Peru: Puno-Lake Titicaca receives Safe Travels Stamp, becomes safe for tourists

10:01 | Puno (Puno region), Jul. 8.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) has handed over the Safe Travels Stamp —bestowed by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)— to the Puno-Lake Titicaca Destination.

Thus, this important area in southern Peru prepares to receive domestic and foreign visitors.

This recognition was handed over on Wednesday by Deputy Tourism Minister Lyda Garcia to Governor Agustin Luque, who was joined by authorities as well as local and community-based tourism entrepreneurs.

The Puno-Lake Titicaca Destination includes six tourist circuits (Puno City Tour, Lake Titicaca, Sillustani, Chucuito City Tour, Juli City Tour, Capachica), which together are home to 20 attractions.

According to Garcia, the Safe Travels stamp indicates that the destination has implemented the biosafety measures to combat COVID-19.

"The destination has been equipped with hand-washing areas, visitor signs, and signage of health and biosafety measures, among other things. All this will be monitored and audited to ensure the health of visitors and workers in the tourism sector," the government official said.

Criteria for granting the stamp

To obtain the Safe Travels Stamp, Puno's regional authorities had to submit a formal evaluation request to Mincetur.

Afterwards, working meetings were held and technical assistance was provided to prepare and implement surveillance measures at tourist sites, as well as biosafety measures against COVID-19.

In addition, tourist service providers had to undergo audits and checks, among other things.

Below are the tourist circuits that have been classified as safe for tourists at times of COVID-19:

Puno City Tour

Cathedral Basilica of Puno

Puno's Main Square

Pino Park

San Juan (St. John) Church - Virgin of Candelaria Sanctuary

Coca and Customs Museum

Carlos Dreyer Municipal Museum

Lake Titicaca

Titicaca National Reserve (Chimu Sector, Titino Sector)

Taquile Island