Carnivals will move tourism from Ancash, Cajamarca and Tumbes in February

National tourism is facing its most uncertain hour as a result of the outbreak of protests against the Government in various regions of the country. However, the celebration of some local festivities draws a light of hope in some departments. This is the case of Cajamarca, which is preparing to receive its traditional carnival between February 18 and 20.

The Cajamarca carnival returns this year for the first time after the Covid-19 pandemic and the economy of this region sees in this celebration an opportunity for its reactivation, mentions Eusebio Díaz López, president of the Cajamarca Regional Chamber of Tourism.

The representative of the business union indicates that the 2020 carnival mobilized around 20,000 tourists between nationals and foreigners. This year, the number would increase. “Today an influx of 30,000 (tourists) is forecast,” he says.

The estimate stems from the high reception that hotel reservations have had for these dates. “100% of the rooms are already sold out and people keep calling to reserve one,” he mentions.

For his part, José Manuel Rojas, president of the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Allied Cajamarca (Now Cajamarca), estimates that the number of visitors could range between 35,000 and 40,000, which would generate an economic movement of between 30 and 40 million of suns However, he points out that the reservations in the lodgings ended due to the fact that between December 2022 and January of this year close to 80% of hotels have been closed due to social conflicts. In addition, he adds that “occupancy is zero” in these establishments until February 18.

Carnival and hope in Ancash

In the Ancash region, where the Huaracino carnival is celebrated next month, the scenario is not entirely promising. The protests have had an impact on the confidence of visitors and no reservations have yet been registered in the lodgings, says John Ticona, president of Ahora Áncash. “We don’t have reservations, but we have seen that after the pandemic a factor that is very present is last-minute reservations,” he says.

Taking into account this behavior of tourists and a possible solution to the country’s social crisis, Ticona foresees that the Huaracino carnival would gather between 5,000 and 10,000 visitors, which would generate income of up to S/1 million for activities related to the item.

In addition, he adds that the level of occupancy in the hotel sector is currently between 5% and 10%. This percentage, driven by last-minute reservations, would reach up to 70% during the festivities.

The North and Equator

In the north, where the protests have had little or no echo, the Tumbes region is preparing to receive tourists from Ecuador who decide to celebrate their long carnival holiday in our territory between February 20 and 21.

Carlos Viñas, president of the Tumbes Regional Chamber of Tourism, estimates that this year approximately 15,000 Ecuadorians will arrive in the country on these dates. In the opinion of the union representative, the influx would be greater if the Government, through Migration, expedited the entry of these travelers.

Regarding the economic benefit generated by visitors from the neighboring country, Viñas points out that “each family of five members spends an average of US$1,000 during their stay.”

Tourism lost S/25 million per day due to sociopolitical crisis

National tourism has lost around S/25 million per day between June 2022 and January 2023 due to the social and political crisis facing the country, according to Luis Helguero, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism.

According to the official, “what has affected the most is the issuance of alerts from foreign chancelleries not to travel to Peru due to the convulsion situation, because in some countries (citizens) even lose health insurance coverage if they come to Peru; furthermore, by itself (the protests) already scare a potential traveler,” he said.

He added that hotel cancellations reached 85% nationwide.

The word

José Manuel Rojas, Now Cajamarca

“We are calculating an average of between 35,000 and 40,000 the number of tourists that can reach the city of Cajamarca. In 2020, we had a record 20,000 (visitors).”