Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Community-based tourism in Cusco to be promoted at Spain’s Euroal 2010


Rural community-based tourism in Cusco will be one of the highlights at the Fifth Latin American and Europe Trade Show of Tourism, Art and Culture (Euroal 2010) to be held on June 3-5 in Spain.

Regional trade and tourism director Victor Hugo Perez said the presentation is part of Cusco's efforts to revive its tourism industry, affected by heavy rains and floods early this year.

"We are working hard to recover what we lost due to temporary closure of Machu Picchu, and our participation in Euroal will be a point in our favor," he told Andina.

The Latin America and Europe Trade Show of Tourism, Art and Culture (Euroal) will be held at the Trade Fairs and Congress Center of Torremolinos in Costa del Sol from June 3rd to June 5th 2010.

The event is expected to attract hundreds of travel agents, tour operators, tourism professionals and representatives of specialized companies. Community-based tourism aims at increasing local people's involvement in tourism, by emphasizing tours and cultural programs that are run by rural communities.

13:38 INC-Cusco promotes tourist circuit in Chinchero * Archaeological Park of Chinchero, Cusco. Photo: INC-Cusco. Archaeological

Peru’s National Institute of Culture (INC) of Cusco is developing a tourist circuit in the archaeological park of Chinchero aimed at boosting the existent cultural heritage in this place.

The circuit begins in Capellampampa pampa where a wall with 12 big vaulted niches can be observed and continues with a visit to the ruins of Pumaqaqa, Maranqaqa, Yanaqaqa, Condorqaqa, Kusilloqaqa, Chincanaqaqa and Teteqaqa.

This tour shows “andenes” made according to the land winding and proves Chinchero – Urquillos Inca road.

All the archaeological park is signposted with white and blue arrows allowing the visitor to make the right tour, said the head of the ruins Julio Maza.

The INC Cusco is carrying out cleaning works in Chinchero and some emergency works in the monumental area, and is expected to complete restoration projects in the Q’entepata area.

Maza added that the institution is strongly committed to continue protecting, maintaining and preserving Cusco archeological heritage.

Reopening Machu Picchu attracts British summer travelers

The ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, which reopened on April 1 to visitors after being closed since late January due to heavy rainfall and mudslides, has become an accessible and attractive option for British tourists on summer holidays this year.

According to Skyscanner, Machu Pichu is among top five tourist destinations worldwide that are welcoming back visitors after suffering from a fall in tourism due to various incidents, ranging from epidemics to natural disasters.

In January 2010, massive flooding in the mountains surrounding Machu Picchu trapped 4000 tourists and led to the closure of the ancient Inca site. Searches on Skyscanner for flights to Peru plummeted by 57% after the flooding.

Following two months of closure, the "Lost City of the Incas" is now welcoming visitors again and searches for Peru flights have since returned to their pre-flood levels.

Skyscanner, a flight search engine that allows users to browse for flights via price and location, reported that besides Machu Picchu, the other former disaster stricken destinations are Mexico, Sarajevo in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Greece and Kashmir.

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Odysseys Unlimited Adds Peru, Ecuador Packages


With the recent re-opening of the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu after this winter's mudslides, Peru's tourism is rebounding. Small group tour specialist Odysseys Unlimited is on hand with two Peruvian adventures: an 11-day "Treasures of Peru" with Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and Lake Titicaca; and a 15-day small group tour combining Peru with Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, "Machu Picchu to the Galapagos."

Travelers seeking to combine two South American treasures in one awesome small group tour need look no further than Odysseys Unlimited's 15-day "Machu Picchu to the Galapagos," priced from $5,795 air, land, and cruise inclusive and limited to no more than 20 guests. The itinerary begins in Lima then visits to Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, and an overnight stay at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located at the ruins, before flying to Ecuador for a four-day wildlife extravaganza. Guests enjoy a Galapagos cruise aboard the privately-chartered 20-passenger M/Y Coral II calling on Santa Cruz Island, Rabida and Santiago islands, Fernandina and Isabela islands, and Bartolome and Santa Cruz islands. Odysseys Unlimited is offering seven "Machu Picchu to the Galapagos" departures from August through November 2010.

The 11-day "Treasures of Peru" small group tour is an ideal introduction to Peru's archaeological, cultural and natural riches with visits to the Peruvian capital of Lima; Cuzco where Odysseys guests are welcomed for lunch in the homes of local families; the Sacred Valley, a region of Inca sites and indigenous villages; the Indian market of Pisac; two guided visits of the ruins at Machu Picchu; and a full-day tour of Lake Titicaca and the "floating islands:" Los Uros, home to the top-hatted Uros Indians; and Isla Taquile, home of the Taquilenos who produce high quality textiles. Priced from $2,895 air and land inclusive and limited to 12-24 guests, Odysseys Unlimited is offering nine scheduled "Treasures of Peru" from August through November 2010.

Odysseys Unlimited reassures each guest with fully refundable deposits up until 95 days before departure; and savings of $100 to $200 per trip for repeat guests.