News about tourism in Peru / T News

TOUR OPERATOR MARKS MACHU PICCHU
CENTENNIAL WITH DISCOUNTED TRIPS
ANDINA. Intrepid Travel is marking the 100th anniversary this year of explorer Hiram Bingham's rediscovery of Machu Picchu with a 15-per-cent-off sale on all its trips to South America.

Known as the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, in Peru, dates to 1450 and is perched at 2,430 metres. Its ruins have fascinated and thrilled visitors since their rediscovery in 1911.

Intrepid Travel specializes in smallgroup travel and offers 54 itineraries to South America - 51 of which take in Machu Picchu, according to an article on montrealgazette.com.

Other trips take you into the heart of the Amazon Jungle, to the sophisticated streets of Buenos Aires or to the environmental sanctuary that is the Galápagos Islands.

The sale can result in significant savings - for example, up to $1,292 on the spectacular 83-day South America Explorer. All you have to do to save 15 per cent off any Intrepid holiday to South America is book during July for any departure from September to the end of December.

Intrepid prefers more sustainable travel choices so smaller, family-run inns and restaurants are de rigueur, as is public transit or home stays where practical.

Actors dressed in Incan attire rehearses for the 100th
anniversary celebration. (Photo: ANDINA)

SAN AGUSTIN TO INVEST UP TO US$4MLN
IN NEW COLCA VALLEY HOTEL
ANDINA. San Agustin hotel chain reported that it will invest between three to four million dollars in the construction of a new 3-star category hotel in the Colca Valley, in Arequipa region.

Last December, the company reported that it was negotiating with three hotels in the area a possible purchase or lease agreement, which depended on the conditions and location of the property.

Director Manuel Garcia said that the hotel, which would have 50 rooms, will be aimed at a more family-oriented tourist or group tourists, both from Peru and abroad.

“Works itself will begin by the end of this year and will be completed during the first half of 2012,” he told Andina.

On the other hand, Garcia reported that the reconstruction and expansion works on their Urubamba hotel, in Cusco, which was affected by the heavy rains in 2010, have been completed.

The Colca Valley is located 150 km (4 hours) northeast of Arequipa.

AMAZON CRUISE TO THE
WORLD'S MIGHTIEST RIVER
ANDINA. A stylish new ship has begun plying the waters of the Peruvian stretch of the Amazon. Peter Hughes from The Telegraph jumps on board.

From the air they look like broad strokes of Chinese calligraphy, indecipherable, bold characters daubed across a moss-green canvas. As you descend, the canvas becomes jungle, bobbled to the horizon with trees.

The lines grow bigger until one divides the scene in a single shiny band. The brown waters of the Amazon are so wide they look more like a strait dividing two landmasses than a river.

You need to add another yottabyte to the imagination's capacity to accommodate the Amazon. There is an argument about which is the longest river in the world, the Amazon or the Nile. Who cares? There are only a few hundred yards in it.

But in sheer size, in the area it drains – two and three quarter million square miles, which is approaching the area of Australia – and in the phenomenal volumes of water it channels, the Amazon is the mightiest by a cosmos.

It contains a fifth of all the water in all the rivers in the world, and the amount it discharges into the Atlantic is greater than that of the next seven largest rivers combined, 10 times that of the Mississippi alone.

The Amazon dominates. It dominates the view from an aircraft window; it dominates a gigantic swathe of the continent: the Amazon Basin covers about two fifths of South America. It dominated my days aboard Aria, a new and luxurious river cruiser that came into service last month on the Amazon in Peru. Yet Aria's arrival brings the number of cruise boats on this part of the river to just four.

It was while flying into Iquitos from Lima that I had my first sight of the river and its scrawl of tributaries and lagoons. Here, more than 2,000 miles from the ocean, the Amazon is already more than half a mile wide. Iquitos is Peru's equivalent of the more famous and much bigger Manaus, 900 miles or so downstream in Brazil.

Both are river ports and both grew rich from rubber at the end of the 19th century. Guides from Aria, who had met the boat passengers at the airport, took us for a short walk through town. It was early evening when we arrived, dark, but still 79F (26C). We were fewer than four degrees south of the equator. Click here to read complete article.

Amazon River. (Photo: ANDINA)

PERUVIAN TOURISM TO ATTRACT
OVER US$100MLN IN INVESTMENTS
ANDINA. Peruvian tourism sector will attract more than US$100 million in investment in the medium term thanks to the potential of opportunities it offers nationwide, Tourism Deputy Minister Mara Seminario said.

“There are a number of investment projects that have to be carried out in order to consolidate tourism development in different regions. We are presenting a variety of opportunities,” Seminario pointed out.

She opened the “Private Investment Opportunities in Tourist Destinations” forum, which showed the potential of private investment opportunities in renowned tourist destinations such as Moche Route, the northern beaches, Amazonas river, Paracas-Nazca, Arequipa and Puno.

“The projects we presented are based in a study conducted by Macroconsult consulting firm, which included interviews to public and private sectors in each destination,” the Vice Minister noted.

