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NEWS ARCHIVE 2006

Back to our archive 2005 - 2007 - most recent news

NEWS 19.12.2006

Air Madrid gives up

The Spanish no-frills airline Air Madrid announced its shutdown and closed all operations with immediate effect last Friday. In a statement published online the company blames the ministry of transport threatening the airline with the cancellation of its license. Reason for suspending Air Madrid and issuing an ultimatum was its massive and repeated delay. Being aware of this time limit the company still kept on selling tickets, 30.000 alone in the last couple of days.

With the sudden close-down 130.000 passengers - 120.000 from Latin America (Ecuador, Columbia, Argentina, Chile, Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico and Peru) stood in the dark. A crisis management set up by the Spanish civil aeronautical authority is supposed to help them till at least the 21st of December. One step was ordering shutter flights; the first one took off last Saturday morning from Gran Canarias heading Buenos Aires with stop in Barcelona and Madrid.

Air Madrid was founded three years ago and belongs to the mallorquian Hotelier José Luis Carrillo. With its nine Airbuses the airline transported 2.6 Million passengers each year.

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NEWS 07.12.2006

The Peruvian airline Wayraperú finished its operations

Due to disagreement between shareholders and other members of the management committee all flights of the in 2006 founded airline Wayraperú were canceled in the end of November. The president of the association of Peruvian airlines (APEA), Carlos Palacín Fernández, announced that the Wayra will not revive its services in the nearer future. With an average of 7000 passengers daily the Peruvian market is not profitable for four different national airlines (AeroCondor, LANPERU, Starperu and Wayra). That is the reason why Wayra felt impelled to finish its operations. The airline pays already paid tickets back or the passengers get flight reservations with other airlines.

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NEWS 30.11.2006

Peruline organizes press tour for German journalists

Our duty as tourist information service also includes the promotion of Peru as tourist destination on the German-spoken market. Supported by our Peruvian business partners and further institutions we succeeded in organizing a 10 day press tour within Peru for 7 notable German journalists according to the motto "Archeological wonders and sustainable tourism".
Since last week the group is on tour and during this trip they not only get to know the classic destinations as for example Cusco or Machu Picchu but also the touristy less discovered destinations like Cajamarca and Chiclayo. We aim to show them new aspects and different types of tourism, like eco and vivencial tourism, in order to give them an understanding of the diversity and the uniqueness of Peru.

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NEWS 23.11.2006

Regional and local elections in Peru

The results of the elections on the regional and local level last Sunday led to surprises: The party of the current president Alan Garcia, APRA (Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana), the party PNP (Partido Nacionalista Peruano) of the disputed rival candidate of the last presidential elections Ollanta Humala and the rest of the traditional political parties come off as losers. The bad result of Alan Garcia's party is traced back on the party intern conflicts of the last few weeks. Humala`s defeat is led back to the loss of trust through the separation of his party in two blocks, the Humala allegiant nationalists and the UPP (Unión por el Perú). The non-consideration of Humala`s party during the election shows the unpredictability of the Peruvian electors. Thus, the election of Humala as presidential candidate during the election at the beginning of this year was only a demonstration of their precarious situation and no vote for him as person.
The party Unidad Nacional with its candidate and effective mayor of Lima Luis Castañeda Lossio shows better results and results to be the winner. Castañeda Lossio won more than half of the votes in the mayor election, which did not allow any chance to his rival candidates. The UN supposably has won 26 out of 42 districts and has considerably improved its results in comparison to the last elections. This party reached a strong position in Lima but a weak in the rural areas.
Further winners are the popular movement of the independent local parties this time. These parties, which are not connected with each other, profit from the incapability of acting of the traditional parties.

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NEWS 22.11.2006

Treasures of the Inca on exhibition in the museum of ethnology in Hamburg

Next Sunday, November 19th, 2006, the "treasure chamber of the Andes" will be solemnly inaugurated in the museum of ethnology in Hamburg.

