (56,783).

Peru also welcomed about 14,000 South Korean visitors last year, which is 16 percent higher than in 2010.

According to Mincetur, Asian tourists account for 4% of total visitor arrivals to the Andean country.

In 2013, the number of foreign tourist arrivals to Peru reached 3.16 million, up 11.2 percent from 2012.

 

Peru cenbank to attend BIS meeting in Switzerland
  
Lima, Mar. 03. The general manager of Peru's Central Reserve Bank (BCR), Renzo Rossini, will participate in the Emerging Market Deputy Governors Meeting, to be held in Basel, Switzerland, on March 6-7, 2014
Fachade of the Central Reserve Bank (BCR) of Peru. Photo: ANDINA/Archive
Fachade of the Central Reserve Bank (BCR) of Peru.
Photo: ANDINA/Archive
The high-level meeting is organized by the Bank for International Settlements’ (BIS) and it is expected to address key lessons on the international transmission of monetary policy.

The BCR is a member of the BIS since June 26, 2011. 

Established in May 1930, the BIS is one of the oldest international financial organizations in the world and fosters cooperation between central banks worldwide.

The organization's goal is to promote international monetary and financial cooperation and to facilitating dialogue with other authorities to boost financial stability.

 

 

Peru to attend jewellery show in Hong Kong
  
Lima, March. 02. Peru’s Export and Tourism Promotion Board (Promperu) alongside three enterprises from the country's jewerly sector will participate at the upcoming Hong Kong International Jewellery Show in Hong Kong, China.
Photo: ANDINA/Archivo.
Photo: ANDINA/Archivo.
The Peruvian delegation will seek to promote the country's  exportable offer at the Asia's leading jewellery event to be held at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) during Mar.6-9, 2014.

"The fair will allow us to showcase our exportable offer and that Peruvian jewelry companies identify new business opportunities in the Chinese market,"Promperu noted.

Promperu's representative Martha Melissa Vallebuona was authorized to travel to the Asian country. 

The 2013 event attracted 3,341 exhibitors and 42,113 buyers from all over the world.

 

 

Peru's tourism development gets US$37mn loan from Japan
  

Lima, Mar. 01.
 The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has granted US$ 37 million to the regional government of Amazonas, in northern Peru, to develop and implement a comprehensive tourist corridor in the Utcubamba Valley, it was reported Saturday.
Kuelap Ruins. PHoto: ANDINA/Jack Ramón.
Kuelap Ruins. PHoto: ANDINA/Jack Ramón.
Noriji Sakakura, JICA's representative to Peru, Noriji Sakakura, stated the aforementioned project involves the implementation of seven tourist routes in the northern region based on the wide and rich range of cultural and natural resources displayed by the architectural landmarks of the Chachapoyas culture.

The project completion is due to span over 3 years through February 2017 and plans to support the development of communities around the two major tourist spots in the region which are the Kuelap Fortress and the Gocta Waterfall. 

"The projects embraces the construction of roads and the enhancing of archaeological/tourist sites and  waste disposal facilities for taking care of the environment," he said in statements to Andina news agency.

Likewise, the project will address the institutional strengthening of local governments for an improved management of tourist resources along the Utcubamba Valley, thus contributing to the inclusive rural economic and social development in the region. 

Furthermore, Sakakura noted the cooperation agency strongly supports the nomination of the Monumental Kuelap Archaeological Complex for its inclusion to the World Heritage Site List.

 

Peru's tourism development gets US$37mn loan from Japan
  

Lima, Mar. 01.
 The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has granted US$ 37 million to the regional government of Amazonas, in northern Peru, to develop and implement a comprehensive tourist corridor in the Utcubamba Valley, it was reported Saturday.
Kuelap Ruins. PHoto: ANDINA/Jack Ramón.
Kuelap Ruins. PHoto: ANDINA/Jack Ramón.
Noriji Sakakura, JICA's representative to Peru, Noriji Sakakura, stated the aforementioned project involves the implementation of seven tourist routes in the northern region based on the wide and rich range of cultural and natural resources displayed by the architectural landmarks of the Chachapoyas culture.

The project completion is due to span over 3 years through February 2017 and plans to support the development of communities around the two major tourist spots in the region which are the Kuelap Fortress and the Gocta Waterfall. 

"The projects embraces the construction of roads and the enhancing of archaeological/tourist sites and  waste disposal facilities for taking care of the environment," he said in statements to Andina news agency.

Likewise, the project will address the institutional strengthening of local governments for an improved management of tourist resources along the Utcubamba Valley, thus contributing to the inclusive rural economic and social development in the region. 

Furthermore, Sakakura noted the cooperation agency strongly supports the nomination of the Monumental Kuelap Archaeological Complex for its inclusion to the World Heritage Site List.

 

Peru freed from Schengen visa requirements after EP vote
European Parliament votes by majority to make Peruvians exempt from rule

Strasbourg, Feb. 27. The European Parliament (EP) on Thursday voted to allow visa-free travel for Peruvian citizens to countries in the Shengen Area in Europe.

This came during a meeting held today in Strasbourg with a majority vote of 523 out of 577 EU representatives.

The decision means Peruvians will no longer require a visa for short stays (up to 90 days) in the Schengen area, whether for business, tourist or family visit purposes.


Peru, along with Colombia, was voted on the Schengen visa-free list by the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) earlier this month before final approval by the European Parliament today.

The elimination of the visa requirement for Colombians and Peruvians to visit the Schengen Area was proposed last August by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

The Schengen Area comprises 22 of the 28 countries of the European Union: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Greece, along with non-members Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

 

Domestic tourism in southern Peru hit record high of 3.4mn visitors
  
Lima, Feb. 25. The domestic tourism sector in Peru has reached new records in 2013 by welcoming 3.4 million visitors from within the country, according to the National Chamber of Commerce, Production and Services (Perucamaras).
Peruvian wonders.
Peruvian wonders.
The public entity released a report on Monday where it is found that domestic arrivals to the country's south-macro region recorded a 3.9% year-on-year growth.

