Tourism in Peru: Crisis, Recovery and New Opportunities
Peru's tourism sector has experienced a severe shock since the pandemic. The country is now visibly recovering, but safety, formality, infrastructure, and sustainable growth remain key challenges.
Before PandemicIn 2019, around 4.4 million international tourists visited Peru.
Decline in 2020The number of international tourists dropped to about 897,000, according to the OECD.
RecoveryIn 2024, inbound tourism grew significantly compared to 2023, according to Mincetur.
Current StatusFor 2025, Peru reported 4,157,469 international visitors.
Key IssuesSafety, formal providers, digital tickets, and trust.
Strong DestinationsLima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Ica, Amazon, and the Coast.
Peru is one of South America's most exciting travel destinations. The country combines World Heritage sites, Andean landscapes, the Amazon region, coastal deserts, gastronomy, and vibrant cities. It was precisely this diversity that made tourism a crucial driver for the economy, employment, and international reputation before the pandemic.
Before Covid-19, the industry was strong. In 2019, Peru recorded around 4.4 million international tourists. At the same time, domestic travel played a significant role, as many Peruvians traveled within their own country, strengthening hotels, restaurants, transport, travel agencies, and local businesses.
Then came the collapse. Border closures, travel restrictions, political uncertainty, and economic consequences hit the sector hard. Recovery is now noticeable, but it is not automatically stable. Peru needs to regain trust, maintain reliable travel routes, and better inform visitors.
The boom before the pandemic
Before 2020, tourism was one of Peru's most visible growth industries. International visitors came for Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon region, the Andes, and Peruvian cuisine.
Lima also benefited greatly. The capital developed into an important entry point for international travelers and a gastronomic 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, and Madre de Dios, many incomes are directly or indirectly linked to travel.
The sharp decline from 2020
The pandemic hit Peru hard, not only in terms of health but also economically. International tourism almost completely collapsed in 2020. According to the OECD, the number of international tourists dropped from around 4.4 million in 2019 to about 897,000 in 2020.
For many providers, 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 fell, and many families postponed excursions or holidays. Therefore, recovery could not rely solely on international guests. Peruvians themselves also had to regain confidence and purchasing power.
The crisis showed how dependent some regions are on travel. Tourism in Peru is not just leisure. For many people, it is a direct livelihood.
Recovery 2022 to 2025
From 2022, a cautious recovery was observed. International guests returned, domestic travel increased again, and many destinations gradually reopened their offerings. Nevertheless, the industry remained vulnerable to political tensions, protests, roadblocks, and insecurity.
In 2024, Mincetur reported significant growth in inbound tourism compared to 2023. The year was also marked by APEC Peru 2024, which raised Peru's international profile and particularly supported business and event tourism.
For 2025, Peru reported 4,157,469 international visitors. This is a strong sign of recovery, although distinctions must be made between tourists, visitors, day-trippers, and travelers depending on the statistics. The important thing is that the trend is upward, but the industry is not yet free from risks.
Why Peru remains strong
As a travel destination, Peru has many advantages that are hard to replace. The country offers archaeological sites, natural diversity, vibrant markets, regional cuisine, trekking, desert, rainforest, surf spots, and cities with very different characteristics.
Arequipa combines colonial architecture with volcanic landscapes. The Colca Canyon is known for its Andean scenery and condors. Cusco and Machu Picchu remain international draws. Ica, Paracas, and Huacachina showcase the country's desert side.
Gastronomy is also a significant factor. Many travelers now associate Peru with ceviche, pisco sour, lomo saltado, regional ingredients, and a confident culinary culture. This blend of history, nature, and food continues to make Peru competitive.
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What Peru needs to improve now
Recovery alone is not enough. Peru needs to make tourism more reliable, safer, and more professional. Travelers are increasingly looking for transparent information, flexible bookings, digital tickets, good communication, and safety on routes.
Informality remains an important issue. Those booking tours, transport, or accommodation should look for formal providers. For the country itself, this means clear rules, better control, and more trust for travelers and reputable businesses.
Sustainable tourism is also becoming more important. Places like Machu Picchu, the Colca Canyon, and the Amazon region are sensitive. More guests do not automatically mean higher quality. The key 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 guests in the short term, but even more important is the image effect: Peru appears as a host country, business location, and travel destination.
For tourism, such impulses are useful if they are linked to long-term improvements. These include flight connections, better digital information, safe mobility, clean tourist services, and clear crisis management.
Peru has the attractions. The crucial question is whether the country strengthens the framework conditions so that visitors enjoy coming, stay longer, and return with confidence.
Tips for Travelers
Plan earlyCheck tickets for Machu Picchu, trains, and popular tours in advance.
Formal ProvidersBook tours, transport, and accommodation with reputable providers.
Observe SafetyCheck the current situation, routes, and local advisories before traveling.
Take Altitude SeriouslyCusco, Puno, Colca, and Rainbow Mountain require acclimatization.
Plan Your Budget RealisticallyPrices can vary depending on the season, region, and availability.
Combine RegionsDon't try to squeeze the coast, Andes, and Amazon into too few days.
Relevant PeruMagazin Topics
These pages help with travel planning, context, and preparation.
Frequent 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 generates income for hotels, restaurants, guides, transport, crafts, markets, and many regional businesses.
Which destinations are particularly important?
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima, Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, Ica, Paracas, Lake Titicaca, and Amazon regions are among the most important destinations.
What should travelers currently consider?
Routes, safety 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 impetus for business, event, and travel tourism.
Is sustainable tourism important in Peru?
Yes. Many travel destinations are culturally or ecologically sensitive. Sustainable planning protects sites, communities, and nature.
Sources
Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo del Perú – Information on inbound tourism in 2024
Diario Oficial El Peruano – Data on international visitors in 2025
OECD – Tourism Trends and Policies, Peru Profile
PromPerú – Information on Peru as a travel destination
APEC Perú 2024 – Information on the tourism significance of the event
World Bank and international tourism reports on recovery and structure of the tourism sector
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