Peru’s Luxury Tourism to Grow in 2011 Driven by New Investments and Increased Airline Routes

Peru is experiencing a growth in luxury tourism with new hotels, ecological resorts and gourmet restaurants opening in 2011 in key tourist locations. These investments are being driven by an increase in demand for luxury travel in the country, and new airline routes opening. 2011 will also be a bumper year for the country, which will be celebrating the centenary of the Rediscovery of Machu Picchu by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham in July.

Promperu’s coordinator for Asia Pacific Rosana Guinea says that, although adventurous travellers are key to their market, there has been an increase in higher yield travellers in recent years and both markets are being buoyed by increased air capacity.

“Both the range and quality of the services provided within the tourism industry in Peru have improved dramatically in recent years. Tourists are spending more money whilst in Peru and the visitor profile is changing which is driving the demand for more luxury accommodation and facilities,” states Rosana Guinea.

At the same time, Lima is becoming more accessible with increased flight connections from around the world allowing more visitors to enter the country. Looking to capitalise on this increased capacity and demand for luxury, Peru is welcoming investments from international and domestic companies wishing to expand and open new restaurants and hotels.

From January 2011, travellers from Australia to Peru will have faster and easier journeys with LAN Airlines introducing new nonstop flights from Santiago de Chile to Peru’s capital Lima. Other new code-share arrangements with airlines such as Cathay Pacific are also including Lima in their network, further enhancing connections.

Peru is the second most attractive country for foreign investment in the region for major South American companies, according to a survey on business climate conducted in August 2010 by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Recent hotel investments include major international brands such as Westin which is opening the Westin Lima in 2011. This first Westin in Peru will be a very modern hotel and the tallest building in Lima with a spa, convention space and luxurious suites.

Cusco and its surrounding region is also seeing an increased investment in the luxury sector and 2011 sees the opening of with a new Aranwa Hotel, a JV Marriot Hotel, and the expansion of the Orient Express owned Monasterio Hotel.

The last five years has already seen a dramatic rise in boutique and luxury hotels around Cusco due with new openings including the Hotel Casa Cartagena, the Andean Wings, the Rio Sagrado in Urubamba, Aranwa in Urubamba, the new Luxury Collection Tambo del Inka Hotel from Libertador Hotels, and seven new hotels in the Casa Andina group.

The ‘eco market’ is another key area for investment with resorts such as the San Agustin Paracas opening by 2012 on the south coast. This new resort, located 300 Km south of Lima and close to the World Heritage Listed Nazca Lines, will be one of the most modern ecological resorts and multifunctional hotels in the country. The project includes 120 rooms in two buildings and will be powered by solar energy.

2011 is not only seeing an evolving business sector but also celebrations for the centenary of the rediscovering of Machu Picchu in July. It will include the exciting return of thousands of Inca Artifacts excavated by Hiram Bingham and taken to Yale University and kept there for the last 100 years. These unique artifacts will be housed in Cusco at a dedicated museum and research centre.

For more information on Peru, please visit www.peru.info