Both inbound and domestic tourism have been on the rise during 2023. The sector has managed to increase its figures compared to the last two years, and it is expecting growth for 2024.
The Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry in Peru presented the 2023 Peruvian Tourism closing numbers and expectations for 2024. First, it highlights the increase in inbound tourism and domestic tourism compared to the two years after the pandemic.
Closing numbers for 2023
First of all, inbound tourism, which refers to foreign travelers arriving in Peru, has grown by 25% compared to 2022. However, this number is still low compared to pre-pandemic levels. Indeed, 2019 was a year in which tourism closed with 4 million foreign visitors. In contrast, 2023 closed with 2.5 million.
On the other hand, domestic tourism, which corresponds to Peruvian travelers inside the country, has increased considerably. Last year closed with 35 million domestic trips, which is still a short distance compared to the 48 million in 2019.
According to the dates published by the Migration Superintendence in Peru, in 2023, July was the month with the highest number of tourists, receiving more than 263,000. On the other hand, January was the month that received fewer tourists due to the social situation of the country last January.
The visitors’ number to Machu Picchu in 2023 was 950,000, which is still half of the expectations.
The highest amount of travelers to Peru came from South America. Chile, Ecuador, and Colombia were the leading countries. The United States was the country with the most travelers.
Expectations for 2024
The visitors’ number in 2023 has remained at a similar level from the middle to the last quarter of the year. The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Juan Carlos Matthews, predicts that the pre-pandemic figures may recover soon.
First of all, the tourism industry is expecting to have an increase in the number of visitors compared to 2023. Due to the analysis of the figures presented, the sector predicts that inbound and domestic tourism will reach the desired figures by the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.
Likewise, some points that the Ministry will reinforce are the promotion of community tourism and gastronomic tourism. Likewise, the Culture Ministry of Cusco has announced new strategies to increase the number of visitors by 2024, such as implementing the citadel visits circuits and raising the daily ticket spots.
Sources: Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry in Peru and T News
Published on January 17, 2024