Assessments underway to add direct int'l flights to cities other than Lima

13:37.

 Lima, Oct. 11. Assessments are underway to increase direct flights bound for different Peruvian regions so foreign tourists visiting the Inca nation do not necessarily have to stop in Lima, Peru's Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Eduardo Ferreyros affirmed.

To this end, the government official will meet with Copa Airlines executives today. “Certain airlines have already implemented Bogota-Cusco and Panama-Chiclayo (Lambayeque region) flights,” he said.

Likewise, the Minister stressed the need for more flights bound for said cities, as well as other destinations. In this respect, meetings with airlines to implement these kind of internal flights are underway.

“We've held dialogues to learn about flight break-even points or the number of passengers required to increase an airline's profitability. That's where we'll see if PromPeru (Peru's Exports and Tourism Promotion Board) can contribute with advertising and, eventually, with economic support to make those routes more cost-effective,” he explained.

Jorge Chavez Airport 2nd runway

On the other hand, the Tourism head noted studies are underway to assess the possibility of using other spaces until Jorge Chavez International Airport's 2nd runway is completed. 

“It is not simply a matter of waiting; we need to work on the new Jorge Chavez International Airport's terminal. In this sense, we are assessing the possibility of using existing spaces in Las Palmas (Air Base), as well as those in Air Group No. 8,” he said.

China Eastern 

Ferreyros also announced the first cargo-loaded China Eastern aircraft is expected to arrive in Peru on November 21.  He added the Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry can promote Peru as a tourist destination in the Asian Giant through airline campaigns in three major cities: Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, Peru's Chinese feeder cities.

Likewise, the Minister referred to southern Tacna and northern Tumbes regions as two key areas to achieve the country's foreign affairs and tourism goals. “Border tourism is fundamental to achieving our goals,” he expressed.

Peru's Mistura brand to travel the world next year

16:51.

 Lima, Sep. 1. The most important culinary festival in Latin America, Mistura, will travel the world next year, once the franchise process has been completed, Apega Chairman Bernardo Roca Rey said in its opening in the presence of President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

“Mistura turns international this year, with the participation of Mexican, Indian, Thai, Moroccan, Indonesian and Japanese cuisines, but we need to form an alliance to bring our gastronomy, our products and Mistura itself to other countries; that is why we will franchise Mistura this year, so that it can travel the world in 2017,” he said.

According to Roca Rey, there is no doubt Mistura has become the largest [food] fair in Latin America. “But we aim to turn it, with the support of the government, into a world class fair on gastronomy, culture and biodiversity.”

To achieve such goals, we need to coordinate actions with different sectors, such as foreign trade, agriculture, production, culture, foreign affairs, among others. “Apega believes the State is responsible for introducing gastronomy oriented politics, just as Mexico or Thailand did.”

Apega proposed the new government to boost gastronomy as part of a cross-development agenda. “We also suggested various ways to strengthen management capacity and service quality of food-related businesses, train intermediate technical personnel in cooking and service within popular sectors, promote technological innovation, enhance agricultural chains, among other measures.”

Apega’s official said Mistura will have its own fairground in the future, thanks to public-private efforts. This way, you don’t have to take down the entire fair, considering it took 10 days to build.

Finally, he assured gastronomy is called to play a key role in the Bicentennial of Peru’s Independence, as it is a crucial element of identity, culture, national pride, social cohesion, and contribution to the country’s equitable economic growth.

“We are keen to work hand-in-hand with you Mr. President,” he said after noting the gastronomic boom has just begun.

Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski opened the 2016 food festival in the presence of cooks, culinary experts, attendees and foodies.

Peru: Over 1.8 million tourists to visit natural protected areas in 2016

13:48.

 Lima, Jun. 2. Peru's well-preserved natural protected areas have enabled the country to exceed expectations on sustainable tourism, the State-run National Service of Natural Protected Areas (Sernanp) announced.

At the beginning of the year, 2016's goal stood at 600,000 visitors. Following considerations, the figure was increased to 1,800,000.

In this sense, Sernanp Head Pedro Gamboa affirmed that tourism growth "is due to" the strategy implemented nationwide.

Such strategy "is the result of proper conservation management and basic, as well as infrastructure services enhancement witnessed across the areas."

The measure has been recognized by entrepreneurs and thus generated confidence among them to "make new investments in the country."

Commercialization

On the other hand, Gamboa explained that population's active participation and engagement has led to good results over the last four and a half years. 

 

"130,000 people have found a socio-economic development opportunity in natural protected areas, leading to income worth S/320 million (about 96.96 million) [...]," the official explained.

