Peru is one of South America's most exciting travel destinations. The country combines World Heritage sites, Andean landscapes, the Amazon rainforest, coastal deserts, gastronomy, and vibrant cities. It is precisely this diversity that made tourism a key driver for the economy, jobs, and international reputation before the pandemic.
The industry was strong before Covid-19. In 2019, Peru recorded around 4.4 million international tourists. At the same time, domestic travel played a major role, as many Peruvians traveled within their own country, thereby supporting hotels, restaurants, transportation, travel agencies, and local providers.
Then came the slump. Border closures, travel restrictions, political uncertainty, and economic consequences hit the sector hard. Recovery is now palpable, but it is not automatically stable. Peru must regain trust, keep travel itineraries reliable, and better inform visitors.
The pre-pandemic boom
Before 2020, tourism was one of Peru’s most visible growth sectors. International visitors came for Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon region, the Andes, and Peruvian cuisine.
Lima also benefited significantly. The capital developed into a major entry point for international travelers and, at the same time, a culinary hub. Many tourists used Lima as a starting point for round trips.
Tourism brought foreign exchange, employment, and visibility. Hotels, restaurants, guides, drivers, artisans, markets, and cultural sites all benefited. Especially in regions like Cusco, Arequipa, Ica, or Madre de Dios, many incomes depend directly or indirectly on travel traffic.
The severe slump from 2020
The pandemic hit Peru hard, not only in terms of health but also economically. International tourism collapsed almost completely in 2020. According to the OECD, the number of international tourists fell from about 4.4 million in 2019 to approximately 897,000 in 2020.
For many operators, this meant: no guests, no bookings, no tours, and no planning security. Small travel agencies, local guides, family businesses, restaurants, accommodations, and transport providers were particularly affected.
Domestic tourism also declined sharply. Travel within Peru was temporarily restricted, incomes dropped, and many families postponed excursions or vacations. Recovery, therefore, could not rely solely on international guests. Peruvians themselves also needed to regain confidence and purchasing power.
The crisis showed how dependent some regions are on travel traffic. Tourism in Peru is more than just leisure; for many people, it is their direct livelihood.
Sights in Peru
All sightsYou can find further information via "All sights".
Recovery 2022 to 2025
Starting in 2022, a cautious recovery began. International guests returned, domestic travel picked up again, and many destinations gradually reopened their offerings. Nevertheless, the industry remained susceptible to political tensions, protests, road blockades, and uncertainty.
In 2024, Mincetur reported significant growth in inbound tourism compared to 2023. The year was also shaped by APEC Peru 2024, which increased Peru’s international visibility and particularly boosted business and event tourism.
For 2025, Peru reported 4,157,469 international visitors. This is a strong sign of a return, even if a distinction must be made between tourists, visitors, day-trippers, and travelers depending on the statistics. What remains important is: the trend is upward, but the industry is not yet free of risks.
Why Peru remains strong
As a travel destination, Peru has many advantages that are difficult to replace. The country offers archaeological sites, natural diversity, lively markets, regional cuisine, trekking, deserts, rainforests, surf spots, and cities with very distinct characters.
Arequipa combines colonial architecture with volcanic landscapes. The Colca Canyon stands for Andean scenery and condors. Cusco and Machu Picchu remain international headliners. Ica, Paracas, and Huacachina showcase the country's desert side.
Gastronomy is also a key factor. Many travelers now associate Peru with ceviche, pisco sour, lomo saltado, regional ingredients, and a self-confident culinary culture. This mix of history, nature, and food keeps Peru competitive.
Latest news from Peru
All newsYou can find further information via "All news".
What Peru needs to improve now
Recovery alone is not enough. Peru must make tourism more reliable, safer, and more professional. Travelers are paying more attention to transparent information, flexible bookings, digital tickets, good communication, and safety on routes.
A major topic remains informality. Those booking tours, transport, or accommodation should look for formal providers. For the country itself, this means: clear rules, better oversight, and more trust for travelers and reputable businesses.
Sustainable tourism is also becoming increasingly important. Locations like Machu Picchu, the Colca Canyon, or the Amazon region are sensitive. More guests do not automatically mean higher quality. What is crucial is how travel is organized, managed, and supported locally.
APEC 2024 and international visibility
The APEC meetings in 2024 were an important opportunity for Peru to showcase itself internationally. Such events can bring in guests in the short term, but even more important is the image effect: Peru appearing as a host nation, a business hub, and a travel destination.
For tourism, such impulses are useful if they are linked to long-term improvements. This includes flight connections, better digital information, secure mobility, clean tourist services, and a clear approach to crises.
Peru has the attractions. The crucial question is whether the country will strengthen the framework conditions so that visitors are happy to come, stay longer, and return with confidence.
Events in Peru
To the calendarYou can find further information via "To the calendar".
Tips for travelers
Relevant PeruMagazin topics
These pages will help with travel planning, context, and preparation.
Frequently asked questions about tourism in Peru
Has tourism in Peru recovered from the pandemic?
It has recovered significantly, but not yet completely depending on the metric. In 2025, Peru reported more than four million international visitors.
Why is tourism important for Peru?
Tourism creates income for hotels, restaurants, guides, transport, crafts, markets, and many regional businesses.
Which travel destinations are particularly important?
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima, Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, Ica, Paracas, Lake Titicaca, and Amazonian regions are among the most important destinations.
What should travelers currently keep in mind?
Routes, the security situation, tickets, transport, and reputable providers should be checked in advance.
What role did APEC 2024 play?
APEC 2024 strengthened Peru's international visibility and provided impulses for business, event, and leisure tourism.
Is sustainable tourism important in Peru?
Yes. Many travel destinations are culturally or ecologically sensitive. Sustainable planning protects locations, communities, and nature.
Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo del Perú – Information on inbound tourism 2024
Diario Oficial El Peruano – Data on international visitors 2025
OECD – Tourism Trends and Policies, Peru Profile
PromPerú – Information on Peru as a travel destination
APEC Perú 2024 – Information on the tourist significance of the event
World Bank and international tourism reports on recovery and structure of the tourism sector
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