The study carried out by the entity's Business Research Centre highlighted that the visitor market has increased by 129.3% between 2003 and 2013. "People from the own southern regions make up the 68.2 percent of travelers who arrive to this area of the country," Perucamaras said.

According to the latest figures, the largest number of tourists came from the Lima region, representing a 25.4% of the total; followed by Apurimac (1.4%), Ica (1.2%), Ayacucho (0.7%), Cajamarca (0.4%).

Meanwhile, La Libertad and Piura accounts for 0.3% and 2% of the total number of visitors, respectively.

On the other hand, during the aforementioned period as many as 2.4 million foreign travelers flocked to the south-macro region, which embraces Arequipa, Cusco, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Puno and Tacna.

 

Dubai to host 2nd Peruvian gastronomic festival "Taste of Peru"
  
Lima, Feb. 25. Following great success last year, Dubai will host the second annual Taste of Peru Festival which will take place from February 26 until March 1 at the Souk Amphitheatre in Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
Dubai will host the second annual Taste of Peru festival.  Photo: ANDINA / Stephanie Zollner.
Dubai will host the second annual Taste of Peru
festival. Photo: ANDINA / Stephanie Zollner.

Organized by Peru's Trade, Tourism and Investment Office in Dubai, Taste of Peru will showcase the gastronomic marvels of the Andean country including ceviche, tiradito, causa, quinotto, beef anticucho, and empanadas, along with the national grape cocktail pisco sour.

Peruvian cuisine is traditionally a melting pot of different cultures, flavors and techniques which stems from the arrival of European and Asian immigrants to Peru centuries ago.

According to an article on hoteliermiddleeast.com, the event will also host a fashion show on February 27 called Taste of Peru Fashion, which will feature a runway show for two Peruvian fashion designers who will showcase their collections at the event.

Taste of Peru has also been added to Dubai Food Carnival’s roster of events. “As far as we know we are the only country invited by Dubai Tourism and Cultural Authority to have an event like this as part of the festival,” said Peru's Trade, Tourism and Investment Office (Promperu) director Alvaro Silva-Santisteban.

 

New luxury cruise ships to set sail on Peru's Amazon river
  
Lima, Feb. 24. New luxury cruise ships will set sail to the Peruvian stretch of the Amazon River amid a robust development of the luxury tourism sector in the jungle region of Loreto, the regional director of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Gina Guerrero said on Monday.
Photo: ANDINA/Juan Carlos Guzmán Negrini.
Photo: ANDINA/Juan Carlos Guzmán Negrini.
In statements to Andina news agency, the official said that more foreign travelers are visiting the natural landmark after the Amazon River and Rainforest, also known as Amazonia, was named a new world natural wonder in 2012. 

"California-based Viking River Cruises will built two 100-meter long river cruise ships with a carrying capacity of 100 people which are scheduled to be delivered by the second half of 2014," said Guerrero.

Likewise, the tourist official said the Portuguese company, Mystic Cruises, is already building two other luxury vessels to cruise up the Amazon river from Iquitos to Manaus.

Furthermore, Guerrero stressed that luxury tourism will foster the economy in the Amazonian region since affluent travelers spend on average around US$ 7.500 per day when they are holidaying in Loreto. 

Indeed, she noted that the number of high-consumption tourists flocking to Peru will soar 9 percent to 1.8 million visitors this year, after growing 7 percent in 2013.

The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume, with a total flow greater than the top ten rivers of the world, combined. It also accounts for almost one-fifth of the total river flow and has the biggest drainage basin in our planet.

 

Peru to attend Anato tourism showcase in Colombia
  
Lima, Feb. 23. Peru’s Export and Tourism Promotion Board (Promperu) alongside 20 enterprises from the country's tourism sector will participate in 33th annual edition of Colombian Agencies of Travel and Tourism (ANATO) tourism showcase in Bogota.
Machu Picchu.Photo: ANDINA/Archivo
Machu Picchu.Photo: ANDINA/Archivo
Colombia's major tourism event will be held from February 26 to 28 at the Bogota International Center for Business and Exhibitions, Corferias.

The delegation's goal is to promote the country's main tourist destinations and to attract more investments in the tourism sector.

According to a resolution published on Sunday, Promperu's representative Liz Chuecas  is set to travel to Colombia to carry out activities related to the promotion of the country in said event.

This international fair, organized by the Colombian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies – ANATO, is the most important event in the Colombia and is greatly acknowledged by Latin American tourism community, whose members take advantage the occasion to strengthen their contacts and find spaces for negotiating business deals.

 

Lima poised to be hub for major international meetings
  
Lima, Feb. 22. The Peruvian capital Lima is positioned to become a regional hub for hosting international meetings and events driven by the rapid growth of the country's tourism sector and the consolidation of its major travel routes.
Photo. ANDINA/Stephanie Zollner
Photo. ANDINA/Stephanie Zollner
Eduardo Chaillo, former Meetings Executive Director at the Mexico Tourism Board, stressed that the capital city has all the suitable conditions for hosting high-class international business meetings and highlighted the ongoing enhancement of its accommodation capacity.

"Lima is going through a momentum. It is one of the cities in Latin American with the brightest future," the tourist official said in his speech at the international seminar named 'New Trends and Practices of Business Tourism''

Moreover, he mentioned the increasing influence worldwide of the Peruvian cuisine "and all its magic" as a key factor for drawing more visitors from the sector of corporate tourism, as it was for Mexico. 

Likewise, Chaillo hailed the wide range of wide hotel accommodation services and infrastructure which are available in Peru which is shown through the consolidation of well-known global hospitality chains currently operating in Lima.  

 

 

Peru's hotel sector to rise by up to 15% this year
  
Lima, Feb. 21. The Peruvian hotel sector is set to grow at a record-breaking pace of between 13 percent to 15 percent this year, the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Lima has reported.
Photo: ANDINA/Archive.
Photo: ANDINA/Archive.
Carlos Canales, the private entity's president, highlighted that the aforementioned growth in the hospitality sector in the Andean nation will go hand-in-hand with the increase of the its tourist activity.