She went on to add that as a result of this study, the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) identified many investments options that exceeds US$100 million.

It is worth to mention that Mincetur and Peru’s private investment promotion agency (Proinversion) signed an agreement that will facilitate the implementation of such projects.

Tourism Deputy Minister Mara Seminario and the Executive
Director of ProInversion Jorge Leon. (Photo: ANDINA)

BEACHES OF AREQUIPA, LIMA
& TUMBES WIN ECO AWARDS
ANDINA. The beaches of Arequipa, Lima and Tumbes were the big winners of the 2011 Peru Eco-Beaches Awards, which recognise efforts in preserving the beauty of Peruvian beaches.

San Jose de Quilca in Arequipa, Sol y Mar in Asia and Isla del Faraón in Puerto Supe won in the natural, urban, rural and hotel categories, respectively. Hotel Caballito de Mar in Punta Sal, Tumbes won the top prize in the hotel category.

All these beaches received a symbolic light blue flag and a trophy that labeled them as the most beautiful and unspoilt beaches on the Peruvian coastline.

Punta Sal beach in Tumbes. (Photo: ANDINA)

LOCALS, TOURISTS LEARN
QUECHUA IN CUSCO’S MAIN SQUARE
ANDINA. Amautas, “teachers” in Quechua, of the Highest Academy of the Quechua Language (AMLQ) taught some 400 locals and 100 tourists at the main square of Cusco words, phrases and terms of such language, as part of the activities scheduled for its ‘Jubilee month.’

Divided in five groups, these ten teachers spread their knowledge to young and adults, as well as to domestic and foreign tourists, last week.

Simple words like masa (cheese), ñujñu (milk), sasa (difficult), usle (easy), wuayo (fruit), pacha rich’ay t’ijrakuy (climate change) and nanirusayqui (to make love) caught the attention of the students.

Armando Valenzuela, amauta and author of the books The Quechua wonders, origin, writing and literature; The Andean civilization; and Tourist routes of Cusco, was one of the most popular teachers.

He said that people from Cusco think that they know all about Quechua (speaking and writing), but when proving their knowledge they do not seem to be as good at it.

Amautas or "teachers" teach Quechua to locals and tourists
in Cusco. (Photo: ANDINA)

HISTORIC TRAIN LINKS PERU
AND CHILE ONCE AGAIN
ANDINA. The historic train linking Tacna, Peru, and Arica, Chile, resumed service for residents and tourists Monday, after the service was suspended last February to improve the route and address some concerns of the authorities.

Karen Rios, head of the railroad administration, said the 60-mile route lasts one hour and 15 minutes and will offer two departure times, 5:45 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

She explained that the work for re-operation was completed by the Tacna regional government with support of the Consulate of Peru in Arica. The route was previously damaged by the Lluta River.

"In addition, the licenses to operate vehicles have been updated, an observation made by the Ministry of Transport and Communications," she told Andina.

She stressed that the railway is a mode of transportation required by the people in the area. The trip costs S/. 10 for both Tacneños and tourists. Passengers pass through customs while boarding and unboarding the train.

This morning 50 passengers were on board; the maximum is 60, livinginperu.com reported.

The train was built in 1856 by an English company. Besides being the only international railway in the country, it is one of the oldest in Peru.

Inside of the station in Tacna is the Railway Museum, which features displays of locomotives, old photographs and prints of the train and the cities of Tacna and Arica.

Tacna-Arica train resumes service.

TOURIST ARRIVALS TO
COLCA VALLEY ON THE RISE
ANDINA. Total tourist arrivals to the Colca Valley in Arequipa reached 56,966 visitors in the first five months of 2011, up by 1,774 visitors year-on-year, according to the Colca Autonomous Authority (Autocolca).

The head of Autocolca, Miguel Velasquez Condori, said that 55,192 tourists visited this colorful Andean valley between January and May 2010.

Velasquez pointed out that April and May were the busiest months with 14,915 and 13,448 respectively; while rains affected tourist arrivals in the first quarter of the year.

Velasquez said that, in the coming months, Autocolca expects an increasing number of visitors during the high tourist season which begins this month.

“We estimate that between 1,400 and 1,500 tourists will arrive in the area every day,” Velasquez added.

Last year, 170,000 people visited the Colca valley, located 165 km north of the Andean city of Arequipa.

Colca Valley in Arequipa. (Photo: Autocolca)

PERUVIAN TOURISM EXPECTED
TO GROW 20% IN 2011
ANDINA. Tourism in Peru is expected to generate more than US$3.2 billion by the end of 2011, which would mean an increase of 20 percent compared to figures from last year, Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Eduardo Ferreyros said.

This increase is driven by the entry of a new international airline to the Peruvian market, as Air France will reopen the direct route from Paris to Lima with five weekly flights starting July 21, Ferreyros said.

"The French will spend more than US$2,000 on their visits. Along with the Spanish and Americans, they spend the most in our country," Ferreyros added.

