Peru: Arequipa residents participate in Chicha Festival to commemorate 475th Anniversary

• Photo: ANDINA/Rocío Méndez

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19:02.

 Arequipa, Aug. 07. Large numbers of visitors gathered at the Arequipa’s Main Square to celebrate the third edition of the Chicha Festival intended to boost the traditional beverage consumption within the framework of the 475th Anniversary of the city.

Over 25 traditional restaurants also called Picanterias offered chicha de guiñapo, which consumption is promoted by Sociedad Picantera de Arequipa, a city-established guild comprising restaurants specialized in offering spicy dishes.

The aforementioned association organized the event, which also encouraged the consumption the Arequipan cuisine.

On this occasion, the society forecasted last year's 10,000 glasses of the beverage -sold to attendees- would be exceeded.

Chicha de guiñapo is made of Arequipa region-harvested black corn, which is germinated, dried and ground. Once ground, it is boiled for several hours, later filtered and poured into clay jars until it has fermented. A couple days later it is ready to delight tasters.

Cusco, Arequipa, Tarapoto and Piura, most popular destinations on national holidays

Cusco, Arequipa, Tarapoto and Piura, most popular destinations on national holidays

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  Photo: ANDINA/archivo

12:48.

 Lima, Jul. 24. The cities of Cusco, Arequipa, Tarapoto and Piura top the ranking of Peru’s popular tourist spots during this year’s National Day holidays, Despegar.com travel agency informed.

On the matter, Marketing Manager Ingrid Carranza said the demand for trips to these cities on previous days has increased by more than 70% compared to last year.

Flight tickets sales to Cusco rose by 85%, followed by Arequipa (70%) and Tarapoto (65%).

“These destinations are popular among Peruvians due to the wide range of tourist activities, gastronomy and wonderful landscapes such cities have to offer,” the travel agency added.

The average ticket price was US$89, while lodging rates can be about US$25. Cusco sees the greatest increase in hotel demand.

“This season users have opted to buy their flight tickets before making their hotel reservations. As for the payment of services, 70% of them preferred to use credit cards and the other 30% decided to make it via bank transfers,” the agency informed.

Chincha, Ica, Paracas and Nazca are the most popular spots in Lima's surrounding areas, as they have emerged as ideal destinations for short trips with family, friends or that special someone.

It should be noted that Despegar.com users, aged 25 on average, plan their journey three weeks in advance, have always credit line availability, arrange their trip as they wish, get informed before making a purchasing decision and travel at least twice or three times a year.

Despegar.com is the largest travel agency in Latin America. It was established in 1999 and operates in 21 countries across the region.

(END) RPG/RGP/RMB/MVB

Published: 24/07/2015

Peru celebrated Pisco National Day

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  Photo: ANDINA/Difusión

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01:45.

 Lima, Jul. 27. Thousands of Peruvian and foreign citizens celebrated the Pisco National Day by tasting the national distilled drink's diverse varieties at different sites, such as: Restaurants, bars, squares or at home. 

One of the most visited places for the said purpose was the Alameda Chabuca Grande located near the Lima’s Main Square. The celebration was lightened up by the artistic program enjoyed by the crowd and tourist, above all.

Pisco samplings and Peruvian traditional dishes were tasted and drink bottles sold to customers.

In the Pueblo Libre district, enterprises organized a Pisco festival marking the National Independence Day celebrations (July28-29).
Thus, attendees were allowed to try the amazing drinks: Apple Pisco Sour, Traditional Pisco Sour, as well as Peruvian food.

The Peruvian Pisco Day is celebrated during the July month’s fourth Sunday since 1999, as was established through a Ministerial Resolution.

Machu Picchu to mark 8 years since election as new wonder of the world

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  Photo: ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán

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09:35.

 Lima, Jul. 04. The district of Machu Picchu will celebrate on Tuesday the 8th anniversary of the Incan citadel’s election as one of the official New 7 Wonders of the World, it was reported.

The Municipality, through the Municipal Ordinance No. 020-2015-MDM/CM decreed the placing of Tahuantinsuyo flags all over the area as a sign of civic and cultural pride, and designated 7 July as a non-working holiday.

Machu Picchu Mayor Delman David Gayoso Garcia said holiday celebrations will take place since 8:00 hrs. and will run until 18:00 hrs. local time as it is considered to be an important day for Machu Picchu and its people.

The Official New 7 Wonders of the World were announced in random order at the Official Declaration Ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal. 

According to New7Wonders' official website, more than 100 million votes were cast worldwide by that time and finally the Incan Empire’s most representative construction was crowned on 7 July 2007.