"The rise of the hotel sector will be basically similar to the foreseen growth of the tourist sector," the entrepreneur said.

The Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry (Mincetur) has projected the country's tourist sector will see a 14 percent increase in 2014, driven by the diversification and development of major international events and corporate meetings.

"Hotels are our greatest allies for keeping drawing tourism to our country as through their meeting room venues together with the facilities which we are working towards completing their refurbishment," Canales noted.

 

 

Over 33,000 Ecuadorian tourists visited Tumbes in 2013
  
Lima, Feb. 19. The Tumbes region, in northern-most Peru, attracted 33,000 tourists from neighbouring Ecuardor due to its dazzling beaches and local cuisine, Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Dircetur) said on wednesday.
Punta Sal Resort in Tumbes
Punta Sal Resort in Tumbes
Carlos Zeta, regional tourism director, noted that Ecuadorian travelers choose Tumbes as a destination not only for its beautiful coastal resort but also for its breathtaking nature reserves.

The tourist official said that a growing nunber of Ecuadorians are flocking to this northern region for visiting its must-see destinations, resulting in a boost to restaurants and hotels.

"Every weekend we observe a good tourist influx. Each year, Tumbes draws 130,000 domestic and foreign visitors on average," he said.

Tumbes is home to a  great diversity of eco-systems such as mangroves (Los Manglares National Sanctuary), dry equatorial forest (Cerros de Amotape National Park) and the Pacific tropical forest (Tumbes reserved zone).

In 2013, the number of Ecuadorian tourists visiting Peru increased by 12 percent, according to Carlos Canales, head of the National Chamber of Turism.

 

 

Peru's agro-export sector to create 1.2 mn jobs by 2021
  
Lima, Feb. 18. Peru's strong development and growth of agricultural exports is set to create up to 1.2 million new direct and indirect jobs by 2021, the Agricultural Producers Association of Guilds of Peru (AGAP) said on Monday.
Photo:ANDINA/Peru
Photo:ANDINA/Peru's Agriculture and Irrigation
Ministry (Minagri)
Ana Maria Deustua, AGAP's head, stated the foreseen-job creation will be driven by the implementation of infrastructure initiatives oriented to increase agricultural land usage and efficiency.

"There is a range of irrigation projects which will soon be implemented, resulting in the progress of Peru's agricultural sector. This is private investment which bet on the development of the country," the entrepreneur told Andina news agency.

Furthermore, AGAP's top official noted this workforce projection will be added to the amount of jobs created during the period between 2004 and 2013, thus totaling two million. 

"These jobs will be primarily engaged in the modern agriculture branch which involves the fruit industry, production of asparagus and a range of products that currently are part of the country's export supply," said Deustua.

 

 

Israel's leader Peres welcomes Peruvian President in Holy Land
  
Lima, Feb. 17. Peruvian President Ollanta Humala who is in Israel at the invitation of President Shimon Peres, was given a warm reception on Monday at the Presidential Residence.
Peruvian President Ollanta Humala Tasso met with his Israeli counterpart Shimon Perez. Photo: ANDINA/Presidencia
Peruvian President Ollanta Humala Tasso met with
his Israeli counterpart Shimon Perez.
Photo: ANDINA/Presidencia
Peru is one of the beneficiaries of Israel’s agricultural technology and has received assistance from Israel in other areas as well. Minister of Agriculture, Yair Shamir who met Humala when he visited Peru last May, was near the head of the receiving line that greeted Humala as Peres escorted his Peruvian guest into the reception hall. 

Shamir said then that taking into account Israel’s proven abilities in agricultural, industrial and security technologies, he had been given the impression that the Peruvian government sees Israel as a strategic partner in Peru’s economic development, jerusalem post reported. 

Israeli companies have invested in excess of a billion dollars in Peru, primarily in enterprises dealing with agriculture, medicine, energy and telecommunications. Israel also has strong defense ties with Peru that go back for many years.

At his meeting with Peres, the Peruvian leader confirmed Shamir’s impressions and said that he had brought a high level ministerial delegation with him that includes Foreign Minister Eda Rivas and the Ministers of Economy and Finance, Luis Miguel Castilla, and Agriculture, Milton Von Hesse; to also discuss health and education and to see how Israeli technology can be implemented in these areas. 

The South American nation is currently working with water technologies that were developed in Israel, he said, and is transferring water from the Atlantic basin to the Pacific basin which enables the irrigation of desert zones in the Pacific region.

In thanking Peres for the invitation to pay a state visit to Israel, Humala said that this was an important visit for him and his delegation, and that it was a great honor for him to represent his country as a friend of Israel’s. He was aware of the esteem in which Peres is held in the world as both a political figure and a national patriot, and declared what a pleasure it was for him to be able to meet Peres in person.

“We know that Israel is currently going through a difficult period and we are great supporters of the peace process,” said Humala.

The head of the Israeli State had referred to the peace process in his welcoming address and had said that he was greatly encouraged by the remarks made in Ramallah the previous day by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas when addressing 300 Israeli students who were visiting there. What he said was indicative of his desire to reach a peace agreement, said Peres.

Peres noted that Peru had been a member of the UNSCOP Commitee whose recommendations resulted in the November 1947 United Nations General Assembly vote and resolution on the partition of Palestine. “This is something we will never forget said Peres”. While Peru is 500 times the size of Israel, territory is becoming less important than science, Peres told Humala.

The Peruvian president concurred and said that science was one of the areas in which Peru wants to cooperate with Israel, and to become Israel’s most significant partner in Latin America.

 

Over 11,989 tourists visited Colca valley in January 2014
  
Lima, Feb. 17. The Colca Valley, one of the best-known tourist hubs in southern Peru, attracted a total of 11,989 domestic and foreign visitors in January this year, it has been reported.
Condor flying over the Colca canyon in Peru, one of the most spectacular sights of this place.
Condor flying over the Colca canyon in Peru, one of
the most spectacular sights of this place.
Freddy Jimenez, head of Colca’s Autonomous Authority or Autocolca, stated that the tourist landmark located in the southern Arequipa region registered a 7.63 percent increase in visitors arrival over the same period a year earlier.

