Machu Picchu may be the main
attraction, but Peru has a
lot more to offer.
What do you think agents need in order to better understand Peru?
I think it’s just a matter of education because Peru is a product that needs to be known in order to sell it. It is basically for discerning clients who have the sensibilities and education to appreciate what we have to offer. And I think you need education for that what’s in Peru, what’s going on, what about nature, what can agents offer? It’s also important not to over-promise the clients. We have beaches of course in Peru, but it’s not Cancun, so you have to know exactly what you say and what your customers might expect.
What is something you personally love about traveling in Peru?
Every community has a different type of handicraft and it’s the way they perceive their world, so you learn culture through these things as well as through our gastronomy. As you travel to different regions of Peru, people always offer you food and various handicrafts. I live in the capital, and when I go to other regions even I say ‘Oh my god, now I’m going to suffer,’ because I don’t eat so much but I get to have all these great meals! That’s just the way people express how they feel, and they love having visitors. This is a good thing for visitors, because nowadays there is a whole area of experiential travel and visitors don’t want to just sit inside, they want to know how people live, how they cook, why they are using this or that. It’s real.
So how are you going to bring attention to this? Do you have any plans?
We are taking part in many trade shows THETRADESHOW, motivation shows for groups as well as luxury shows, because the whole concept of luxury has changed and it goes very much with what we have to offer. We have really good properties and lots of high-end experiences. We are also working hand-in-hand with some tour operators. We have five tour operators that are working with us on marketing initiatives: Collette Vacations, Sunny Land Tours, Europe Express, PanAmerican Travel and International Expeditions.
In terms of infrastructure development, is there any new region or anything new?
A couple of years ago, we experienced a boom in hotels. New hotels have been coming to Peru, but also 80 percent or so of the four- and five-star hotels are looking to expand. The airport itself has been completely renovated. So there’s a lot going on.
What about Machu Picchu being named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World ?
That’s great exposure, but as a tourism board, we are also aware that our task is not just to focus on one area. We want to promote all areas, and specifically we want to make the trade aware that it’s not just Cuzco and Machu Picchu, we have lots to offer in the north, east and south. We always say that our biggest threat is that Americans don’t have enough vacation time there is time poverty here. So we have to be creative on how we propose itineraries. Of course we understand people want to see Machu Picchu, but people don’t realize that Peru is Amazon territory and 60 percent of Peruvian territory is jungle. People say, ‘Oh yes, Peru, the mountains, Machu Picchu, the Andes&,’ and that’s it. But Lima is on the Pacific. And if you go to the highlands, the landscape is completely different. And there are jungles as well. So it’s like visiting three countries in one.
www.peru.info
