08:45 | Arequipa (Arequipa region), Feb. 2.
The flow of tourists at
Colca Valley —a tourist destination located in Peru's southern region of Arequipa— is going through a difficult situation due to the blockage of roads.
Until last week, only 4,380 domestic and foreign visitors arrived in the area —a decrease compared to the same period last year.
Autonomous Authority of Colca (Autocolca) Manager Wilder Mamani affirmed that social protests in Arequipa region have affected tourism in the area, where the hotel, restaurant, craft, and related sectors have been seriously impacted by the
significant reduction of visitors.
The official detailed that, only in January, 448 foreign tourists, 277 Latin American visitors, 1,970 fellow citizens, and 1,649 students visited the impressive Colca Valley.
Moreover, Mamani affirmed that the situation at Colca is worrisome for the tourism sector due to the low flow of visitors in recent weeks —a situation that is expected to improve in the following days.
In recent days, following the unblocking of Añashuayco Bridge in the province of Arequipa, which had remained blocked, between four and five minivans have started to arrive on a daily basis —a small figure compared to regular situations.
After the unblocking of the road,
about 60 tourists arrive at Colca Valley every day —a low figure compared to more than 500 visitors that usually come to
Arequipa's main tourist destination.
In addition, Mamani remarked that the sector expects that social unrest in Peru will come to an end and activities will return to normal so as to start receiving domestic and foreign tourists, who are usually sensitive to the events that are currently taking place in the country.
(END) RMC/MAO/RMB/MVB
Publicado: 2/2/2023