presented the Profile of Foreign Tourists Visiting Lima's Historic Center (2024).
The study was conducted with the purpose of providing key information to various stakeholders in the sector, helping them better understand tourists and enhance their commercial strategies, taking into account changes in travel habits worldwide.
According to the results, more than 1.1 million international tourists entering Peru through Jorge Chavez International Airport visited Lima's Historic Center last year.
On average, these visitors stayed nine nights in Peru one night longer than for international tourists in general.
They also spent more: those who visited the heart of the capital recorded an average expenditure of US$1,572, which means US$155 more than the average tourist.
These travelers focused their itinerary on iconic and easily accessible sites, showing particular interest in free or highly visible attractions within the urban circuit; therefore, 78% visited the Plaza Mayor (Main Square) and 54% visited the Lima Cathedral.
The main reasons for traveling were vacations or leisure (74%), followed by visits to family and/or friends (12%) and business (9%).
Among the attractions with high growth potential are the San Francisco Convent and Catacombs Museum (11%), Chinatown (5%), and the Lima Art Museum – MALI (2%), sites of great historical and cultural value that could become new tourist hotspots.
Regarding travel inspiration and planning, 57% of tourists relied on personal recommendations, whereas 47% stated that short videos on social media influenced their decisions.
Instagram was the platform with the greatest impact. Indeed, 65% of respondents indicated they had seen advertising about Peru on it.
Fifty-eight percent planned their trip between one and four months in advance, 44% purchased a tour package, and 94% made some online purchase related to their visit.
Likewise, 86% focused exclusively on domestic destinations, without including other countries in the region.
Regarding travel companions, 38% arrived in Peru alone, 30% traveled with friends or family without children, and 22% traveled with their partner.
Their favorite activities included walking around the city (100%), visiting parks and small squares (92%), churches (64%), and historical sites (51%). Additionally , 44% enjoyed local markets and small ones.