Peru: Arequipa to welcome 23,000 on Holy Week

Peru: Arequipa to welcome 23,000 on Holy Week

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  Photo: ANDINA/archivo

16:01.

 Lima, Apr. 03. Some 23,000 tourists will travel to the Arequipa region for the Holy Week (Thursday – Sunday), mainly attracted by the Colca Valley, the Head of the Arequipa regional Foreign Trade and Tourism office Alfredo Venero estimated.

The official claimed the number of tourists -expected to arrive in Peru’s Southern region- will increase by 7%, if compared to the same period last year.

The amount of visitors “satisfies” the sector demands and encourages residents to continue promoting the region, touristically speaking, Venero said.

On a national scale, the Arequipa city is the second most visited by Peruvians "when it comes to domestic tourism."

At the same time, most of the national tourists, who are anxious about travelling to Arequipa, come from Lima. Those are followed by residents of Cusco and Puno.

Venero assured the Colca Valley is the most visited site by tourists, who “worship the natural landscape” to be found in the area, where the “flight of the condor” is considered one of its main attractions.

(END) RMC/MAO/MVB

Published: 03/04/2015

7 out of 10 Peruvians prefer to save for financing their holidays

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  Photo: ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán

12:48.

 Lima, Apr. 03. Peruvians prefer saving money for a period of time, in order to spend it on holidays rather than using a credit card or applying for a loan, Benjamin Edwards, Director of Planning at Tribal 121 affirmed.

According to the report “Tell me how you travel, and I will tell you what opportunities you are missing,” issued by the same consulting firm, 36% of Peruvians make a domestic trip throughout the year. Of those, 43% seek to rest and relax. Meanwhile, 29% want to “go for a stroll” with their relatives.

“71% of Peruvians, travelling with family or friends, save in order to go on holidays [It means they don’t go into debt]. This is followed by 33%, who spend the up-to-the-moment earned wage/salary, while only 9% use a credit card [for this purpose],” he told Andina news agency.

According to Edwards, most of the people “don’t want go into debt.”

Therefore, "they travel with money earned throughout the month" because some business establishments, located in the Peruvian provinces don’t take credit cards, unlike cash.

He also highlighted 74% of Peruvians, indeed, plan their trips. The remaining 24% don’t. Of the 74%, 42% “plan it one week or less in advance.” Others take: Two weeks (21%), three weeks (10%), four weeks (24%) and more than one month (3%).

Most of those travelers choose, which sites to visit based on “word of mouth” campaigns, being those the main means of promotion (54%) as suggested by acquaintances, he added.

In this sense, the Peruvian government has implemented the site ytuqueplanes.com. It aims at encouraging Peruvian, Bolivian, Chilean, Colombian and Ecuadorian people to travel to Peruvian cities.

(END) JCC/JJN/MVB

Published: 03/04/2015

Machu Picchu to be explored through Google Street View

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  Photo: ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán

11:33.

 Lima, Mar. 27. Google Street View will allow the world’s internet users to explore the majesty of the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu (Cusco region).

Fernado Astete said thanks to the horizontal, vertical and 360° degree views, provided by technology, the world will be able to see the details of this archaeological wonder.

"People will be able to discover Machu Picchu, its architecture, construction, design and its interior, seeing the details of every space of this citadel," declared Astete to Andina agency news.

However, it is necessary to show other Peruvian archaeological wonders, he indicated.

"There are so many places to discover, such as the Pyramids of Tucume, of the Sun and others located in the North," he expressed.

The Culture Ministry indicated a group of Google employees are already working in Peru, in order to register 91 real properties declared as Nation's Cultural Heritage.

Also included are the Sacred City of Caral, located in Lima, and Chan Chan citadel in La Libertad region.

The Ministry of Culture has provided recommendations for the execution of this project, which will allow spreading archaeological heritage through virtual tours on Google Street View.

Nearly 3,000 police officers deployed in Cusco for Holy Week

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  Photo: ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán

10:41.

 Cusco, Apr. 02. Some 3,000 police officers have been deployed in Peru's main tourist destination, Cusco, to safeguard citizens and thousands of foreign visitors who flock to the ancient Inca capital for the Holy Week observance, Cusco’s Governor Edwin Licona informed.

All the necessary actions have been taken into account given the fact that Cusco is one of the most popular spots to visit by domestic and foreign tourists.

