Travel at the end of the year will increase by more than 20%

The year ends with green figures for tourism. Travel expectations for the celebrations at the beginning of 2024 would exceed by more than 20% what was achieved at the end of 2022, according to tourism unions.

In comparison with the panorama of last year – which was marked by the social and political conflict that the country experienced since December 7, in which various demonstrations and road strikes against the Government of Dina Boluarte—, for this December 31, the flow of tourists would increase in a more stable scenario.

“Currently we have a little more stability and an improvement in travel is anticipated. Last year we had quite a few postponements and cancellations of packages of up to 80% at the national level on these dates,” Carlos Loayza, general manager of the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur), told La República.

In that sense, he reiterated that, unlike Christmas, which is more familiar and the meetings are mostly in the same homes, the plans to receive January 1 are more dynamic, and generate higher rates of tourism, which is translates into an increase in requests for accommodation and restaurants.

For its part, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru (Mincetur) expects that the holidays of these two weeks will attract 1.3 million tourists, which will generate close to US$200 million in income.

Demanded destinations

Among the most requested destinations are the San Martín region, Cusco, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Trujillo, Cajamarca and the northern beaches, from Tumbes to Piura.

Likewise, also places near Lima are in demandwhose emitters are 43%, especially the small south and north, which include IcaHuacho, Barranca, Huaral, Huancayo, Lunahuaná and surrounding areas.

In the case of Paracas, as Eduardo Jáuregui, president of the Chamber of Tourism and Foreign Trade of said city (Capatur), informed this medium, it is expected to welcome 70,000 people—90% from the Capital—which implies the double what was achieved on the same dates last year. In addition, it has been reported that reservations reach up to 70% of the accommodations in the area.

Average rates

It is projected that the average daily expense for tickets, stays, food and other recreational activities will exceed S/450 per person, said Fredy Gamarra, general manager of the Association of HotelsRestaurants and Related (Now Peru).

“There are several places that already have reservations, but it is still a bit slow, since the tendency of citizens is to decide in the short term; Before, reservations were made further in advance,” Gamarra said.

From Mincetur estimates, The approximate investment per tourist will be S/573and the average stay would reach five nights.

Likewise, they specify that more than 40% of the trips will be made for recreational reasons, mainly looking for a place with good weather.

It should be noted that, according to Canatur, transfers, especially land transfers, will have an increase of between 25% and 40% due to the greater demand for these days.

Expectations and main activities for 2024

For next year, projections also remain positive for external and internal tourism. According to Canatur and Ahora Perú, the expectation is to recover pre-pandemic levels and have around 4 million tourists.

For the first months of 2024, the first event is the Iquitos anniversary (January 2), which increases the forecasts for the Amazon. Also on the 20th the Mantaro Valley festival will take place in Jauja. Likewise, January 18 is the anniversary of Lima, which also brings with it several activities in the capital.

For the fortnight of February the celebrations for the Virgin of Candelaria in Puno and the Cajamarca Carnival.

The word

Fredy Gamarra, general manager of Ahora Perú

“Although we are in a recession process, we expect more than 20% movement than in 2022 and that people travel to welcome 2024, which is an important bicentennial year.”