Throughout August, the world is eagerly tuning in to Rio to watch their favourite athletes compete for gold at the summer Olympic Games.
Some of us have even managed to make way to the great South American continent to experience Olympic mania firsthand.
Sitting in the limelight of the Olympics, South America is now ever-present in the minds of consumers as a travel destination.
With solid investments in tourism development and better than ever tourism infrastructure, inbound tourism flows to the continent are expected to soar with a rise in both number of trips taken and average trip expenditure.
But where exactly should you send your post-Olympics, South American enthused clients? Here we highlight 5 reasons they should be making the Olympic leap to Peru…
1. One country, three worlds
Countryside of Ayabaca. Image Credit: Marcela Delgado, PROMPERU
South America is enormous! Consisting a territory of over 17 million square kilometres, the continent spans from the steamy jungle of the Darien Gap in the north to the icy rugged terrains of Tierra del Fuego in the south.
Just for some perspective – the entire European continent could fit inside South America almost twice! Travelling around the continent takes considerable time, money and consideration.
Therefore, for visitors wishing to sample a variety of signature Latin American terrains and attractions while keeping time spent in transit and transport costs down, Peru is the answer! 60 per cent of Peru consists of Amazonian jungle, with easy access points to jungle cruises and safaris in both the country’s north and south.
28 per cent of Peru is highlands, with the Andes mountain range offering stunning scenery and unique mountain folklore.
The remaining 12 per cent of Peru is coast, which stretches over 2,000 kilometres along the Western front and consists mostly of desert landscapes.
Your clients can gaze out to the Pacific Ocean from Peru’s coastline, explore the natural wonders of the Peruvian Amazon and marvel the beauty of the Andes within a week’s time and taking only 2 domestic 1-hour flights.
That’s about as good as it gets for convenience in South America!
2. Discover the World’s Heritage
Machu Picchu. Photo Credit: PROMPERU Gihan Tubbeh
Travellers throughout the world inscribe their bucket lists with Must-See World Heritage attractions and they travel far and wide to see them in the flesh.
The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO must have had a field day when considering the natural and cultural treasures of Peru.
The country’s pre and post-Columbian cultural blend has left locals with national legacy of 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the World Wonder and renowned ruins of Machu Picchu.
Other jaw-dropping World Heritage Sites attracting visitors from across the globe include the City of Cusco, Qhaqpaq Ñan (the complex road system built and unified by the Incas), the Chan Chan Archaeological Area and the Nasca Lines.
3 World-class cuisine
Ceviche. Image Credit: PromPeru Gihan Tubbeh
Having recently won the ‘Leading Culinary Destination’ from the World Travel Awards for the fourth consecutive year, the ‘Cultural Heritage of the Americas for the World’ from the Organisation of American States, as well as hosting 3 of the world’s top 50 restaurants, Peru’s hallmark in the world’s spheres of gastronomy is nothing short of exceptional.
Renowned for fusing the flavours and style of various cultures such as the Spanish, Japanese and Africans, Peruvian cuisine is also renowned for its indigenous influences and ingredients.
With a plethora of restaurants, tasting tours and gastronomic festivals, your clients can be rest assured their tastebuds will be tickled in Peru.
4. Living culture
Inti Raymi – Festival of the Sun. Photo Credit: PromPeru, Gihan Tubbeh
Peru is an explosion of colour, celebration and tradition begging to be explored! Your clients will experience firsthand Peru’s diverse mix of traditions, celebrations and art through the numerous festivals, rituals and ways of life that remain from pre-Columbian times.
Weaving villages of the Sacred Valley spin, dye and weave their yarn using age-old techniques, reed water-crafts are used as a work tool for riding waves for local fishermen and offerings to Pachamama are made during Andean rituals paying homage to Mother Earth and mountain spirits, are all great examples highlighting the living culture of Peru today.
5. Adventure
AREQUIPA, Colca , Canotaje, Pareja. Image Credit PromPeru
Blessed with natural beauty and geography ripe for adventure, Peru offers a variety of adventure sports and activities for the young and the young at heart.
From exploring the lush jungle of the Amazonas, to surfing the perfectly formed waves of Chicama or scaling the mountain peaks of the Huascarán National Park, the versatility of Peru’s geography invites adventure into the intrepid traveller’s itinerary.
