Living in Peru : your everyday companion

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

British chain Orient-Express Hotels Trains & Cruises announced that in August it will start the construction of a five-star hotel project in Las Nazarenas Convent in Cusco, with an investment of US $ 14 million dollars.

In 2007, this enterprise was authorized by the Peruvian National Institute of Culture (INC) to begin working at both regional and national level, but it did not receive the authorization from Cusco's Municipality.

Authorities opposed to the construction of underground tunnels between Las Nazarenas Convent and Monasterio Hotel.

According to the general manager of Monasterio Hotel Patricio Zucconi, this issue was solved in November 2008 when they gave up on the underground tunnels' project, and thus obtained the respective license.

According to the project's budget, US $ 13 millions will be destined to build new facilities, while US $1 million has been reserved for remodeling old ones.

The new five-star will have five massage rooms, gym, health and beauty spa, restaurant, warm pool, business center, multi use hall and a meeting area.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Sol & Luna Lodge & Spa boutique resort hotel is investing US $ 5 million dollars in the expansion of its hotel located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Urubamba province (Cusco).

The hotel's expansion plan includes the construction of 15 new luxury bungalows, which will add up to the 28 they already have.

These small luxury houses, built in a 20,000 square meters area, will have a private garden and terraces, and a great view to Sacred Valley.

The expansion works include a new multiple-use hall with room for more than 150 people.

These works are expected to be concluded by December 2009.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Local tourist guides Saul Ceron (Arequipa) and Mario Tapia Meza (Ollantaytambo) were the winners of a worldwide competition run by Leaplocal.org.

The contestants were judged by an international panel of responsible tourism experts, including journalists and authors: five judges each picked six winning local tourist guides and services and then debated the results during a live online conference.

Saul Ceron and Mario Tapia were winners without debate.

Mario is very pleased to be amongst the winners: "It's amazing to know I'm a winner, you can't imagine how happy I am,” he says.

The four other winners are from India, Fiji, the Philippines and Easter Island.

Leap Local’s goal is to keep tourism dollars in the pockets of local communities, and the next Leap Local competition will be held at the end of 2009.

There are currently 141 Peruvians reviewed on their website: Leaplocal.org

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Star Peru General Manager, Roman Kasianov, considered that there is still room in the Peruvian market to reduce air fares, but an appropriate strategy is required.

In January, the Peruvian Association of airlines (APEA) noted that air fares could be reduced by 20% in the first quarter of 2009, as long as the price of oil continues dropping.

A reduction of the fares could take place in a scenario where there is an assessment of the actual impact this measure, both for airlines and consumers.

"Clear strategies are required in order to both investors and consumers win” said Kasianov.

Kasianov remarked that this year the demand for tickets remains stable and it is expected to continue that way until the end of 2009.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Approximately 70 thousand tourists have arrived in Arequipa since January 2009, a similar figure to the same period last year, reported Rocío Cervantes, manager Regional Foreign Trade and Tourism.

From all those visitors, 15,000 were Peruvian and 55,000 were foreigners, especially coming from the US and Europe.

The official said that these figures are important, and that they show how the global financial crisis has not affected the tourism sector in Arequipa.

Adding to this optimism, the high season is just starting and will last until August, and the tourists' arrivals are expected to grow by 18%.

Arequipa's most visited areas are the Colca Valley, the Historic Downtown and the countryside.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Revenues from tourism along the Amazonía - Andes - Pacífico International Route connecting Peru and Brazil could reach US $ 225 million dollars by 2010, according with the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae).

"We expect 100,000 domestic tourists touring this new route every year, with a turnover of US$ 150 million,” said Orlando Sabino, a Sebrae representative.

In addition, they expect 50,000 foreign tourists and to receive US$ 75 million in tourism revenues.

He noted that this International Tourism Route will strengthen the connection between Rio Branco (Brazil) and Cusco provinces.

According to the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur),this project aims to increase the flow of tourists between both countries, since the area can attract tourism.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

At least 2 or 3 five-star hotels will be built this year in the department of Puno, southern Peru, reported the president of the Chamber of Hotels of Puno, Sandro Delgado Valer.

“Hotels would not be only built  in Puno City, but also in other nearby cities like Juliaca”, he said, adding that the names of the hotel chains are being kept private.

Delgado added that the investors' interest in this area is a sample of the “hotel boom” that Puno is currently experiencing and of its promotion as a Peruvian tourist destination.

She also remarked that media should be careful with the information about the AH1N1 influenza, to avoid generating alarm among the foreign visitors.

"Some tourists that had planned to go to Mexico eventually redirected their visit to Peru,” she said.

Delgado added, in this regard, that they will insist in the training of the hotel personnel to improve the customer service, food handling and cleanliness.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Barranco, a traditional Limean district known by its artistic and cultural scene, has recently opened its own city tour, in a "Mirabús" managed by CitySightseeing Lima.

The route, designed for the foreign and national tourist as well, travels through the district's main attractions of the district, from Larcomar Shopping Mall towards Barranco Municipality.

The tour includes the current Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC), Barranco's Main Square, the "Bridge of the Sighs", the Viewpoint, the Chabuca Granda way and the "Bajada a los Baños" (the old path to the beaches).

This tour, full of tradition, lasts some 45 minutes, ending with a visit to the Museum Pedro of Osma, that showcases one of the better collections of colonial art in Lima.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The 30% drop in travel packages' prices (for domestic and foreign destinations), due to the international crisis, is one of the principal reasons why Peruvians are travelling more often, said today Nuevo Mundo Viajes, a Nuevo Mundo Group's travel agency.

“This price drop will not happen again in a long time. It's time to travel” said Maria del Carmen de Filomeno, the Receptive and Internal Tourism Manager of Nuevo Mundo Viajes.

Domestic travel figures during last Holy Week were very positive, and a similar results are expected for the Inti Raymi Festival next June, since booking rates are growing fast.

“We are very optimistic: we see a continuous increasing in the area”, she said to Andina news agency.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Tourism in Colca Valley grew 25% in April compared to the same month in 2008, announced the Colca Autonomous Authority (AutoColca), which manages this touristic spot located in Caylloma, Arequipa.

According to AutoColca figures, European and American (US) tourists are the most frequent visitors of Colca: 12,031 tourists visited the Colca Valley in April, that is, 7,531 foreigners, 3,265 Peruvians and 1,235 students.

Autocolca also reported that during the first four months of the year, the Colca Valley received 36,521 visitors, a significant increase versus a year ago.

AutoColca representative Carlos Corrales thinks that this increasing is due to the successful promotion campaign of the area, which is currently participating in the New 7 Wonders Foundation contest.

Colca Valley currently ranks third in Group D of the contest, a category that includes caves, rock formations and valleys.

Have other topics you'd like to see in our news section? If you or someone you know would like to contribute a news article to Living in Peru, whether it's translated or based on a personal investigation, send it to editor@livinginperu.com.