If you’re not a Peru specialist yet then you may want to consider becoming one, because according to recent figures Australians prefer to book their Peruvian getaway through a travel agent.
Speaking to KarryOn last week, PromPeru’s Jennifer Pizarro said of the 41,842 Australians that visited Peru last year, 81 percent booked through a travel agent.
That’s around 33,892 people that used a consultant for that destination alone.
Pizarro, the Market Specialist for Australia and Russia, said while in the US people are relying on the Internet, Aussies are seeing the value behind consultants.
Image: Visit Peru/Facebook
“Australians feel more confident booking through a travel agent.”
Jennifer Pizarro, PromPeru Market Specialist for Australia and Russia
“They know that agents aren’t just doing their research online, they have knowledge from us and they’re experts on the destination.
“They prefer to work with specialists and have that feeling of security when travelling to Peru.”
The good news doesn’t end there because not only do Aussies want to book through an agent, the number of Australians planning a vacation to Peru continues to rise so there’s more bookings and commission on the horizon.
Image: Visit Peru/Facebook
The latest market update showed a 15 percent increase in Australians booking a holiday to Peru last year compared to 2013. The average spend is sitting at around $2,500 these days.
Australians spend an average of 14 days in the country and around 31 percent that travel to South America are only going to see Peru.
Pizarro explained that interest is expected to growth in the coming years as with more Australians keen explore the country’s diversity.
“They’re starting to realise that we are more than just Cusco and Machu Picchu, we also have desserts, snow, jungles and highlands.”
Jennifer Pizarro, PromPeru Market Specialist for Australia and Russia
She added that over the next few months interest should start to grow for a new destination in Peru called the Moche Route.
Moche Route highlights the Moche culture – a pre-Incan society that was eventually invaded by the Incans.
Image: Visit Peru/Facebook
The Route starts in the city of Trujillo and runs through major archaeological sites such as Chán-Chán – a city created by the Chimú civilisation between 900AD – 1400AD.
Also new in 2015/16 are three new properties – the three-star Esplendor Hotel in Cusco City; the luxurious Hacienda Urrubamba in Sacred Valley; and Amantica Lodge in Lake Titicaca.
Click here for images from PromPeru’s media dinner.