Holy Week in Cusco began with the Lord of the Earthquakes procession. The image of the crucified Christ is said to have saved the city from destruction during a major earthquake in 1650.

The event brought thousands of people around Cusco’s main square, Plaza San Francisco, Plaza Regocijo and downtown area.

"We have 3,000 police officers in the area to ensure order and bring calm to visitors, who are already arriving at Cusco airport and bus stations," Licona pointed out.

As usual, tourists will visit archaeological centers and enjoy Cusco’s regional cuisine, which is why a security plan has been launched to reinforce the police presence in various locations.

Other organizations, such as Cusco’s Fire Station, are willing to help make sure this celebration goes off without any problems.

Peru: About 25,000 tourists expected to flock to La Libertad on Holy Week

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  Photo: ANDINA/Difusión

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10:42.

 Lima, Mar. 26. Some 25,000 domestic and international tourists will arrive in Peru's Northern La Libertad as part of the observance of Holy Week, regional manager of La Libertad’s Foreign Trade and Tourism department Eduardo Azabache Alvarado informed.

“We expect 25,000 visitors; this projection is based on the fact that nearly 100% of tourist accommodation facilities are full to capacity. The growth forecast remains unchanged from last year,” he affirmed.

According to Azabache, each tourist is expected to spend on average around S/.500 (about US$163) per day for 4 days. This makes a total of S/.50,000,000 (about US$16,307,893) for the oncoming Holy Week holidays. 

The Peruvian provinces chosen by tourists on Holy Week include: Trujillo, Ascope, Pacasmayo, Chepen, Otuzco and Gran Chimu (Cascas), in this order.

Neither robberies nor assaults on tourists have been observed so far this year; however, a total of 40 police officers will be added to the Tourism Unit to reinforce security. There are only 42 agents to date.

(END) OAL/MAO/RMB/MVB

Published: 26/03/2015

Machu Picchu to be explored through Google Street View

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  Photo: ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán

11:33.

 Lima, Mar. 27. Google Street View will allow the world’s internet users to explore the majesty of the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu (Cusco region).

Fernado Astete said thanks to the horizontal, vertical and 360° degree views, provided by technology, the world will be able to see the details of this archaeological wonder.

"People will be able to discover Machu Picchu, its architecture, construction, design and its interior, seeing the details of every space of this citadel," declared Astete to Andina agency news.

However, it is necessary to show other Peruvian archaeological wonders, he indicated.

"There are so many places to discover, such as the Pyramids of Tucume, of the Sun and others located in the North," he expressed.

The Culture Ministry indicated a group of Google employees are already working in Peru, in order to register 91 real properties declared as Nation's Cultural Heritage.

Also included are the Sacred City of Caral, located in Lima, and Chan Chan citadel in La Libertad region.

The Ministry of Culture has provided recommendations for the execution of this project, which will allow spreading archaeological heritage through virtual tours on Google Street View.

German President visits Machu Picchu

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  Photo: ANDINA

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20:41.

 Lima, Mar. 23. Touched and impressed was the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Joachim Gauck after touring the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu (Cusco region).

The German Head of State arrived in the Machu Picchu Pueblo district at 09:40 AM (local time) on Monday morning.

Upon arrival, Mr. Gauck was welcomed by school students and local authorities.

The Mayor of the district, David Gayoso Garcia, declared him an “Illustrious Visitor” and granted him the “Keys to the City.”

The German Head of State saw the water fountains, the Sacred Plaza, the Main Square and The Three Window Temple, among other interesting Machu Picchu attractions.

He was accompanied by Peruvian Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister, Magali Silva, and officials of Cusco’s Regional Directorate of Culture.

The Machu Picchu archaeological park’s Chief, Fernando Astete, described him as a “simple” and “kind person.”

According to Astete, Mr. Gauck highlighted the preservation and relevance of Machu Picchu in the world.

Cathedral visit

Around 2:00 PM (local time) the President returned to Cusco City.

Mr. Gauck also visited the Basilica Cathedral. There, he was given a Holy Rosary by the city's Archbishopric.

The guest was amazed by the site’s architectonic beauty. 

He also thanked Monsignor Richard Alarcon Urrutia (Cusco Archbishop) for joining him throughout the religious tour.

(END) PHS/MAO/MVB

Published: 23/03/2015