"Autocolca considered of significant importance the tourist influx recorded in January as it is off-peak season for the popular tourist destination," he said 

Likewise, the tourist official noted that most travelers in January  from overseas. "An increasing number of foreign tourists are interested in visiting the landscapes of this natural reserve".

Indeed, Jimenez pointed out that Autocolca will deepen its work and efforts focused on promoting tourism in the in the world's deepest canyon as the public entity expects to lure over 250,000 visitors during 2014.

The Colca Valley, approximately 160 kilometers from Arequipa, is a colorful Andean valley with pre-Inca roots and towns founded in Spanish colonial times.

 

 

Ecuadorian tourists visiting Peru on rise
  
Lima, Feb. 16. The number of Ecuadorian tourists visiting Peru has increased by 12 percent compared with 2013 as they are lured by the must-visit destinations in the country's northern area such as its beautiful beach resorts and delightful cuisine.
Tumbes. Photo: ANDINA/Archive
Tumbes. Photo: ANDINA/Archive
Carlos Canales, National Chamber of Tourism's (Canatur) President, noted that regional authorities should carry out public investments to enhance road infrastructure in order to broaden the range of regions available for foreign visitors in northern Peru.

"There is an increase of between 10 percent and 12 percent in visitors arrival in the northern border area of the country," the tourist official said in statements to Andina news agency.

He continued, "We should improve the access for visitors could head to other areas like the capital Lima, as they just getting to the Peruvian northern-most region of tourists".

In this regard, he reported that nearly 120,000 Ecuadorians travelers entered the country through the Andean nation's northern border, coming from provinces such as Cuenca, Loja and Machala.

 

Lambayaque museums drew 26,384 visitors in January
  
Lima, Feb. 16. A total of 26,384 domestic and foreign tourists visited the six museums located in Peru's northern Lambayeque region in 2013, according to a local tourism official.
The Royal Tombs of Sipan museum
The Royal Tombs of Sipan museum
Carlos Aguilar, head of the Naylamp-Lambayeque Executing Unit 005, said that 23,373 visitors were Peruvians who came from Lima, Arequipa, Piura, Cajamarca and Lambayeque  and the remaining 3,011 were foreigners who mostly came from the United States, Germany, Argentina, France and Canada.

Just in January the Royal Tombs of Sipan museum received 12,816 people, while the on-site museum of Huaca Rajada-Sipan lured 4,866 visitors.

Brüning National Archaeological Museum, which houses over 1,400 archaeological pieces of Lambayeque, Mochica, Chavin, Vicus and Inca cultures, received over 3,034 tourists.

The on-site museums of Tucume, Sican de Ferreñafe and Chotuna-Chornancap received 3,354, 2,205 and 109 visitors respectively.

 

 

Peru's tourist sites featured in Korean travel magazines
  
Lima, Feb. 14. The main tourist attractions in the Peruvian regions of Arequipa, Cusco and Puno have been recently featured in top travel magazines in South Korea.
ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán
ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán

The photos – including pics of Colca Canyon in Arequipa, the floating islands in Puno, and the famed Machu Picchu ruins in Cusco – were published by three leading travel magazines in the Asian country.

They include the Korean edition of Lonely Planet, The Traveller, and Luxury, all of which sent representatives to Peru at the invitation of the Andean country's tourism board PromPeru.

According to PromPeru, the pictures highlight the beautiful natural landscapes and cultural heritage of these southern regions of Peru.

Lonely Planet magazine devoted fifteen pages to Peru's tourist attractions, while The Traveller and Luxury devoted 13 and 6 each.

Since 2012, PromPeru has been engaged in promotional activities to attract tourists from the Asian market, particularly from South Korea and Japan.

Peruvian tourism professionals to attend ITB Berlin 2014 next month
  
Lima, Feb. 14.
 A total of 37 Peruvian tourism professionals will participate in this year's ITB Berlin in Germany, the world's largest and most important tourism trade fair.
ANDINA/Difusión.
ANDINA/Difusión.

The event, which attracted around 10,600 exhibitors in 2013, will be held from March 5 to 9, 2014.

According to Peru's export and tourism board PromPeru, the goal of this mission is to showcase the country's new tourism products to an international audience and demonstrate that Peru can compete with the best destinations on the planet.

The 2013 event attracted 172,132 visitors, of which 113,006 were trade visitors and 59,126 consumers.

ITB is the most important annual trade event in Germany, and therefore, an ideal opportunity for Peruvian tourism professionals to meet all relevant German trade and press contacts as well as consumers.

 

Peru sees Northern Amazonian route as leading tourist hub 
  
Lima, Feb. 13. With the aim of becoming the Northern Amazonian route in a Peruvian major tourist hub representatives of the regional chambers of tourism and business associations met in the Andean city of Cajamarca, in northern Peru.
Photo: ANDINA/archive.
Photo: ANDINA/archive.
Attendants at the working meeting agreed to strengthen the integration of this important tourist route, conducting research of potential markets as well as developing a marketing plan and enhancing the tourism safety.

Thus, the promotion of the tourist circuit will showcase historical and cultural heritage of the towns on this route and increase their visibility and attractiveness, thereby fostering the development of tourism in the area and attracting investors. 

To that end, the Peruvian entrepreneurs will seek to jointly participate in the several national and international forums which are held yearly for drawing more visitors to this must-see tourist circuit.

Among the agreements that stand out are the marketing strategies and advertising to effectively promote the Northern Amazonian circuit by ensuring a wide dissemination of the most sought after tourist destinations of each region. 

The aforementioned route passes over the regions of Lambayeque, San Martin, Tumbes, Piura, La Libertad, Cajamarca, Amazonas and Loreto, which are part of the northern Amazon macroregion.

 

Travel to Peru from the U.S. poised to increase in near future
  
Lima, Feb. 12. International travel to Peru from the United States is poised to increase in the coming years, according to analysis from SouthAmerica.travel, a South America tour operator based in the United States.
ANDINA/Carlos Lezama
ANDINA/Carlos Lezama

Tourism accounted for 3.4% of total GDP in 2012, and the Peruvian government seeks to increase that percentage, in order to safeguard against the more volatile mineral exports that currently make up the bulk of Peru’s GDP.