From this day on various precious artworks, for example adornment and cult artifacts, from Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Columbia will be exposed to the public. From Peru you can see exhibits of the collection of the German archeologist H. Brüning (1848-1928). The collection embraces gold adornments, silver instruments, bronze miniatures and small stone sculptures of Northern Peru.
The exhibition puts emphasis on the skillful handling of the Andean population as goldsmiths and art workers. For the Andean tribes gold had a symbolic meaning; gold reflected "Inti", the god of the sun, and silver "Mama Quilla", god of the moon. For the conquerors, however, who conquered South America starting in 1532, only the material value was important. For this reason a big amount of precious artifacts already was lost through meltdown during the period of conquest. The majority of the pieces shown in the exhibition is regained burial objects from grave robberies.

The inauguration of the exhibition will take place on Sunday, November 19th, 2006, in attendance of Maria Teresa Merino de Hart, general consul of Peru. From January 21st, 2007 on the museum of ethnology in Hamburg will present the Inca gallery in the Old American exhibition.

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NEWS 09.11.2006

Peru among the leading brand destinations worldwide

In a recently published study about the global Country Brand Index (CBI) from FuturBrand and the PR agency Weber Shandwick, Peru was declared best country brand for exotic and remote long haul destination. The CBI discusses countries as "brands" and evaluates new global travel trends in the economic sector with the worldwide biggest increase: journeys and tourism. The survey was presented on the World Travel Market 2006 in London, the leading yearly fair of global tour operators. Australia leads as country brand, followed by the USA and Italy. Best country brand for authencity received India, the USA as best destination for family and business trips. The Bahamas accommodates the most beautiful beaches worldwide (best country brand for beaches) and New Zealand captivated with its astonishing nature (best country brand for breathtaking nature). Best country brand for price-quality is Thailand and for security Canada.
Besides the Country Brand Index highlights China, Croatia and the United Arab Emirates as the rising stars on the worldwide travel market in the coming five years.

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NEWS 24.10.2006

PromPeru arranged a workshop and a cooking course in Germany

This event rose the attention of the media, travel agencies, tour operators and German chefs: according to the motto "Peru - a country in action" PromPeru recently organized for travel agencies a workshop in Frankfurt on the Main. The objective of this event was presenting the variety of tourism offers in Peru and stimulating the German market's interest concerning these offers.
In the course of the workshop James Berckemeyer and Pablo Anastasio, both Peruvian star chefs in the Hotel El Olivar Sonesta Posada del Inca Lima, prepared together with German gourmet enthusiasts, delicious Peruvian plates. They offered an interactive and entertaining course for German travel agencies as well as for journalists and the common population. In this way German citizens got to know Peru as one of the best gastronomical destinations. Furthermore every participant received as a souvenir a bag with tourist information about Peru.
The German market has already developed to an important incoming source for Peru: In the year of 2005 more than 45.000 German tourists visited the land of the Inca.

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NEWS 11.10.2006

5th "Oktoberfest" in Lima

The "Oktoberfest", organized the first time in 1810 in Munich on the "Theresienwiese", in the meantime developed to the biggest traditional party in the world. Therefore it is not astonishing that in more than 200 other cities all over the world "Wiesn" followers can be found. This year, according to traditions in Munich, the fifth "Oktoberfest" of Lima takes place in the court of the "Museo de la Nación", in the district of San Borja, from the 20th until the 22nd of October. A typical German atmosphere will await the guests: table and chair furniture from Germany, copious meals from South Germany and a lot of bear - the brewery Cusqueña is producing special beer according to the German purity law for this event. Besides games and competitions additionally the music band "Zugspitzmusik" will provide entertainment.
The inauguration of this spectacle with a vociferous "Ozapft is!" will be on October 20th, 2006 at 8 pm. Beer-thirsty interested people get more information about opening hours on the homepage www.oktoberfest-peru.com.

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NEWS 26.09.2006

PromPeru promotes new tourist destination in the department of Ica

This week, PromPeru, the governmental tourist promotion institution, promulgated the future commercialization of the archaeological site of Cahuachi, 22km from the town of Nasca, as a new tourist destination in the department of Nasca. Cahuachi, supposed to be the biggest ceremonial centre built in adobe in the world, was once the domicile and the ritual centre of the Nasca culture (200-600 A.D.). The area of 34 pyramid shaped temples is with an extension of 24km even larger than the archeological site of Chan Chan, opus of the Chimú culture located near Trujillo in Northern Peru. The Nasca lines are said to have their seeds in this city of artists. Since 23 years the site, lying in the Pampas of Nasca, is excavated by archeologists under the leadership of the Italian archeologist Guiseppe Orefici.
Tourists have already got the permission to enter the area. By 2011 the architectural monument should be equipped with the required infrastructure for tourism and the public should have an easy access to Cahuachi.

