10:53 | Arequipa (Arequipa region), Aug. 2.
The
Colca Valley —one of the top tourist destinations in the Andean region of Arequipa— received 33,129 tourists in July 2022, a record figure following the tourism revival in this area (September 2021), which was severely affected by the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
July is the month when most domestic and foreign tourists visit the Colca Valley. This meets the needs of the sector, which continues to work on the area's tourism revival, said Judith Churapa, tourism representative at the
Autonomous Authority of Colca (Autocolca).
The specialist expressed satisfaction that the number of domestic tourists (13,744) had exceeded the number of foreign visitors (12,092) in July, adding that 7,293 students visited the area.
Regarding the Independence Day long holiday weekend (July 28-31), Churapa said the flow of tourists exceeded expectations. Some 5,000 visitors were expected to arrive during those days, but the figure was significantly higher.
"More than 8,000 tourists arrived during the long holiday weekend. Hotels and lodging options were at full capacity. In fact, many families had to spend the night in their cars because there was no room in hotels," she stated.
Autocolca expects 30,000 tourists in August, Arequipa's anniversary month —a lower figure compared to July— given that most visitors arrive in the "White City" to participate in various activities marking the 482nd anniversary of its Spanish foundation.
(END) RMC/MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 8/2/2022