Peru is home to some of the world’s most unique and protected landmarks and landscapes and in a bid to preserve this pristine natural
environment and promote sustainable travel, PROMPERÚ (the official tourism board of Peru) is urging travellers to consider its eco-friendly destinations, operators and experiences on their travels.
With 17.5% of Peru declared a natural protected area and with the country boasting 76 Natural Protected Areas, 21 Regional Conservation Areas, and 134 Private Conservation Areas, it offers a host of destinations, communities, and adventures to explore with the confidence of an ethical and environmental footprint.
From the Andes to the Amazon, there are sustainable tourism attractions and experiences throughout the country, with many globally accredited and recognised green certification awards by internationally recognised green organisations and bodies.
Machupicchu, for example, became the first carbon-neutral wonder of the world in 2021. In the Arequipa region, the popular Colca Valley and the impressive Volcanoes Valley, each hold the Green Destinations Silver Award, which recognises their commitment to the environment and sustainable tourism, along with promoting the conservation and development of their attractions. The Green Destinations & Quality Coast Awards international certification is the ultimate level of global recognition for destination quality and sustainable destination management.
A further four destinations in Peru also received awards in the 2022 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories, which recognises destinations for their inspirational green initiatives. They include the Tingo Maria National Park, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the Colca Canyon, and Gocta – Kuelap, making Peru the only country with four destinations with this award. These natural wonders feature a diverse and rich array of flora and fauna, deep canyons, and awe-inspiring waterfalls set amongst historic and ancient civilisations.
Peru’s Tingo Maria National Park in Huanuco was also acknowledged amongst the Green Destination Story Awards in the “Thriving Communities” category at ITB Berlin 2023 for the destination’s outstanding commitment to conserving its biodiversity and ecosystem services for the benefit of the population. Located in the High Jungle of the Peruvian Yunga region, Tingo Maria is one of the oldest protected natural areas in Peru and features abundant flora and fauna, waterfalls, and wildlife including 364 species of birds, 320 species of butterflies, otters, jaguars, parrots, capybaras, and many other species, and is popular for remote adventure and hiking. The national park recently started working with local communities on conservation efforts to protect its natural resources and generate income and improve the quality of life for locals in a sustainable way, mitigating the negative impact on the environment. These efforts include developing protocols for raising and extracting melipona bees for the production of honey and pollen with medicinal properties and their sale in local eco-stores as well as using local crops such as coffee, cacao, banana, passion fruit, camu camu, lemon for the production of artisanal ice cream, linking agricultural products to the tourism sector.
On the food front, jungle-to-table cuisine, a new food movement in the Amazon, sees local and talented chefs adapt ingredients from the rainforest while honouring the traditional recipes and cooking methods of the indigenous population. Restaurants featuring Amazon cuisine in Lima include Mayta, La Mishkina, Mar y Selva, El Bijao, and La Patarashkita (Miraflores). The focus is on sourcing ingredients from indigenous communities and promoting sustainable practices like reforestation, gathering, and sustainable fish farming.
Conservation projects run by the Peruvian government with local communities have also worked to ensure the survival of endangered species once at risk of illegal poaching. This includes the building of artificial beaches so the endangered Taricaya turtle could lay their eggs during the breeding season, which has since restored the turtle population and established a tourism program for the community. Travellers can witness the conservation of the turtles without endangering them and stimulating the local economy.
Furthermore, PROMPERÚ proudly supports the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). By joining WTTC’s “Guardians of Nature” initiative, Peru has committed its role in climate change mitigation and in safeguarding the environment.