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NEWS 06.09.2006

German-Peruvian art exhibition in Lima from September 26th to October 13th, 2006

Starting with September 26th paintings, sculptures and pictures of eleven Peruvian and German artists will be exhibited at the institution Centro Cultural de Bellas Artes in Lima. Both the plastic works of the professional Peruvian artists and the exhibits of German people, living in Peru, demonstrate the individual impressions of the hectic everyday life of Lima which is rich in contrast. The common exhibition of the artists, originating from different working areas, shall act as role model: by the unification of different artistic styles, which characterize passion and creativity of each member, the artists want to bring together the German-Peruvian community and finally strengthen the relation in the long term.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by the director of the Escuela Nacional Superior Autónoma de Bellas Artes del Perú and the German ambassador in the institution Centro Cultural de Bellas Artes on September 26th at 7:30 p.m.. The work pieces can be contemplated until October 13th, 2006.

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NEWS 18.08.2006

Mochica crown returns to its home country soon

The British police made a sensational discovery last week: In an English gallery a unique golden crown dated to the Mochica culture (ca. 200-800 a.D.) was found. In the end of the 80s this precious find was stolen during a spectacular robbery at the archeological site "Cerro la Mina", in the valley of the river Jequetepeque in the department of Libertad, between Trujillo and Chiclayo. The crown is said to be the most beautiful adorn-ment object of the early Mochica period. The headdress is showing an anthropoid divinity in the middle, eight octopus arms around ending in heads of cat fishes. This fish is associated with fertility rites so that the adornment is uniting the elements of the river, the sea and the earth. After the handing over to the Peruvian government the crown can be seen in the museum "Tumbas Reales" in Lambayeque.
In order to push the search for other finds, stolen during the robbery, the British police are now depending on the support and the interest of the Peruvian government.

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NEWS 14.08.2006

Increased security measures at the airport of Lima

The just-in-time avoided attacks on airlines in Great Britain also cause stricter security controls at the airport of Lima. Due to this fact numerous flights are late or even canceled. The new rules forbid the entrainment of liquids in the hand luggage on every flight to or via the United States except baby nutrition and important medicine with prescription. The execution of accurate security controls with tracker dogs on the airport of Lima delays the departure of many tourists. Until now it is not clear how long this state of emergency will be kept.

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NEWS 04.08.2006

New cabinet with surprises

After the change of the Peruvian government (we reported in past News) the inauguration of the new secretaries took place. Some surprises occurred: The new president Alan García revealed the 15 new secretaries; among those are six women. It is remarkable that Pilar Mazzetti was announced to be secretary of the Interior and therefore is the first woman in charge of the Peruvian police. The new secretary of trade and tourism, Mercedes Araoz, is going to emphasis on the customer service in the tourism sector to make Peru more attractive as a destination worldwide. She annunciated that she wants to emphasis on the development of exportable goods and services and is going to eclipse the free trade agreement with the USA for the first instance.

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NEWS 26.07.2006

At Fiestas Patrias whole Peru is going crazy

Already for weeks Peru has been preparing for the most important yearly national holidays: On the 28th and 29th of July Fiestas Patrias, Peru's Independence, is celebrated. On July 28, 1821 Peru became independent thanks to Don José de San Martín. The festivities can begin three days ahead with the feast of St. James on July 25. On the following days until the 29th whole Peru is starting to commemorate by celebrating church services and parades; "La Gran Parada Militar", one of the biggest, takes place on the 29th in Lima. This year the -perhaps- biggest national holiday is special: The inauguration of the newly elected president Alan Gracia occurs. Important personalities including the prince of Astoria, Felipe de Borbón, are expected to attend the activities.