Americans in particular are one of the main sources of international tourists to Peru each year. Tourism has been booming at a clip of almost 500,000 American tourists in recent years.

In 2013, the overall international head count tapped out at 3 million, meaning Americans make up about 1/6th of all tourists to Peru.

But Peru was also only the 26th most visited country for Americans traveling abroad in 2012, making it a middling destination often outshined by closer destinations like Canada and Mexico.

This is somewhat disappointing, considering that Peru features remarkable biodiversity and cultural diversity, and hosts 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Peru's tourism promotion board PromPeru seems to be engaging in an advertising campaign to increase American tourism to Peru.

If you’re located in Seattle, for example, you may have noticed the Peru advertisements circumscribed on Metro buses, and it might explain the subliminal itch to travel to Peru that you’ve been feeling. Peru.travel, the sponsor of the ads, is part of the official tourism board of Peru.

It’s no wonder why Seattle is part of the Peru.travel advertising campaign. The city is a major hub for international travel, ranked 16th among departure points for Americans traveling overseas in 2012, with 472,191 people traveling overseas.

And now that Alaska Airlines and Delta are vying for market share dominance in SeaTac, it’s fair to say that there’s seldom been a better time for Pacific Northwesterners to hit the skies.

Plus, the active travel industry in the Seattle area indicates that there is a demand in the local marketplace for international travel.

Travel industry professionals often gather for AdventureDrinks, an event organized by the Adventure Travel Trade Association, which is based in Seattle.

Wide World Books & Maps, and Metsker’s Maps in Pike Place Market cater to travelers. Travel specialists like SouthAmerica.travel, located in Pioneer Square, offer tailor-made tours to Peru.

For Americans, travel to Peru is affordable.

USD is nearly a parallel currency in some parts of Latin America. In Peru, the Peruvian sol is currently 2.82 to the Dollar. With a $20 bill, you can dine out at a very nice restaurant, and for $100/night, you can stay in a high-quality 4-star hotel. A 2-week Peru vacation package that includes tours, hotels, transfers, trains, and domestic flights costs $3340.

 

Cajamarca's 2014 Carnival opens at presidential palace
  
Lima, Feb. 06 (ANDINA). The 2014 Carnival of Cajamarca, an Andean city in northern Peru, has been launched with pomp and ceremony at the Government Palace in Lima.
ANDINA/Prensa Presidencia
ANDINA/Prensa Presidencia

As part of the program "Palace for Everybody," the month-long festival opened last Saturday on the esplanade of the presidential palace.

Attending the opening were authorities from the region of Cajamarca and Peruvian Deputy Tourism Minister Jose Miguel Gamarra.

The show featured a group of colorfully dressed dancers who paraded around the main square in downtown Lima.

Held every year in February and March, Cajamarca's Carnival is one of the most important celebrations of the region. All neighbourhoods get ready to participate in competitions where music and dance prevail.

Cajamarca inhabitants organize a parade and residents walk with Rey Momo, while carnival groups dance and sing along, bringing joy to the streets.

Nights are perfect for crowning queens, watching popular dances and tasting typical food and drink. Carnaval de Cajamarca celebrations are held the whole month, with eight central days.

Luxury tourism on the rise in Peru
  
Lima, Feb. 05 (ANDINA).
 The number of luxury travelers visiting Peru is projected to climb 9 percent in 2014 compared to 7 percent last year, according to the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur).
Amazon river cruises.
Amazon river cruises.

Carlos Canales, head of Canatur, said that these visitors spend on average US$ 7,000 per day on exclusive services in the Andean country.

"The increase in cruise trip offerings in the country, especially in Iquitos, shows that there is a very important demand in this sector," Canales told Andina on Wednesday.

He noted that the number of luxury travelers to Peru will rise 9 percent to 180,000 million visitors this year, after growing 7 percent in 2013.

In addition to luxury cruises in the Peruvian Amazonia, these foreign tourists look for hotels with first-class infrastructure in Lima, Cusco, and Ica, Canales added. "Tour packages for the Nazca Lines and Machu Picchu are also on high demand as there is an adequate hotel infrastructure to accommodate them."

 

Peru, Colombia achieve Schengen visa-free travel
  

Lima, Feb. 04 (ANDINA). The European Union (EU) has reached a Schengen visa waiver agreement with Peru and Colombia, thus allowing these countries' citizens visa-free travel to any of all the 26 Schengen states, it was reported Tuesday.
European Union
European Union
According to a statement released by a EU delegation in Colombia, the date in which the bilateral visa waiver agreement is set to entry into force is still being worked through.

The report states that "legislative and administrative procedures must be worked out before the starting of the initiative."

Moreover, Maria Antonia Van Gool, EU's Ambassador to neighboring Colombia, hailed today's decision as a proof of the European Union's political will to lift visa requirements for Colombians and Peruvians.

"It [the measure] reflects the mutual confidence and willingness to further develop our working relationship," the diplomat noted.

In this regard, the Peruvian Deputy Foreign Minister, Fernando Rojas, told local radio RPP the European Parliament is expected to approve the visa waiver by late February.

This measure allows Peruvian and Colombian citizens to be able to enjoy visa-exemption privileges in the EU by traveling freely throughout the 26 Schengen states for short stays of up to 90 days.

The Schengen area is make up of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Monaco, Germany, Greece and Hungary. 

Likewise Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland are part of this bloc.

 

Peru-Chile talks to discuss coordinates of sea border
  
Lima, Feb. 04 (ANDINA). The upcoming "two-plus-two" talks between Peru and Chile are expected to discuss ways to map out the exact coordinates of the countries' maritime boundary, recently drawn by the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Allan Wagner. Photo: ANDINA/Norman Córdova
Allan Wagner. Photo: ANDINA/Norman Córdova

Ambassador Allan Wagner, who led the Peruvian legal team at the United Nations' highest court, said he hopes that Peru and Chile will agree on the "method or procedure" to be used to establish the precise coordinates of the new boundary.