Tourism was the third highest source of income for Peru in 2010, when it reached a milestone of US$2.74 billion and received 2.3 million international visitors.

In the first quarter of 2011, the country earned US$715 million in foreign exchange, which represented growth of 18 percent over the same period last year.

On last Thursday, the minister signed an agreement between Air France-KLM and Peru's Export and Tourism Promotion Board (PromPeru), marking the return of the French airline after 16 years.

"This process of free growth means that the country will improve its air connectivity with the world, and open a new destination in Europe via Air France," Ferreyros said.

Tourists in Cusco. (Photo: ANDINA)

TACNA GASTRONOMIC FAIR
EXPECTS TO RECEIVE 35,000 VISITORS
ANDINA. ‘Tacna, mucho gusto’ gastronomic fair, to be carried out from July 22 to 24 in Peru’s southern city of Tacna, expects to receive some 35,000 visitors.

Lila Barahona, municipal assistant manager of Youth, Sport and Social Promotion noted that the event, which will also feature food from Arequipa, Moquegua and Ica, will take place in Parque Peru located in the district of Pacollay.

“Last year with Promperu’s help, we organized a gastronomic fair that received 30,000 visitors. Now, we expect to welcome over 35,000 people. There will be 30 food stands, an area for desserts, pisco and wine and an exhibition of agricultural products,” Barahona told Andina news agency.

Admission will cost three soles, and prices of the dishes will range from five to ten soles, while desserts will cost three soles.

The assistant manager highlighted that Tacna has an important strategic location as it shares its borders with Chile, which is why there is great expectation regarding the amount of people from the southern country who will visit the gastronomic fair.

"Peru, mucho gusto" food festival launched
in Tacna. (Photo: ANDINA)

INTERNATIONAL TV NETWORKS TO BROADCAST
MACHU PICCHU'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
ANDINA. Television networks from around the world have shown interest in broadcasting the 100th anniversary celebration of Machu Picchu's scientific discovery, TV Peru's technical director Jose Aguilar said.

Aguilar told Andina news agency that they are coordinating with important international networks such as Cadena Sur and Japan’s NHK. Cadena Sur is broadcasted in several parts of the United States.

“NHK is not only interested in reporting about the event, but also in doing a live broadcast of the main celebrations,” he said.

Aguilar went on to say that the idea is to promote Peru around the world and that every international TV network which want to use TV Peru signal is welcome to do it and for free.

They still don’t have the list of all the channels which will use TV Peru signal, but the corresponding arrangements are still ongoing.

The main date for the centennial anniversary of the scientific discovery of Machu Picchu will be on July 7 with the staging of the traditional Tinkay ceremony and a salute from the `Cuatro Suyos’.

A sound and light show has been scheduled in the same place between 18:00 and 20:00 hours which will have the participation of the Andean Orchestra and Cusco’s Symphony Orchestra.

In addition, Cusco’s Main Square will celebrate from 18:00 hours until midnight with the event called “The party is in Cusco: concerts and live transmission of the sound and light show from Machu Picchu.”

Earlier Tuesday, the High Level Commission responsible for the organization of Machu Picchu’s centennial celebration announced that TV Peru will broadcast the main celebrations scheduled for the centennial anniversary of Machu Picchu on July 7.

High Level Commission responsible for the organization
of Machu Picchu’s centennial celebration. (Photo: ANDINA)

HUNDREDS OF INCA TOMBS
DISCOVERED IN PERU
ANDINA. Archaeologists in Peru have started registering 370 Inca tombs located just over two miles above sea level in the Andes mountains.

Some of the tombs found in the South of Peru still have the remains of the deceased located inside baskets made of woven ropes.

“There are various burial styles. We have tombs that are quadrangular, circular, terraced into the rock walls, we have some that are in holes, and we also have some underneath the stone floors,” Jorge Atauconcha, head of the Chumbivilcas archaeological zone, said.

"These individuals have a funeral characteristic that involved baskets made of rope and they were woven based on the individuals volume, and each time they were wrapped the volume of the body was reduced," Atauconcha told BBC.

Experts believe the site could yield more tombs and artifacts. However, the terrain is difficult to explore.

“Workers from the Ministry of Culture are currently in the process of registration. We have 372 tombs that are situated to the right of the basin of the Chinisiri and Kerone Rivers,” he added.

Experts have dated the site between 1400 and 1500 AD.

Peruvian archaeologists unearth ancient tombs. (Photo: ANDINA)

Nota del Director: Esta información está disponible en el portal de noticias oficial de Perú, Andina, que contiene valiosa información en inglés. Es el único portal que permite el uso de sus noticias siempre que se consigne la fuente. Las noticias no han sido editadas por T News, solo facilitadas para que la industria turística puede compartirla con sus contactos internacionales. Muchas de ellas ya fueron publicadas en castellano. Es un resumen semanal. Sólo en este caso, T News tendrá especial cuidado que las noticias sean prioritariamente convenientes a la imagen del país como destino de turistas y nuevas inversiones.