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NEWS 14.07.2006

Relief: Machu Picchu is not put on List of World Heritage in Danger

As mentioned in the news on Friday, the UNESCO was considering putting Machu Picchu on the List of World Heritage in Danger (please see News 07.07.2006). Today, relief: The UNESCO decided not to put the archeological park of Machu Picchu on the List of World Heritage in Danger. But the Commission leaves it open and is going to follow the actions of the Peruvian state carefully awaiting a solution in this case and actions in order to protect the monument of the Inca. However, all has not been said and done: the mayors of the small town Santa Teresa and of the province still keep building the bridge; even tough a juridical resolution ordered to stop the construction. However, it is clear hat the national law of protection of sheltered areas and the world cultural heritage-law prohibit the finalization of this construction.

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NEWS 10.07.2006

Bridge constructions threatens World Cultural Heritage status of Machu Picchu

The UNESCO could put the archeological park of Machu Picchu on the List of World Heritage in Danger because a bridge is supposed to be constructed inside of the park. The representatives of the international organization meet these days in Lithuania to discuss this issue.
The bridge - built over the river Urubamba - would make the small village of Santa Teresa, submontane of Machu Picchu and in the zone of the archeological park, accessible but also ease the traffic and transport of agricultural products for inhabitants. Besides the fact that the flow of tourists to the zone of Machu Picchu would be not adjustable and controllable anymore, a population growth and chaotic trade, happening at the moment around Aguas Calientes also submontane of Machu Picchu, is feared.
The construction is done in an untouchable zone and is prohibited by Peruvian law and guidelines of the UNESCO. The risk of being put on the Danger List is run. Additionally, the mayor of Santa Teresa never applied for conform construction solicitations; but supported by the regional president and authorities of Cusco threaten boycotts. Yesterday, Thursday, the first manifestation of inhabitants of the affected towns in Cusco took place.

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NEWS 07.07.2006

Street blockades in provinces: Tourists had to walk

Since the beginning of this week, every day new announcements about strikes in Peru appear on the news: In the province of El Callao-llave, near the local boarder to Yunguyo, hundreds of tourists were stranded for two days. The tourists arrived in the area of Kayani, Bolivia, by public bus and wanted to go on to Puno, Peru. But at this point, the journey for them was over for 48 hours.
The nation wide protests address against the joining of Andean Free Trade Agreement of the United States of America, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Particularly farmers are worried that cheap imports of the over-subsidized US-agro products could hurt the local agriculture badly. Therefore some farmers who were protesting against the ratification in the congress, made some of the core routes of the main tourism attractions only conditionally accessible including Puno and Cusco; however, the steady working flow was guaranteed. Yet none of these strikes lasted as long as the one in Yunguyo.
Today, dated Friday, news once again: On the way from Cusco to Juliaca the way was hardly passable for five kilometers for a short time because of stones and wheel rims put on it by locals. The passengers and tourists of the super provincial bus had to get off and leave this area on foot in order to continue their journey as planned.

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NEWS 23.06.2006

Sacred Valley is declared National Cultural Heritage

Now it is certain: the Sacred Valley of the Inca is going to be declared national cultural heritage! In the past, a team of anthropologists, historic experts, archeologists, architects and specialists has been working closely with the municipality of Valle Sagrado in order to set up the required plan. On the one hand, the declaration will be the basis for the solicitation for UNESCO's World Heritage Site. On the other hand, the it will permit to focus increasingly on the protection and conservation of the historic site which extends to the provinces Urubamba and Calca and which is amongst Peru's most visited tourist destinations.

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NEWS 05.06.2006

Peru has got a new president

On Sunday, June 4, 2006, the Peruvians were asked once again to the voting box after the first ballot which took place in April, to elect Peru's new president for the term of office between 2006 to 2011. The first, official results confirm what have already been forecasted by former surveys: Alan Garcia, the candidate of the left winged, democratic party APRA, crowed over his rival Ollanta Humala, ex-militarist and representative of the nationalistic party UPP, and is about to be the successor of the actual head of state Alejandro Toledo. Garcia already was Peru's president between 1985 and 1990, his term was characterized by high inflation rates and great dispersion of the terror organization Sendero Luminoso. Alan Garcia will take office on July 28, and will be confronted with the challenging task to handle the social, regional and economic problems of this country.