Peru, Malaga pursue cooperation on tourism, gastronomy and investment issues

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13:03.

 Lima, May. 12. Peru’s Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Magali Silva informed the Government of Peru and Malaga (Spain) authorities will work on issues like tourist development, gastronomy and investment.

Silva met with Malaga's County Council's President Elias Bendodo in a World Tourism Organization annual meeting to exchange experiences and learn about the Malaga tourism model, as well as investment and export positioning strategies.

She noted the fact that “Peru has been working actively to turn tourism into a source of employment and income for the country, as we are willing to learn from Malaga and Costa del Sol experiences, mainly from the successful tourism promotion model that makes them one of the main international actors.”

The government official claimed there is much to do to develop the Pacific Coast and, as a result of this meeting, “we believe Costa del Sol investors will eventually think of Peru and bring their expertise here.”

Malaga drew more than 11 million visitors in 2015, with its tourism industry contributing nearly €6 billion to the province economy. 

Meanwhile, Peru has been positioning the investment and hotel real estate sector.

Another area of interest for Peru is Malaga County Council's successful experience in creating the brand “Sabor a Malaga.” 

According to Bendodo, Malaga authorities have kept track of Peru over the past years, and witnessed its transformation into an attractive opportunity for tourism, investment and exports.

(END) CNA/JJN/RMB/MVB

Published: 5/12/2016

Food tourism forum contributions pave the way for future success

17:23.

 Lima, Apr. 30. Ideas and contributions emerging from the 2nd UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism have sown the seed to empower tourism industry in our country, but it will germinate only if Peruvians prove perseverance, Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Magali Silva affirmed.

Inbound tourism has increased over the past five years and by the end of this presidential term it will have expanded more than 43%; as for gastronomic trips, we have gone from 8% to 20% in the same period, according to Promperu.

“Peruvian gastronomy has benefited the less favored actors across the value chain; for this reason, the combination between tourism and gastronomy poses many challenges for us to meet, and I’m sure we will,” she pointed out.

She said the country needs more roads, ports, airports and rural paths to link those communities with markets without losing their essence, “by introducing them with a fair value for the product or service they provide or intend to offer.”

“To us and the world, gastronomic tourism is a social inclusion tool, an instrument capable of incorporating all the country’s isolated sectors, with which tourism and gastronomy have already involved to overcome poverty,” she added.

Peru: Thousands of tourists to arrive in Ica thanks to brand-new Pisco Int'l Airport

17:19.

 Pisco (Ica region), Mar. 31. The modern Pisco International Airport will serve as platform for bringing thousands of tourists into the region and generate huge benefits to diverse sectors and residents, Ica Region Governor Fernando Cilloniz affirmed.

"Entrepreneurs and tourists from all over the world will arrive here. The airport's level of excellence competes with the world's very best. It's a privilege to have received this central government-promoted investment," the official indicated. 

According to the governor, public-private infrastructure developed in Ica —above all in the city of Paracas— will contribute to a greater number of arrivals at the region's top destinations as well.

Cilloniz participated in the official ceremony marking the inauguration of the modern Pisco International Airport. 

Corresponding construction entailed an investment of S/150 million (about US$44.38 million).

The project comprises a passenger terminal and complementary areas, a cargo terminal, a service and office building, a platform for aircrafts, a vehicular traffic area, a perimeter fence and new equipment.

Peru: Thousands celebrate Cusco's Kacharpari Carnival

Peru: Thousands celebrate Cusco's Kacharpari Carnival

14:04.

 Lima, Feb. 15. By dancing to the beat of typical and colorful music under bright sunshine, Cusco's people celebrated the great Kacharpari carnival on Sunday.

The festivity was inaugurated by Cusco residents at the city's Main Square during the morning. The parade saw citizens wearing traditional costumes, who marched across streets and avenues.

Over 20 delegations from several private and public institutions, as well as civil society participated in this cultural event.

Thousands of locals and tourists also took part in the festive activities by becoming witnesses of the amazing performances and decorative scenarios. 

Dances —such as Wallatas, Tupay, Wallata Salkaqocha or even Cusco's Carnival— amazed members of the jury, who assessed punctuality, attitudes, choreographies, costumes and quality displayed during the contest. 

Cusco's Municipal Company of Festivities (Emufec) Director Oscar Alzamora indicated that the city lived carnival celebrations to the full.

Likewise, he stressed that residents revalue their traditions and customs by performing a wide variety of typical dances.

 

Immersed in a joyful environment, domestic and foreign tourists did not stay immune to any of these cultural activities. They also enjoyed and danced to the rhythm of carnival music.