4.2 million soles, twelve tourism projects, and 309 families set to benefit! Peru aims to attract more vacationers to its Amazon region in the future. It's not just about business: around 72,000 hectares of rainforest are to be protected at the same time.
4.2 MILLION SOLES! The rainforest is now set to generate revenue
Peru is getting serious about sustainable tourism! The Ministry of Environment is funding twelve tourism business plans in the regions of San Martín, Ucayali, and Madre de Dios. More than 4.2 million soles are flowing into projects intended to provide new income for the local population.
309 families are set to benefit. At the same time, the initiatives are linked to the protection of around 72,000 hectares of forest. Instead of cutting down trees, the communities are expected to earn money through guided hikes, nature experiences, and cultural offerings.
WATERFALLS, JUNGLE, ADVENTURE! Here is where the new tourist attractions await
In Chirikyacu, an indigenous Kichwa community in San Martín, significantly more tourists are expected to hike through the rainforest in the future. The community offers hikes, canyon excursions, and trips to the Toroyacu and Sunipy Causani waterfalls.
So far, around 480 visitors come annually. With the new tourism project, this number is expected to exceed 1,200. At the same time, the community is preserving over 4,400 hectares of forest.
Progress is also being made in Ucayali. The indigenous Asháninka community of Sapani has opened a 3.7-kilometer-long tourism route. It leads to natural swimming pools, a viewpoint, and the Boca de Sapo water source. Vacationers can not only get to know the rainforest there, but also come into direct contact with the local people.
MAJOR PROMOTIONAL OFFENSIVE! Peru shows the world its Amazon
For three days, the Peruvian rainforest was in the spotlight in Lima! From September 24th to 26th, the state tourism agency PROMPERÚ presented new travel offers from the Amazon region at the Cumbre Perú Sostenible 2026.
In addition to the impressive biodiversity, the focus was also on the culture of the indigenous population. Among other things, the traditional Kené art of the Shipibo-Konibo was presented.
Representatives from the tourism industry, authorities, and nature conservation organizations discussed how to reconcile additional vacationers with the protection of sensitive ecosystems. It is particularly important that the communities themselves have a say in their tourism offerings and participate in the revenue.
GOCTA, KUÉLAP, LEYMEBAMBA! Northern Peru also wants to benefit from tourism
The northern Peruvian region of Amazonas is also receiving additional support. Three community-based tourism organizations from Cocachimba, San Pablo–Gocta, and Leymebamba will be allowed to promote themselves with the official national brand, Marca Perú, in the future.
The ceremonial presentation of the certificates is scheduled for September 29th in Chachapoyas. This gives local tourism organizations an internationally recognized promotional label for their offerings.
The Gocta waterfall, in particular, with its hiking trails from Cocachimba and San Pablo, offers economic opportunities to the surrounding communities. Accommodations, restaurants, and local tour guides can directly benefit from the additional visitors.
The historical site of Kuélap is also one of the region's major attractions. Together with Chachapoyas and Leymebamba, it forms an important foundation for multi-day trips through green northern Peru.
In parallel, the Peru Outdoor Expo 2026 is taking place from September 25th to October 2nd. International tour operators are to be made aware of destinations such as Gocta and Kuélap.
WHO CASHES IN AT THE END? There is a lot at stake for the communities
New vacationers do not automatically mean more prosperity. The decisive factor is whether the local people actually participate in the revenue. Local tour guides, family-run accommodations, restaurants, and artisans should benefit as directly as possible from the growing tourism.
At the same time, the rainforest must remain protected. After all, more visitors also mean additional burdens due to traffic, waste, and the expansion of tourism infrastructure.
The millions in funding create new opportunities for this. However, whether the twelve projects will be successful in the long term will only become clear once the visitor numbers, revenue, and actual results for forest protection are available.
Readers can find further developments on tourism and forest protection at PeruMagazin informiert.
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Sources and image credits: Ministerio del Ambiente / El Peruano, 26.09.2026; PROMPERÚ, September 2026; MINCETUR, September 2026; Agencia Andina, September 2026. Hero image: Shopify file provided by PeruMagazin "MILLIONEN FÜR DEN DSCHUNGEL" (Millions for the Jungle).
