Peru: Amazon River granted hierarchy 4 status, top distinction in the world

The recognition was given by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur).

Mincetur head Edgar Vasquez presented the recognition to Loreto Region Governor Elisban Ochoa, during a ceremony aboard Rivers & Forest Expeditions cruise ship in the presence of local tourism authorities and entrepreneurs.

Vasquez affirmed that hierarchy 4 status turns Amazon River into a tourism resource of national importance and of great significance in the international travel market, capable of elevating the flow of visitors.

"With this designation, Mincetur will define strategies and prioritize actions to develop the tourism potential of Amazon River and its surroundings. This will be done as part of the implementation of the Strategic Regional Tourism Plan (Pertur) Loreto," he noted.

According to a classification designed by the World Tourism Organization (WTO), in order to be granted hierarchy 4 status, tourism resources have to possess particular features of a country, and be capable of attracting a (actual or potential) number of visitors from domestic and international markets, both by itself or along with other adjacent attractions. 

In this sense, Vasquez reported that tourist signposting projects would be carried out in the Iquitos Monumental Zone throughout this year.

In addition, the minister expects the validation of the project "Improvement of Tourism Services at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve," one of the most representative tourist attractions in the jungle region.

"Mincetur will invest more than S/12 million (around US$3.587 million) to improve the tourist infrastructure in the basin of Yanayacu-Pucate River, the most visited area by tourists in Pacaya Samiria. The work will kick off in 2021 as part of the National Copesco Plan," he said.

(END) NDP/MAO/RMB/MVB