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NEWS 18.05.2006

Spectacular mummy find: woman of Cao riddles scientists

Investigators have found a spectacular tomb in the arceological complex El Brujo near Trujillo, in the North of Peru. A woman laid there for 1700 years, burried at the pyramid Cao, wrapped up in meterlong cotton sheets, richly gerned with gold and semi-precious stones, and tattooed with extensive mystic symbols on arms and legs. The woman was found accompanied by another mummy - a sacrificed teenage girl.

After first insights, the woman's history goes back to the year 250 a.C. - the time when the Mochica culture was settled in the region of Trujillo and Chiclayo. The discoverer Regulo Franco is convinced that the woman which died at the age of 25, had had to take a very special position in her society. "Next to other things, we found 18 artful necklaces in the tomb. Concerning the variety of emblems and ornaments, they coincide with those typical for the Mochica culture and their rituals and temple ceremonies. The precious jewelry made of gold and silver reflects the magic-religious skills of the young woman and her narrow connection to day and night and her powerful position within the theocratic state. Maybe she was even considered and revered as a demigod", the archeologist concludes.

The mummy has been remarkably well-conserved over the last 1500 years. On the one hand, Franco and his colleagues relate its extraordinary, good conditions to the medium profoundness of the tomb. The mummy was found in the pyramid Cao burried deeply enough beneath the surface to protect it from sun and heavy rain falls like El Nino, but at the same time highly enough above the pyramid's basis to avoid floodings. On the other hand, the use of the mineral cinabrio could have contributed to the body's conservation. This sulfate avoids the infestation by bacteries; its traces were found beyond various metals excavated in the tomb.

Beside other methods, the scientist have already been able to collect essential data by applicating the radiocarbo-method, but the woman of Cao still remains a mystery: unusual for example are her numerous tattoes on arms, hands and feet. Snakes and spiders are their principal motive. "Within the Andean mythology, these animals stand for the fruitfulness of the earth", Franco explains. At least for him, the tattoes found beyond the woman's skin prove her role as a shaman or a priest. Besides, it is still unrevealed why there were spear throwers added in the mummy's grave. For the first time, there have been found weapons in a female tomb - science still remains in the dark.

And finally: why did the woman have to die in her prime? Maybe, because she was carrying a child? Maybe as a consequence of a crisis of the Mochica culture? Was it suicide? Or had she been a sacrifice which should becalm the gods? We do not know. We just know that she has had to be an outstanding personality in due time.

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NEWS 18.05.2006

May 18, International Day of Museums

On May 18, the International Day of Museums takes place! In Lima, too, everybody interested in culture has the opportunity at the whim - and free of admission - to get in touch with the Peruvian history and culture. For this occasion, the most important and interesting museums have got their gates open from 9am until 9pm. Beside the two most famous museums situated in the heart of Lima, the Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Perú and the national museum, there can be visited numerous archeological sites this day. A special occasion to get to know more about Peru and its treasuries!

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NEWS 16.05.2006

Glacier Pastoruri has been disused

The glacier Pastoruri - figurehead for adventure holidays and andinismo in Áncash - has been disused as tourist attraction of this region: because of the heavy glacier's melting in the recent years, it will not be able to receive further visitors who until now came here for iceclimbing, hiking, snowbiking or skiing. The 5,300 m high snow covered mountain will be replaced by an alternative glacier to guarantee the practice of winter and adventure sports in the future. The Pastoruri will be substituted by a glacier that disposes of better security as well as access conditions. Investigations detected clefts which could provoke accidents and endanger visitors. However, the designation of the new tourist glacier does not mean the complete closure of the Pastoruri, but future visitors' restrictions.

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NEWS 08.05.2006

90 percent less fish in Lake Titicaca

Scientists assume that since 1985 the quantity of fish in Lake Titicaca has decreased about 90 percent. The unimpeded over fishing by the local fishermen is considered as reason for this dramatic diminution.
Now, a group consisting of Peruvian and Bolivian biologists and engineers using a research ship making sonic studies is measuring the biomass, the allocation of the fish, and the physical and chemical characteristics of the lake. The results of the investigation are to be provided to the locals in order to frame rules for fishing before there's no fish left in Lake Titicaca. There are approximately 7000 fishermen from Peru and Bolivia living from fishing.
In the year 1985 there were measured 91 tonnes of fish, but at the last investigation in 2001 there were quantified only 51.000 tonnes.

