Peru’s awards at a glance
Peru has been one of the most visible winners of the World Travel Awards for years. The country is particularly strong in the categories of culture, culinary arts, and tourist attractions.
In 2023, Peru was recognized globally as the World's Leading Cultural Destination and the World's Leading Culinary Destination. These successes have been confirmed in subsequent years: in the history of the World Travel Awards, Peru is also listed as the winner in both categories for 2024 and 2025.
Additionally, Machu Picchu was named the World's Leading Tourist Attraction in 2024 and 2025. Lima also received international recognition as a Heritage City Destination.
Why Peru’s cuisine is so strong internationally
Peruvian cuisine combines the coast, the Andes, and the Amazon. Ceviche, Ají de Gallina, Lomo Saltado, Anticuchos, a variety of potatoes, corn, quinoa, chili, and regional fish dishes demonstrate the breadth of the country's culinary culture.
Peru doesn’t win just because of individual dishes. The deciding factor is the blend of history, regional products, migratory influences, and a vibrant restaurant and everyday food scene.
In particular, Peruvian culture and food are closely intertwined. Markets, home kitchens, and street stalls often tell just as much about Peru as well-known restaurants do.
Cultural destination Peru: more than just a single place
Machu Picchu is Peru’s most famous symbol. However, the country’s cultural strength extends much further: Cusco, Lima, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, the Sacred Valley, colonial cities, archaeological sites, and lively festivals shape the picture.
The World Travel Awards recognize this breadth. Peru is not just a country with one famous ruin; it is a destination with many layers, languages, landscapes, and traditions.
It is precisely this diversity that makes Peru interesting for cultural travelers. You don’t just travel from one attraction to another, but through very different spaces and eras.
Sights in Peru
All sightsYou can find more information under "All sights".
What are the World Travel Awards?
The World Travel Awards are an international award program for the travel and tourism industry. They are frequently perceived as an important reference point for destinations, hotels, airlines, attractions, and tourist providers.
The awards are determined by voting and industry perception. They are not a scientific ranking, but they have a significant communicative impact.
For countries like Peru, such awards are important because they generate international attention. They strengthen the image as a travel destination and help to make culture, cuisine, and nature more visible worldwide.
2023: Double global award
In 2023, Peru won two particularly important categories in the global edition of the World Travel Awards: World's Leading Cultural Destination and World's Leading Culinary Destination.
In doing so, Peru confirmed two of its strongest tourism arguments. The cultural side ranges from Inca history to vibrant festivals and regional traditions. The culinary side combines traditional ingredients with globally respected gastronomy.
This combination is powerful because many travelers today are no longer just looking for sights. They are looking for stories, food, encounters, and a sense of place.
Update: Peru remains strong in 2025
The 2023 awards were not a one-off. In the history of the World Travel Awards, Peru is also listed as World's Leading Cultural Destination and World's Leading Culinary Destination for 2024 and 2025.
Machu Picchu was also awarded World's Leading Tourist Attraction in 2024 and 2025. Lima won the category of World's Leading Heritage City Destination in 2025.
The more recent awards show that Peru’s international visibility remains high, and not just because of past glory. The country continues to hold its position in culture, cuisine, and tourism.
Latest news from Peru
All newsYou can find more information under "All news".
Does an award really benefit Peru?
A tourism award alone does not bring better roads, better ticketing systems, or perfect travel planning. But it can focus attention. That is exactly where the value lies.
When Peru is awarded as a cultural and culinary destination, it strengthens perception among travelers, tour operators, media, and investors. It helps to see Peru not just as the "land of Machu Picchu," but as a multifaceted destination.
At the same time, responsibility is created. Those who are awarded internationally must take quality, sustainability, visitor management, and the protection of cultural sites seriously.
Culture: Why Peru is convincing
Peru possesses extraordinary historical depth. Long before the Incas, significant cultures such as the Chavín, Moche, Nazca, Wari, and Chimú emerged. The Incas later built one of the most well-known empires in South America.
After the Spanish colonial period, new cultural hybrid forms emerged. Churches, cities, language, music, festivals, and cuisine combine indigenous, European, African, and Asian influences.
For travelers, this is palpable. Cusco feels different than Lima, Arequipa different than Puno, the coast different than the Andes or the Amazon.
Culinary arts: Peru tastes regional
Peruvian cuisine thrives on its regions. On the coast, fish, seafood, and citrus notes define many dishes. In the Andes, potatoes, corn, quinoa, cheese, stews, and bold flavors dominate. In the Amazon region, cassava, plantains, river fish, and tropical fruits play a major role.
This diversity creates a cuisine that is easily recognizable internationally, but has many faces within the country itself. Ceviche in Lima is not the same experience as a highland dish in Cusco or a meal in the Amazon.
Drinks are also part of this. A Pisco Sour tells a different story than Chicha Morada or Inca Kola. Peru doesn't just have dishes; it has culinary identities.
Events in Peru
To the calendarYou can find more information under "To the calendar".
Machu Picchu as a global attraction
Machu Picchu is one of the main reasons why Peru is considered a dream destination internationally. The complex combines Inca architecture, mountain scenery, history, and an extraordinary location.
The award as the World's Leading Tourist Attraction underscores this significance. However, it also shows why visitor management is so important. Machu Picchu is not an unlimited theme park, but a fragile cultural and natural space.
Those who visit Machu Picchu should check tickets, routes, times, and rules well in advance. For many travelers, the Inca Trail is a special way to approach the site historically and scenically.
Peru as a travel destination in South America
Peru is particularly versatile in South America. It combines the Pacific coast, the Andes, the Amazon, the desert, the highlands, the metropolis, and indigenous cultural regions in one country.
This diversity is strong for tourism, but also demanding. Anyone planning for Peru should not underestimate the route, climate, altitude, transportation, and budget.
Good preparation is especially helpful for long distances, changing altitudes, and popular travel destinations. Peru rewards curiosity, but it does not like completely unplanned haste.
These pages are well-suited for culture, culinary arts, and travel planning in Peru.
Frequently asked questions about Peru and the World Travel Awards
Which World Travel Awards did Peru win in 2023?
In 2023, Peru won the global categories for World's Leading Cultural Destination and World's Leading Culinary Destination.
Is Peru still currently receiving awards?
Yes. The World Travel Awards also list Peru as the winner in the global categories for cultural destination and culinary destination in 2024 and 2025.
What role does Machu Picchu play?
Machu Picchu is Peru’s most famous attraction and was awarded World's Leading Tourist Attraction in 2024 and 2025.
Why is Peru considered a culinary destination?
Peru offers a vast diversity of regional cuisines with influences from the coast, the Andes, the Amazon, and migration. Ceviche, Lomo Saltado, Ají de Gallina, and Pisco Sour are just a few examples.
Are such awards objective rankings?
They are not scientific studies, but international tourism awards. Their strength lies primarily in visibility, image, and industry perception.
Is Peru worth it for cultural trips?
Yes. Peru combines archaeological sites, colonial cities, lively festivals, regional traditions, and a very diverse cuisine.
World Travel Awards – World's Leading Cultural Destination 2025
World Travel Awards – World's Leading Culinary Destination 2025
World Travel Awards – World's Leading Tourist Attraction 2025
World Travel Awards – World's Leading Heritage City Destination 2025
Peru.info and PromPerú – Information on Peru's tourism awards 2023
Specialist literature and tourist information on culture, gastronomy, and destinations in Peru
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