El Jefe del Estado, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, inauguró hoy el primer sistema de telecabinas del Perú, para el transporte rápido, seguro y a bajo costo de turistas hacia la fortaleza de Kuélap, en la región Amazonas. Foto: ANDINA/ Prensa Presidencia
13:48 | Chachapoyas (Amazonas region), Mar. 2.
Visits to Kuelap Fortress will see a sharp rise to at least 75,000 tourists this year, thanks to the recently opened cable-car service, Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Eduardo Ferreyros affirmed.
Speaking from Amazonas region, where President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski arrived to take part in the opening, Ferreyros affirmed intervention in this archaeological site is multi-sectoral, as the objective is to boost tourism industry and turn it into an engine of development.
"We have a high-tech infrastructure, and this will bolster the number of tourists; around 56,000 tourists were welcomed last year, and the figure expected for this year, without the cable-car service, was 75,000, but I think it will be way higher," he was quoted as saying.
Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry's head assured they will continue to deliver other tourism-related projects in Chachapoyas province, where Kuelap is located.
According to Ferreyros, Kuelap will become the most important destination in the northeastern part of Peru.
Also, he said they will work on the region's airport and announced the launch of an airline operating 50-seat airplanes, making it easier for tourists to explore Amazonas attractions.
"We have to promote hotel and restaurant investments; it [the cable-car system] is a great change; it marks a before and after in the history of Chachapoyas and Amazonas," he indicated.
Kuelap is considered one of Peru's most significant archaeological sites. It was built by the Chachapoyas and dates back to 500-1450 AD. The fortress is located at the summit of a hill and surrounded by up to 20-meter-high walls.
The cable-car system can transport up to 1,000 people per day, with a transfer time of 20 minutes and a total elevation gain of 670 meters. The round-trip ticket costs around S/20.00 (around US$6.12).
(END) JCR/RMB/MVB
Published: 3/2/2017