The 5th Meeting of the Standing Committee for Political Consultation and Coordination, better known as the "two-plus-two meeting," will take place this Thursday in Santiago.

Wagner said that "it would not take much time" for Peru and Chile to determine the geographical coordinates of the area.

The meeting will also be an opportunity to boost cooperation on areas including fighting crime in the border zone and sharing information on migratory species, the diplomat added.

Attending the day-long talks on the part of Peru will be Foreign Minister Eda Rivas and Defense Minister Pedro Cateriano, and on the part of Chile will be Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno and Defense Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter.

 

Peru's Huanchaco Festival to draw over 10,000 tourists
  
Lima, Feb. 03 (ANDINA). The legendary surfing town of Huanchaco, in Peru's northern Trujillo region, expects to attract nearly 10,000 visitors for taking part in this year's celebrations of the so-called "Huanchaco Carnival".
ANDINA/Difusión.
ANDINA/Difusión.
The festival runs from January 31 through February 1 featuring several activities including the crowning of the festival queen, a surf contest, luau party, creativity in the sand, championships of reed horses, the carnival parade among others.

Local officials are inviting domestic and foreign visitors to join this holidays to share the excitement of this carnival which is considered one of the most attractive summer event in northern Peru.

Unlike other Peruvian carnivals, people celebrate with masks and costumes emulating the renowned Carnival of Venice. This carnival has been held since the beginning of the 20th century.

The historic town of Huanchaco is part of the tourist circuit called the "Moche Route" or "Ruta Moche" and it is the stage of several international surf competitions that brings together leading competitors worldwide.

 

Peru's international reserves hit US$65.73bn at end-January
  
Lima, Feb. 02 (ANDINA). Peru's net international reserves amounted to US$ 65.73 billion at January 28, 2014, the Central Reserve Bank (BCR) of Peru has reported.
Lima
Lima's financial hub. Photo: ANDINA / Héctor Vinces.
This amount of reserves is higher by US$ 71 million than the one recorded at end-2013.

The financial entity noted the NIR hit US$ 65.66 billion at end-2013, exceeding by US$ 1.67 billion the end-2012 of NIR level.

Likewise, the BCP reported that the current level of international reserves accounts for over 33 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

It also covers more than 19 months of imports and is equivalent to six times the short-term external debt, and according to the central bank, these levels are higher than those of other economies in the region.

Meanwhile, foreign exchange position of the BCRP was US$ 40.68 billion at January 28, 2014.

 

 

Peruvian pisco exports to grow 5% in 2014
  
Lima, Feb. 01 (ANDINA). Production and export of pisco, the national spirit of Peru, will rise by five percent this year buoyed by the recovery seen in export markets like the United States and Europe.
Peruvian officials raise a toast in anticipation of Pisco Sour Day this Saturday. Photo: ANDINA/Melina Mejía
Peruvian officials raise a toast in anticipation of Pisco
Sour Day this Saturday. Photo: ANDINA/Melina Mejía

Francisco Grippa, vice minister of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises, said that pisco production in Peru reached 7.2 million liters in 2013, with the US, Chile and Germany being the main destination markets.

"Last year there was an increase of 7 percent in production. If this trend continues, we expect growth of 5 percent in 2014," Grippa said during a recent ceremony to celebrate Peru's Pisco Sour Day.

The official explained that Peruvian pisco exports dropped last year due to the crisis in key markets abroad; but this year, "there is room to grow with the recovery in the US and Europe."

In addition, he noted that the Ministry of Production (Produce) and the National Pisco Commission (Conapisco) will continue working to promote quality production in the industry.

On Thursday, Produce hosted a cocktail reception to toast to the Pisco Sour Day, celebrated on the first Saturday in February. The event was chaired by Peruvian Production Minister Gladys Triveño.

 

Helena Christensen debuts Peruvian photo exhibition
  
Lima, Jan. 31 (ANDINA). Danish supermodel Helena Christensen traveled through Peru a couple of years ago to photograph the South American country from the seaside town of Paracas to the colonial city of Cusco and the lush Sacred Valley.
Helena Christensen. Photo: Courtesy
Helena Christensen. Photo: Courtesy

Christensen, who is of Danish and Peruvian descent, is now premiering her photography in an exhibit titled VISUAL JOURNEY, on display to the public through February 17 at Bleecker Street Arts Club.

A seasoned traveler who has enjoyed great success on both sides of the camera, Christensen is an ambassador for The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., and joined designer and actor Waris Ahluwalia in the coveted Global Explorer role.

The evocative photographs will be auctioned through Gavel&Grand, a platform that presents philanthropic auctions online, offering access to extraordinary experiences and luxury items in support of causes worldwide.

Sales from the exhibition will benefit Oxfam International, with whom she has worked with for several years. Bidding is available at www.gavelandgrand.com/auctions/luxurycollection.

"Much like travel, photography is most powerful when it is an immersive experience that elicits the emotions, memories and moods of a destination. Exploring Peru with The Luxury Collection was particularly special because they uncovered hidden treasures of the country that I have never experienced before," said Helena Christensen. "The thought of being a global explorer is so thrilling, and is the perfect job for me!"

"Through her photography, and throughout her career as a model, Helena Christensen has always shared a singular perspective on the world around her," said Paul James, Global Brand Leader for The Luxury Collection, St. Regis and W Hotels Worldwide.

"We are thrilled to work with her as our newest Global Explorer, and look forward to inspiring travelers together to experience and celebrate the world's great destinations."

The Global Explorer program celebrates the vibrancy of some of the most enchanting destinations through the eyes of the world's foremost innovators.

Helena Christensen will bring a new lens to The Luxury Collection brand as a celebrated photographer and true citizen of the world - born in Copenhagen to a Danish father and Peruvian mother. She lives in New York and travels frequently to London, Paris, Milan, and Panama, as well each of her parents' homelands.

As her role unfolds, Christensen will offer an artistic and authentic view of The Luxury Collection brand's extraordinary destinations through different collaborations. Christensen previously partnered with The Luxury Collection as a contributor to the brand's acclaimed Latin America Destination Guide offering insider insights and travel tips.

