08:40 | Cusco (Cusco region), Aug. 4.
In a ceremony held with the terraces of the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex illuminated,
Foreign Trade-Tourism Minister Desilu Leon, in the presence of
UN Tourism Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, granted this historic Inca town the Hierarchy 4 distinction —the highest recognition within the national tourism system— in acknowledgment of its outstanding archaeological, cultural, and heritage value.
Recognized as the only living Inca city on the continent, Ollantaytambo preserves traditional neighborhoods, ancestral infrastructure, and active cultural expressions.
Minister Leon presented the distinction to Ollantaytambo District Mayor Paull Palma and Cusco Region Governor Werner Salcedo, in a ceremony attended by Deputy Tourism Minister Aracelly Laca, along with mayors and authorities from Cusco.
Tourism ministers and deputy ministers from various countries were also present, as well as representatives from both the public and private sectors.
Hierarchy 4 status was granted following a technical evaluation based on eight key criteria: state of conservation, uniqueness, recognition, publications, tourist flow, facilities, representativeness, and inclusion in the visitor experience.
With this distinction,
Ollantaytambo joins a select group of 11 Hierarchy 4 tourist sites in Peru, including Machu Picchu, the Colca Valley, the Nasca Lines, the Amazon River, and the Sacred City of Caral.
Minister Desilu Leon emphasized that granting Hierarchy 4 status to Ollantaytambo is more than just a recognition: it is a commitment to sustainable tourism development, respect for heritage, and the improvement of residents' quality of life.
"We reaffirm our commitment to a form of tourism that creates jobs and makes Peru proud," she expressed.
"Ollantaytambo was one of the first towns recognized under the Best Tourism Villages program, which in its first edition received nearly 700 applications from around the world and selected only 48 winners," the UN official stated.
He added that this achievement is the result of the community’s efforts, and "now the world will know even more about you."
As part of this important ceremony, Minister Leon and the UN Tourism Secretary-General officially adopted the Ollantaytambo Declaration —a key document that sets out the roadmap for more digital, sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based tourism in the region.
This important document recognizes the significance of innovation and new technologies as tools to foster tourism development and improve destination management.
It was endorsed by the official delegations in attendance, including ministers and representatives from both the public and private sectors.
In this regard, the Ollantaytambo Declaration highlights Peru's leadership in tourism innovation, promoting economic development that directly benefits host populations, with a special focus on Indigenous and native communities.
The declaration also acknowledges the role of UN Tourism in strengthening capacities in areas such as planning, digital transformation, sustainability, and investment.
"We have presented the Ollantaytambo Declaration, a strategic document that will set the course toward more sustainable, inclusive, digital, and evidence-based tourism," Minister Leon stated.
"We thank UN Tourism for its support, and each participating country for contributing concrete actions that connect tourism with our communities and with the future," she added.
Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo, the head of Mincetur held a working meeting with Ollantaytambo District Mayor Paull Palma at the municipal headquarters.
Later, she toured the traditional neighborhood of Qosqo Ayllu. The visit also included a walk through the monumental area and Plaza de Artesanos (Artisans' Square).
(END) NDP/JCR/MVB
Publicado: 4/8/2025