The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Juan Carlos Mathews, said that the Holy Week holiday (March 28 to 31) encourages a mobilization of 1.4 million visitors throughout Peru, with an approximate economic impact of US$195 million. It should be noted that among the main attractions of Peru are the Amazon River – one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. And Machu Picchu, which is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
Juan Carlos Mathews explained that, as estimated by the General Directorate of Research and Studies in Tourism and Crafts of Mincetur, the average expense per person during Holy Week reaches S/514, and is mainly allocated to transportation, food, accommodation services. and tourist activities.
Metropolitan Lima is emerging as the main center of travel flow at the national level, projecting 52.4% of the total, while a significant 47.6% would correspond to other regions of the country.
The main reasons for traveling are visiting family and friends (46.3%) and vacations, recreation and leisure (44.0%), with other reasons representing 9.7%.
Regarding destinations, the vast majority of travelers (97.2%) take a tourist trip outside their region, highlighting places such as Machu Picchu, the Amazon River, and cities such as Lima, Ica, Junín, Piura, Ayacucho and Arequipa , among others.
It is relevant to highlight that 73.4% of tourists have previously visited the chosen destination, while 26.6% explore a new place. Among the selection criteria, good weather (47.2%), tourist attractions (35.2%) and previous recommendations such as gastronomy (26.1%), among others, are mentioned.
Regarding the composition of the travel groups, it is estimated that 35.2% travel as a family, 30.4% as a couple, 17.5% travel alone and 16.9% accompanied by friends or family.
Travel options and organization
According to Mincetur, among the preferred options for staying during the Easter holiday are: family or friends’ houses (55.2%), 1 and 2-star hotels and hostels (24.8%), 3-star hotels (12 .7%), 4 to 5 star hotels (1.1%), among others.
Meanwhile, the average stay is estimated at 3 nights. The main means of transportation used is the interprovincial bus (56.6%), private mobility (own, friend or family member) with 21% and plane (16.8%), among others.
Regarding the organization of the trip, the majority choose to travel independently (90.7%), while 9.3% choose the tourist package option offered by travel agencies.