 

 Lima is Latin America's top tourist city
  
Lima, Jan. 30 (ANDINA). Lima, capital of Peru, was the top city in Latin America by international tourist arrivals in 2012, market research firm Euromonitor said in a report.
Main Square of Lima, Peru. Photo: ANDINA/Archive.
Main Square of Lima, Peru. Photo: ANDINA/Archive.

According to the latest Euromonitor Top 100 City Destinations Ranking, Lima leads the Latin American pack at number 34 with 3.79 million foreign arrivals, a 29.1% increase on Euromonitor’s figures for 2011.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the next Latin American city to appear on the list, in slot number 44.

Mexico City clocked in at 46, and Cancun came next at number 61. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic was number 65, and the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo were 90 and 97, respectively.

Hong Kong topped the ranking with more than 23.7 million arrivals in 2012, up 6.5 percent over 2011, followed by Singapore and Bangkok, recording around 21.3 million arrivals and 15.7 million arrivals, respectively.

The London-based marketing research firm, which released its 2012 report this week, spent more than a year analyzing data from official sources.

 

Huaca Rajada-Sipan museum celebrates 5th anniversary
  
Lima, Jan. 29 (ANDINA). Huaca Rajada-Sipan Museum is celebrating its fifth anniversary in the service of promotion, conservation and spread of the most important archaeological finding in Peru: the tombs of the Sipan dynasty.
Huaca Rajada-Sipan Site Museum celebrates 5th anniversary. Photo: ANDINA / Alberto Orbegoso
Huaca Rajada-Sipan Site Museum celebrates 5th
anniversary. Photo: ANDINA / Alberto Orbegoso
Luis Chero Zurita, director of the cultural site, highlighted the key role of the museum as a body responsible for preserving the Moche cultural heritage and as means for fostering local development in the communities of Saltur and Huaca Rajada.

Since its opening the site museum, located in the northern Peruvian Lambayeque region, has received a total of 255,210 tourists from within Peru and abroad, while in 2013, it was the second-most visited museum of the region. 

To mark the museum's five year anniversary celebration, the director unveiled a project aimed at enhancing the tourist facilities of the archaeological site which will allow to boost visits. "These are good news coming with this year's anniversary," said Chero.

Opened in 2009, the museum exhibits masks, ceramics and jewelry that archaeologists say are from the ancient Moche culture, which flourished on Peru's coast from about 100 AD to 600 AD.

 

Tourism in Peru's Tacna region to rise by up to 15% 
  
Lima, Jan. 28 (ANDINA). The tourist flow between neighboring regions of Tacna and Arica is expected to grow by between 10% and 15%, Peru's National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur) has reported.
Main square of Tacna. Photos:ANDINA/Oscar Farje.
Main square of Tacna. Photos:ANDINA/Oscar Farje.
Carlos Canales, Canatur's head, stated that products which are sold in the Peruvian southern-most Tacna region are far more economical than those currently in offer at Chile's northern-most Arica region.

"For instance, in services providing health care or garment there is a remarkable difference in prices of up to 80%," the tourist official said.

 

 

 

Peru agent thanks ICJ for settling Peru-Chile maritime dispute
  
Lima, Jan. 27 (ANDINA). The Peruvian agent before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Allan Wagner, today expressed his gratitude to the court's judges for putting an end to a long-standing maritime dispute between Peru and Chile.
CAPTURA TV
CAPTURA TV

"I want to thank the president of the court, Peter Tomka, the judges and all the staff of this prestigious institution for the dedication and effort that they have put over these six years of deliberation since Peru filed the case on January 16, 2008," Wagner said after hearing the ruling.

On behalf the Peruvian delegation at the Hague, Ambassador Wagner also thanked the Peruvian president and former heads of state for handling this issue in an model state policy.

"I am proud and honored to have led this team of superb quality and patriotic dedication," he noted.

Wagner also highlighted the leadership, contribution and support of Foreign Minister Eda Rivas and her predecessors Jose García Belaunde, Rafael Roncagliolo, whose efforts were carried on during the proceedings before the Hague.

Based in The Hague, the ICJ is an international tribunal specializing in legal disputes over international public law between sovereign countries and its decisions are binding and cannot be appealed.

 

Peru's Manu national park sets biodiversity record
  
Lima, Jan. 27 (ANDINA). A recent study shows that the Manu National Park in Peru's southern Cusco and Madre de Dios regions has scored a new biodiversity record.
Ameerega macero. Photo: Courtesy of Alessandro Catenazzi.
Ameerega macero.
Photo: Courtesy of Alessandro Catenazzi.

The study published in the journal Biota Neotropica cataloged 155 amphibian and 132 reptile species from the park and its buffer zone, putting Manu at the top of the list of natural protected areas in terms of amphibian and reptile diversity.

The western side of the Amazon Basin, especially the region at the foothill of the Andes, exhibits extraordinary levels of biodiversity compared with other regions on the planet.

Up until recently, Yasuní National Park in Ecuador ranked first with 150 amphibian and 121 reptile species according to a study published in PLoS ONE in 2010.

Both Manu and Yasuní protect large areas of undisturbed lowland rainforest, but Manu National Park also protects high-elevation cloud forests and Andean grasslands.

The new list of amphibians and reptiles at Manu was published by Alessandro Catenazzi, assistant professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Edgar Lehr, assistant professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, and Rudolf von May, postdoctoral research fellow at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at University of California, Berkeley.

With support from the National Geographic Society, the National Science Foundation, the Rufford Small Grants Foundation, the Amazon Conservation Association, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, the team surveyed multiple elevations and examined hundreds of museum specimens collected at dozens of locations in Manu National Park and its buffer zone. Analysis of DNA sequences and frog calls allowed the team to identify additional species.

"The number of species recorded in Manu is noteworthy if we consider that the national park represents only 0.01% of the planet’s land area, but houses 2.2% of all amphibians and 1.5% of all reptiles known worldwide," the experts behind the study said in a press release.  "Amphibians such as frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians, and reptiles such as snakes, lizards, turtles, and caimans thrive there."

