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Peru has received US $9.15 billion from foreign tourists in four years

By Isabel Guerra

(09/29/2010)During the last four years, Peru has received some US $9.15 billion in foreign tourists expenditures, says Eduardo Ferreyros, Minister of Trade and Tourism.

The Minister remarked that despite the international financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, Peru received 2.14 million visitors in 2010, which represents a 4% increase compared to 2008.

This also means an increase of US $2.47 billion in foreign exchange, 2.2% more than in the previous year.

Therefore, Minister Ferreyros encouraged business people in Peru to invest in turning tourism into a tool for the economic, social and environmental development of the country.

According to official figures, this year Peru expects to receive 2.25 million of foreign tourists, which would mean an increase of 5% compared to last year.

However, Publio Santander, President of the Peruvian Association of Travel Agencies, Apavit, estimates that in fact these arrivals will drop between 10% and 15%, due to the European economical crisis and the closure of Machu Picchu during the first months of 2010 after the floods in Cusco.

According to official data, 48% of foreign tourists engage in activities related to nature.