The Peruvian Government seeks to boost new tourism segments as part of efforts to contribute to economic development and double tourist inflow by 2021, the Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry affirmed.
"We want to develop cruise and corporate [events] tourism in Peru," Minister Eduardo Ferreyros told El Peruano official gazette.
In 2016, the Inca nation welcomed 36 cruise ships. If Peru is to promote this tourism-market segment, it needs a special port terminal for this kind of vessels.
Thus, the government currently studies projects and private initiatives to build such a port.
In this sense, Ferreyros referred to a meeting he had with Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). Said trade organization sees the Andean nation's potential for higher cruise influx and is thus interested in supporting the initiative.
Exhibition center
On the other hand, the Tourism head highlighted the role of Lima Convention Center —one of Peru's main APEC venues in 2016— to boost corporate tourism.
In addition, the country now assesses the possibility of building an exhibition center to host major international exhibitions.
"This exhibition center could be realized through a Public-Private Partnership. That is, the State deals with the construction, and private bodies operate it," he proposed.
Likewise, the government official affirmed conversations with German giant Lufthansa will continue, so the airline reinstates flights to Peru. These talks fall under Deputy Tourism Minister Rogers Valencia.
Lastly, the Minister addressed Peru's goal to double tourist arrivals to 7 million by the Independence Bicentennial in 2021.
To this end, the country "needs to grow 13% a year [in this economic activity]. Thus, we are promoting infrastructure [construction] and better connectivity."
In this sense, Ferreyros underlined the upcoming construction of Jorge Chavez International Airport's second runway and Cusco-based Chinchero Airport.
"I think we are on our way to guarantee sustainable tourism with good infrastructure for the next 50 years," he concluded.
(END) DOP/RES/DHT/MVB