Manu is also known for other long-held records of biodiversity: more than 1,000 species of birds (about 10% of the world’s bird species) and more than 1,200 species of butterflies have been recorded in the park.

Additionally, Manu and its buffer zone are areas of high cultural importance, because they are home to several indigenous ethnic groups, including the Matsiguenka, Harakmbut, and Yine, as well as groups living in “voluntary isolation” such as the Mashco-Piro who live as nomadic hunter-gatherers in the region.

Scientific research conducted over the past four decades recognized Manu National Park as a globally irreplaceable site. Herpetologists first surveyed the region in the 1970’s, primarily along the road that connects the city of Cusco to villages in the cloud forests of the Kosñipata Valley.

Starting in the 80’s, research was broadened to include remote lowland rainforest locations inside the park such as Cocha Cashu Biological Station.

Subsequent herpetological expeditions have continued to reveal new species of amphibians and reptiles, especially in the endemic-rich cloud forest and high-Andean grasslands. For example, one of the most recent discoveries was the glass frog Centrolene sabini, the world’s 7000th known amphibian species.

The team of researchers predicts that additional species will be described in the upcoming years, as a result of increased use of DNA analysis, study of frog calls, and other techniques. 
Discovery of species not previously reported from the park will similarly contribute to increase the number of amphibians and reptiles known for Manu.

 

One day prior to the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) verdict
Peru's FM calls for fostering a better future with Chile 
  

Lima, Jan. 26 (ANDINA). In an opinion column published in the newspaper El Comercio, the Peruvian Foreign Minister, Eda Rivas Franchini, expressed her hope for fostering a better future for the ongoing Andean nation's relationship with Chile.
Peruvian Foreign Minister, Eda Rivas Franchini. Photo: ANDINA/Carlos Lezama
Peruvian Foreign Minister, Eda Rivas Franchini.
Photo: ANDINA/Carlos Lezama
A path towards future: Peruvian Foreign Minister's column

Tomorrow, Monday January 27th, we will witness the reading of the verdict by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague concerning the case of the maritime delimitation between Peru and Chile. 

This date will mark a milestone in our history, as it represents the culmination of the process for defining our borders by setting the last pending boundary between Peru and neighboring countries. Furthermore, this initiative stresses the confidence that Peru has placed in the system and in International Law: going to the ICJ, which is the United Nations' (UN) main judicial organ, is clearly an option for peace.

We should come to the ruling with calmness and caution, pleased to have made a full defense of our position in the proceedings before the ICJ. Peruvians await the judgment with optimism due to the strength of our legal defense and the justice of our request and, above all, we await the decision together.

This unit has been built on the basis of the work carried out by the Foreign Ministry following a State policy throughout three democratic governments. In this context, President Ollanta Humala has known to led the team during the process and oral arguments and he will be in charge for the delicate task of executing the judgment. 

He was fully aware of the importance of maintaining the team of professionals which took the case, reinforcing it with the inclusion of two former foreign ministers who played a major role in the formation of our request and a highly prestigious international lawyer.

It is worth mentioning now, once again, that Peru and Chile have ratified at the highest level, the commitment to fulfill and enforce the judgment, which is mandatory and binding, whose legal validity is immediate and the execution must be done without delay. As President Humala has pointed out: our honor depends on it. 

There is, however, an even greater commitment than the compliance and enforcement that accompanies this ruling, and that is the commitment of two nations which, over the last years, have come closer more than ever before in their common history and whose citizens- on both sides of the border -are daily striving to achieve the integration which both governments promote.

Therefore, we should reach the failure bearing in mind that, as important as the ruling itself, is what we are willing to build with Chile. In recent days, it has been talking about what to expect after the ICJ's verdict. I trust that in the future, the Peru-Chile ties will be even narrower, as it is the natural consequence of the structural changes which have been taking place between the two countries' relationship. 

Thus, the political dialogue between both nations' governments is given at the highest level: in 2013, in addition to the meetings between Presidents in several international forums; the fourth edition of the 'two-plus-two' meeting was held in Lima, bringing together the defense and foreign ministers from both countries. Likewise, the first meeting of the Social Integration Council (CIS) was carried out in Santiago, among many other initiatives, visits and bilateral meetings.

For instance, we need only look at the intense relationship between the cities of Tacna and Arica, to understand that it is a clear example of an active, vibrant, vital border. Few days ago, I visited Tacna and I checked the citizens' commitment to cooperation and integration which is even stronger than the ruling itself. 

Until a few years ago, there were more the Peruvians who were crossing the border; currently, thanks to the development of the city of Tacna, which reflects Peru's economic growth, and the enhancement in the city's services, such as medical and food, there are more citizens from Arica coming to Tacna. 

In any case, the fact is that today Tacna and Arica are fully integrated cities, which record more than five and a half million annual visits in their common border. The commitment sealed by the mayors of both cities few days ago, as national governments did, to respect and enforce the judgment, and receive it with calmness, is the result of the climate of brotherhood and trust that has been built among Peruvians and Chileans living near the border.

Finally, in the economic sphere coincidences are also appreciable. The two countries' similar visions of development - both are actively engage in the Pacific Alliance, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), among others - have led mutual investment volume to an unprecedented record as the trade level has almost doubled since 2005. 

But beyond that, the Peruvian community in Chile - which only in Santiago exceeds one hundred thousand fellow citizens - is perceived as a hardworking and responsible community, which contributes to the Chilean society with their effort, our tradition and culture, and of course, our renowned cuisine.

Peru and Chile will remain neighbors tomorrow. Because of this reason and our integrationist vocation, we must become better partners and friends, once the judgment is handed down and carried out, and the dispute is finished. Latin America will witness a prompt compliance and enforcement of the verdict by both countries, becoming an example of the region's transformation in the future: a region free of mistrust with joint cooperation projects on track for the welfare and development of our people. 

The example of responsibility and maturity that Peruvians and Chileans must give is the one which will remain written in capital letters in history.
 

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