It’s a common site on many people’s travel bucket lists. Peru is a beautiful country with a rich and unique history. It’s no surprise that people from all over the world want to spend some time exploring the nation. That appetite and demand is only growing. Tourism has become an increasingly important part of the country’s economy. Here are some of the reasons why Peru is such a hit with tourists and holidaymakers.
Cultural History and Tourism
The majority of tourists in Peru visit the country for its cultural history. Peru has a rich archaeological history. Civilisations such as the Incas, Nasca, and Moche left an indelible mark on the region. The famous site is, of course, Machu Pichu. The 15th-century Inca citadel attracts over a million visitors per year. The figure would certainly be much higher but for restrictions on numbers to protect the site.
This rich history isn’t just felt within Peru. The nation’s cultural influence extends across the world in numerous strange and surprising ways. Music is amongst the most common. Simon & Garfunkel’s song, ‘El Condor Pasa’ is based on an original Peruvian folk son. The history of the punk movement can be traced back to the nation. The Peruvian band, Los Saicos were playing the genre of music long before The Ramones or the Sex Pistols.
Peruvian myth and legend has also been spread across the world. El Dorado or the lost city of gold has been utilised in countless aspects of popular culture from songs to video games. The first Uncharted game, Drake’s Journey, was based on the search for the city. Playable on PlayStation, the popular game was published by Naughty Dog. The story of El Dorado has even been the subject of an online slot game, Gonzo’s Journey, which is playable on Betway Casino. The name is derived from the Spanish Conquistador, Gonzalo Pizarro, who journeyed to find El Dorado in the 16th century.
So, it’s no surprise that people today want to make their own journeys to the country. With such a rich cultural history, Peru’s influence is felt across the world.
Eco and Adventure Tourism
But many of Peru’s visitors visit the country for other reasons. 60% of the country’s landmass is based in the Amazon Basin. Rainforest accounts for almost three-quarters of Peru’s land area and much of it has been left untarnished by deforestation. The Lower Jungle of Peru is full of diverse plant and animal life.
These rainforests are a centre for eco-tourism. People travel from all over the world to explore and enjoy the area in an eco-friendly way. Manu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the single most biodiverse place on earth. It is home to over 15,000 plants, 200 species of mammals, and almost 10% of all the species of birds on the planet.
The geography of Peru is certainly unique. The rainforests, mountains, and a large coastal area make it a destination for adventure holidaymakers. The Choquequirao Trek is known the world over, as is the 2500-metre ascent above sea level to reach Machu Pichu. Peru is a hotspot for surfers and the city of Huaraz has a growing skiing industry.
Gastronomic Tourism
This is one of the newest entries on this list. Peru has become a gastronomic haven for food tourists. Visitors from across the globe flock to the nation each year to sample all sorts of local delicacies and delights. Global staples like potatoes and peppers were first cultivated in Peru so it’s no surprise that the nation has a flourishing food scene.
George Auguste Escoffier, the father of French cooking once claimed that Peruvian food was behind only French and Chinese cuisine. It’s an eclectic cuisine with influence from Asia, Europe, and West Africa. 64% of Peruvian people rank Creole as their preferred cuisine. Dishes such as ceviche are known across the world but there is a far greater variety in the country. The popular drinks of choice are chichi, a kind of fermented beer and a distilled grape drink called pisco.
But gastronomy may be more important to Peruvian tourism than many would imagine. According to a 2012 survey, a whopping 42% of tourists in Peru claimed that the country’s food was one of the main factors behind their decision to visit the country. Combined with the other factors, we have many reasons why Peru has become a tourist hotspot.