Peru's tourist sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of 6% over the next ten years, benefiting the country's economy and generating more direct and indirect jobs, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) stated.
In an interview with Andina News Agency, the President & CEO of the WTTC, David Scowsill noted the Andean country's tourism sector moves more than US$ 19,6 billion and generates over 1.2 million direct and indirect jobs.
"Peru is growing very fast now at the same kind of rate as other countries in Latin America such Brazil and Colombia, whose tourism industry expand at an annual average rate of 6%, above the world's average of 4.3%", Scowsill said.
According to WTTC's president, there are three reasons that explain this good performance. The most important reason is that Ollanta Humala's administration is very focused on increasing the travel and tourism industry in the country "because is a key generator of jobs and GDP growth".
The second reason is that the Pacific Alliance, which comprises Peru, Mexico, Colombia and Chile, is carrying out an important task to promote the tourism industry at the bloc's level.
"These four countries will work together on open sky policies, visa facilitation, investments through public-private partnership (PPP) in specific areas such as airports, restaurants and hotels", he said.
Likewise, Scowsill said that the third reason is that Peru is a country that is marketing now very effectively thanks to the work carried out by the Export and tourism promotion board (PromPeru).
"There is more in Peru than just Cusco or Machu Picchu. There are so many areas of the country with culture, architecture, archeology, cuisine, restaurants, so the country is being promoted more broadly now to many interested potential tourist people", he added.
Scowsill went on to note that it is necessary to increase investments in the tourism sector, specifically in the hotel industry." As tourist arrivals grow, more hotels of different categories are required".
According to the latest WTTC research, Travel & Tourism accounts for 9% of Peru’s economy, generating one million jobs or one in 12 of all jobs in the country.
Travel & Tourism GDP is larger than that of the education, banking, communication services, higher education, chemicals manufacturing, and automotive manufacturing sectors. In terms of its direct GDP, Travel & Tourism is nearly the same size as that of the education and banking sectors.
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Published: 6/24/2014