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NEWS 25.04.2006

Possible volcanic eruption:
While inhabitants are evacuated, tourists are coming

The volcano Ubinas, about 270 kilometers from Arequipa, has shown increased activity since the end of March. Some of the region's inhabitants already had to take flight from the sporadic explosions and sulfurous fumes and had to be evacuated. The situation is alarming: Either the active volcano expires or it erupts - nobody knows what will happen next. The government has sent food, tents, blankets and pharmaceuticals for poisoned animals. Further evacuations might be necessary.
In the meantime the tourists´ interest in the concerned region Moquegua has increased. The menacing volcanic eruption attracts more scientists and tourists to that district than ever before. The foreign press is on the spot as well.
The local tourism managers are trying to benefit from that new demand and breaking into the new market of scientific tourism. They're planning guided tours to the center of the researchers´ interest and scientific conversations.

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NEWS 18.04.2006

A Boing called Machu Picchu

The Dutch airline KLM promotes Peru as a traveler`s destination at the world`s airports. It baptized its new Boing 777ER Machu Picchu. On April 12 the new plane had its first flight, which was from Seattle (USA), Boing´s domicile, to Schiphol, Amsterdam. Together with this plane others were baptized names of UNESCO sites of Cultural Heritages, too. Currently, KLM disposes of 12 Boing 777-200ER but plans to ad six further planes until 2009.

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NEWS 12.04.2006

Presidential elections: The nationalist Humala will be one of the candidates in the second ballot, but who else?

After the presidential elections in Peru on April 9, the results of the last polls were confirmed quite fast. The nationalistic militarist Ollanta Humala (UPP) managed getting into the second ballot easily. Who will be the second candidate still has to be verified. The conservative candidate of the Unidad Nacional Lourdes Flores and the socialistic ex-president (APRA) during the count of votes recently are fighting against each other in an neck-and-neck race, but Tuesday García passed Flores. Now, Humala has got 30,96 percent, García 24,44 percent and Flores 23,37 percent of the valid votes. Until now 87,66 percent of votes are counted. Flores and her supporters are still hoping that the owing 87.000 votes from abroad will turn the situation.

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NEWS 06.04.2006

Volcano Ubinas is about to erupt

Since a few days, the volcano Ubinas, situated in the district of same denominator in the province Moquegua in Sánchez de Cerro - shows increased seismic activity: the discharging water vapor has now turned into ashes which can be interpreted as a sign for an upcoming eruption. As scientists announced, the volcano Ubinas which is located 70 km from Arequipa, will not have any dangerous impact on the volcano Misti.

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NEWS 30.03.2006

Recent access to the Pisco route in Montegua

Having been impossible the last five years because of bad road conditions, tourists are now getting the opportunity to visit the 15 wine bodegas and Pisco distilleries situated at the so-called "Ruta del Pisco". This was enabled by the recently completed construction work on the route which is 32 km of total length. From now on, this easy access will attract a lot of tourists visiting this region which is not only known for its culture and custom rather than for the production of the traditional Peruvian liqueur.

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NEWS 24.03.2006

Hotel chain Costa del Sol accepted the bid for first hotel at the airport of Lima

Having been one out of four candidates in the tendering procedure concerning the first hotel at the international airport Jorge Chávez, our partner Hoteles Costa del Sol was accepted as operator. It was granted the concession until 2031. Construction works start in August, and the building is supposed to be finished in June 2007. The new Hotel Costa del Sol is going to have four stories covering together 3385m², additionally 1,600m² are provided for office space and 300m² for event rooms. Without any doubt, this project means a big step forward for the Hoteles Costa del Sol, the leading hotel chain in the North of Peru. Congratulations!

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NEWS 21.03.2006

International Tourism Fair Berlin: Peru gets Best Exhibitor Award 2006

At the International Tourism Fair Berlin (ITB, 8 - 12 March) Peru has won the award for the best stand in the category Latin America and Caribbean. Although the Brazilean competitors presented a bigger stand, Peru was the one to be finally awarded. "Peru convinced the jury with a better infrastructure, a better service and the variety of culinary appetizers spoiling the guests", said Elizabeth Barthelmess, director of Promperú, the national institute for tourism promotion. And of course, the Peruvians performed many traditional dances of the different regions, with their colorful clothes and authentic music. The Peruvian area consisted in 44 exhibitors, such as tour operators, national and regional organizations. With about 10.000 exhibitors from 180 countries the ITB is the most important tourism fair of the world.