Workers will have to make up for the holiday the following week or when requested by the company.

(END) PHS/TMC/MAO/RMB

Published: 04/07/2015

Machu Picchu to mark 8 years since election as new wonder of the world

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 Lima, Jul. 04. The district of Machu Picchu will celebrate on Tuesday the 8th anniversary of the Incan citadel’s election as one of the official New 7 Wonders of the World, it was reported.

The Municipality, through the Municipal Ordinance No. 020-2015-MDM/CM decreed the placing of Tahuantinsuyo flags all over the area as a sign of civic and cultural pride, and designated 7 July as a non-working holiday.

Machu Picchu Mayor Delman David Gayoso Garcia said holiday celebrations will take place since 8:00 hrs. and will run until 18:00 hrs. local time as it is considered to be an important day for Machu Picchu and its people.

The Official New 7 Wonders of the World were announced in random order at the Official Declaration Ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal. 

According to New7Wonders' official website, more than 100 million votes were cast worldwide by that time and finally the Incan Empire’s most representative construction was crowned on 7 July 2007.

Workers will have to make up for the holiday the following week or when requested by the company.

Nearly 200,000 people enjoy Inti Raymi ceremony in Cusco

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  Photo: ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán

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15:44.

 Cusco, Jun. 24. About 200,000 people enjoy the spectacular staging of the Inti Raymi ceremony celebrated at three different venues in Cusco: Qoricancha Temple, Cusco’s Main Square and Sacsayhuaman Fortress, it was informed.

According to Oscar Alzamora, Director of the Municipal Company of Festivities in Cusco (Emufec), the ceremony brings almost 200,000 people together spread out over the three venues and main streets of downtown Cusco.

Inti Raymi activities started this morning at 9 a.m. at the Qoricancha Temple, where the Inca, whose role is played by Nivardo Carrillo, sang to the Sun God and asked him for prosperity.

Delegations representing each of the four suyos or regions of the Inca Empire, that is, Antisuyo (East), Contisuyo (West), Qollasuyo (South), Chinchaysuyo (North) joined the acting coming from their respective directions.

Stands were set up to house attendees within the perimeter of the Qoricancha’s terrace. The performance lasted almost an hour and then headed to Cusco’s Main Square, located just a block and a half away.

Once in there, Andean seers and priests proceeded to read Cusco’s future in coca leaves and predicted development and prosperity for the people.

Public order and calm was maintained thanks to the support of police officers, firefighters, health care workers, and municipal patrol guards among others.

The Inca is heading to the archaeological park of Sacsayhuaman, where a large number of people have been waiting to see the central ceremony.

The Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun was an Incan ceremony held in the capital of Tahuantinsuyo year after year at the end of the harvest period.

(END) PHS/JCR/MAO/RMB/MVB

Over 1.13 million tourists visited Peru in first 4 months of 2015

• Photo: ANDINA/archivo

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09:00.

 Lima, Jun. 13. The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Magali Silva, informed that international tourist arrivals grew 8.4% to 1,13 million visitors in first fourth-month period of the year, compared to the same period last year.

She highlighted the rise in the number of Chilean arrivals to the country, which has reached 50,821 so far this year, up 16.4% against the previous year. This way, Chile has positioned as the main source market for tourists, accounting for 31.9% of total arrivals.

"We are seeing the fruits of the promotion campaign undertaken in main cities of Chile and the border region, which has reversed the negative trend from last year," he said.

 

The growth of Latin American tourist arrivals stood out in the first quarter with Ecuador (10.9%), Argentina (8.4%), Mexico (8.2%), Colombia (7.4%) and Brazil (3.7%) as the most prominent examples.

Germany and Spain results also excelled, since the number of international tourist arrivals to Peru from those countries increased by 6.9% and 6.4%, respectively.

Our main markets in Latin America, which accounted for 54.6% of total arrivals in the first four months of the year, maintained a significant growth led by Chile (16.4%).

 

As for Asia, South Korea posted a sustained growth of 59%, higher than the first quarter’s accumulated average. This market’s presence is maintained in major international events.

 

In Europe, Italy and the United Kingdom stood out as Peru’s main tourist markets with growth rates of 9.3% and 6.3%, respectively, followed by France, Germany and Spain, where the advertising campaign Peru Land of Hidden Treasures is being developed.

The US market accounted for 14% of total arrivals between January and April, and it is the second largest source market for tourists to Peru.

 

(END) JJN/JJN/RMB

Published: 13/06/2015