Peru's Main Tourist Attractions Break Their Own Record With 6 World Travel Awards 2026

The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, through Mr. Roger Valencia, announced that these results recognize the country's food, culture, nature, and contribution to sustainable tourism worldwide. Furthermore, Machu Picchu received the sixth award as the region's leading tourist attraction.

For future travelers looking for Peru's main tourist attractions, the announcement offers a broader picture of what a visit can include. Alongside its archaeological sites, Peru has been recognized for experiences that connect visitors with regional cooking, living traditions, and the country's varied landscapes.

The six World Travel Awards won by Peru in 2026

The official winners list confirms five awards for Peru as a country and one for Machu Picchu:

These are regional titles from the South American competition. The World Travel Awards hold a separate competition for its worldwide titles.

But rest assured, Peru also continues a run of success in the overall destination category, having won South America's Leading Destination every year from 2023 through 2026.

South America's Leading Culinary Destination 2026

Peru's regional cuisines, historical heritage, and living traditions all form part of the tourism offer highlighted by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism. For visitors, these Peru attractions can be part of the same journey, with meals and cultural experiences given time alongside sightseeing.

South America's Leading Cultural Destination 2026

For travelers choosing between the main attractions in Perú, the range of awards suggests a useful approach to planning: start with the experience that interests you most. That might be archaeology, food, or time outdoors. Then leave room for another side of the country. As you can see, Peru is a world of possibilities.

South America's Leading Nature Destination 2026

Nature is a notable addition to this year's results. Peru won South America's Leading Nature Destination for the first time in the category's published award history. The recognition adds attention to a country whose landscapes extend from the Pacific coast through the Andes to the Amazon rainforest.

South America's Leading Contributor to Sustainable Tourism 2026

Peru's award for its contribution to sustainable tourism also benefits local communities. The joint effort undertaken by Peruvian tour operators to reduce their carbon footprint and work hand-in-hand with the local communities where they operate, offering them development opportunities, is now being recognized. In this way, when visiting Peru through a local tour operator, you can be sure of preserving natural, cultural, and intangible heritage along the way.

South America's Leading Tourist Attraction 2026

Among the region and Peru's main tourist attractions, Machu Picchu has now held the title of South America's Leading Tourist Attraction for nine consecutive years, from 2018 to 2026. The official award history confirms that uninterrupted run, adding another chapter to the site's international recognition.

Why are the World Travel Awards called the Oscars of Tourism?

The World Travel Awards began in 1993 to recognize achievement across travel, tourism, and hospitality. Their international reach, established history, and high-profile ceremonies have made them widely known within the industry.

The nickname "Oscars of Tourism" compares their standing in travel with the prestige of the Academy Awards in cinema.

Winners are selected through voting that includes both the public and travel industry professionals.

So now you know: if you are comparing Peru tourist spots for a future trip, the six awards offer a starting point for deciding what you would like to experience. The most useful takeaway from the 2026 results is the variety of reasons to visit, and the chance to build a trip around the ones that matter to you.