Peru has a diverse landscape and climate that attracts millions of international tourists annually. The three main attractions are Machu Picchu, known for its mountain architecture and history; Madre de Dios in the Amazon jungle, offering wildlife and nature; and Saksaywaman in Cusco, featuring impressive Inca stonework. Tourism contributes significantly to Peru's economy, though infrastructure and safety issues pose challenges. Looting of archaeological sites also threatens Peru's cultural heritage. Overall, Peru has tremendous potential for sustainable tourism development if these problems can be addressed.

1. Tourism in Peru
[Marissa Khoukaz: GBUS 492]

2. What Are the
Advantages &
Disadvantages of
Tourism in Peru?

3. • About 60% of
Peru is jungle,
but only about
5% of the
population lives
there.
• Vast majority
of the
population lives
on the coast
• Peru is made up
of tropical
climates,
deserts, ocean
coastlines,
mountains, and
lush wildlife.

4. Tourist Demographics
1. Chilean
2. Americans (USA)
3. Ecuadorians
4. Argentinians
5. Colombians
6. Brazilians
7. Spanish
8. Bolivians
9. French
10. Venezuelans
11. Germans
12. Canadians
13. Japanese
14. English
15. Mexican

5. Tourist Attractions in Peru
• Machu Picchu
− 2500+ tourists visit each day
and revenues reach over 35
million USD annually
− What was its purpose? Retreat,
science center, religious?
− How was it built? Mountain
needed to be leveled,
incredible stonework.
− Very popular for hiking (Inca
Trail, Huayana Picchu
− Takes an average of 3.5 hours
to arrive from Cusco

6. Tourist Attractions…
• Madre de Dios
− Ecotourism hotspot
− Located in the Amazon jungle
− Lush wildlife and landscape – over 1000 types
of insects and birds, hundreds of mammals

7. Tourist Attractions...
• Saksaywaman
− Capital of Inca Empire –
“Head of the Puma” of
Cusco
− Called a fortress, but
acted as a small city &
served a religious
purpose
− Needs to be imagined in
its full splendor
− Incredible stonework
without mortar: how
were these stones carved
and transported? (weigh
tons!)

8. Tourist Attractions…
• Lake Titicaca
− 12,500 feet above sea level
− Highest navigable lake. Largest lake in
South America by volume
− Known for beauty & local culture
− “Where civilization first began” for Inca
people
− Name means “Rock of the Puma”
• Nazca Lines
− Geoglyphs in Nazca Desert
− Naturally preserved
− What were they used for? Theories:
religious, cosmology, manufacturing,
irrigation, astrology.

9. Effect on Peruvian Economy
• 3.16 million Int’l visitors in 2013
• Growing 25%/year as of 2012
• T&T contributes est. 3.4% to GDP directly & 9% indirectly
• 300,000+ jobs & 2.3% of employment directly (7.4% and 1
million jobs directly)
• Government invests about 3% in tourism
• Peru is efficient at using very little space to create a positive
economic impact. 1 hectare of land = 10,000 jobs and 1
million USD in revenue for hospitality.

10. Source: World Travel & Tourism Council

11. Ease of Being a Tourist in Peru
• Affordable: strong USD + low prices
• USD accepted widely
• Uber & Air Bnb
• Friendly locals
• Decent English-speaking population

12. Difficulty of Being a Tourist In Peru
• Infrastructure lacking
• Crime, terrorism, & drug trafficking
• Altitude sickness
• Disease: contamination, mosquito-borne, etc.
• Unlicensed taxis, limited means of transportation
• Inauthentic goods

13. • Illegal artifact trade is huge problem
• Peruvian gov’t has had success combatting
− Offering money
− Have retrieved some artifacts from other countries
− Checking at airports and borders
• Looters dig or steal at night
− Over 100,000 Moche tombs looted
• Sell to tourists and collectors
• Special order looting
Illegal Activities & Tourism

14. Areas for Improvement
• Safety: terrorism, crime, drug trade
• Infrastructure: transportation, water, internet
• Sanitation facilities: water, sewer, disease
• Price competitiveness in travel industry: hotels pricier
than neighboring countries, airlines subject to lots of
taxes
• Environmental: preservation of resources (limiting
tourists), historical sites, damaging practices (logging,
looting, etc.)

15. QUESTIONS?

16. Sources:
• http://traveltips.usatoday.com/lake-titicaca-1299.html
• http://www.wttc.org/-
/media/files/reports/benchmark%20reports/country%20results/peru%20benchmarking%202013.pdf
• http://www.perunature.com/madre-de-dios-region-peru.html
• World Economic Forum Competitiveness Report 2013
• http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-machu-picchu-draws-us35-million-in-revenue-annually-103199
• http://www.cusco-peru.org/cusco-surroundings-cusco-sacsayhuaman.shtml
• http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/21/looters-latin-america-archaeological-heritage
• http://www.examiner.com/article/looting-of-peru-s-ancient-treasures-is-worse-now-than-spanish-colonial-times
• http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/03/nasca/hall-text/1