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NEWS 16.03.2006

Jurassic Park in the department of Arequipa

On March 21, the adventure is going to begin: there will be inaugurated a dinosaurs' park in Arequipa! Four years ago, 3 young men found some animal traces which where later identified as 150 million year old dinosaurs'. Right there, in Querullpa, province of Castilla, about 200 km from Arequipa, the last preparations for the Jurassic Park's inauguration are in progress. The end of March, tourists can visit up to 68 traces, 50 to 90 cm of size, of the urterrestrials weighing up to 10 tons. Besides, you will get the oppurtinity of gazing the dinosaurs, constructed life-sized!

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NEWS 13.03.2006

PeruRail reopens railroad Arequipa - Puno

PeruRail is reopening the railroad from Arequipa to Puno. Initially, four trips will be offered in order to check it´s rentability. The railroad company has great expectations and trust in being politically and socially supported by the authorities and citizens of Arequipa. By reviving this railway track, PeruRail provides amplificated railroad connections between the most important tourist destination in the south of Peru, such as Arequipa, Puno, Cusco and Machu Picchu.

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NEWS 09.03.2006

Wooden warriors in Chan Chan

Researchers of the National Institute of Culture made further important discoveries in the citadel of Chan Chan in the north of Peru. Working on restoration and conservation of the ceremonial center, they found 18 graven warriors made out of wood. The sculptures are about 80 cm tall and 26 cm wide. Their faces are coverd by red masks and their hands are entwined in front of the chest. Lances mark them as warriors.
Chan Chan, only six kilometers away from Trujillo, was the capital of the Chimú-Culture between 1000 and 1450 a.C.. With about 60.000 inhabitants it was the biggest adobe-built city of the world. Today, Chan Chan is UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most imporant tourism attractions in the North of Peru.

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NEWS 01.03.2006

Today Incatrail opens again

The National Institute of Cultur, like every year, had closed the Incatrail during February in order to guarantee the vegetation`s natural recuperation and to evaluate the tourists` impact on the path. Workers worked on maintaining the block paved route and the balustrade, too. The route was closed from kilometer 77, from where most trekkers start their way to Machu Picchu. In 2005 aproximately 54,000 Peruvians and tourists from abroad walked along the famous Camino Inca.

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NEWS 24.02.2006

Cusco announces further strikes

About 2000 people went out on strike on Wednesday. The regional workers` union and the regional plenum of Cusco had called out on this 24-hour work stoppage in order to express their discontent with the recently signed free trade agreement. Consequently, tourists´ activities were almost completely paralyzed. In the meantime, people are working again and the public isn´t concerned anymore. But in case the government doesn´t conform to the laborers` requirements, Carlos Cuaresma, the president of the regional plenum Cusco, announced further work stoppages. He was accused for impeding touristic activities and commerce by Carlos Canales, the president of the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR).

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NEWS 22.02.2006

South Peru: Strike against Free Trade Agreement

Today, the south of Peru is on strike. In order to guarantee the tourists` integrity, the train service to Machu Picchu is suspended as well. The population is on strike against the Free Trade Agreement with the US which was signed by President Toledo at the end of last year. Especially the Andean people and farmers are concerned, because the products of their traditional cultivation will now have to compete with cheaper products from the US. The work stoppage is going to last 24 hours. This morning, the airport and the streets of Cusco were empty. However, the public authorities of Cusco and Arequipa assured extra units protecting the tourists´ activities.

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NEWS 15.02.2006

Authority is considering further time restrictions at the airport of Iquitos

Due to the permanent danger of collisions with raptors living around the airport of Iquitos, the authority of aviation is considering further time restrictions. The president of the Association of Peruvian Airlines (APEA), Carlos Palacín, doesn't even rule out opening hours only during the night. Last week, he confirmed the consolidation of these plans. As a consequence, the airlines operating in this region will have to adapt to the new conditions and adjust their flight times. And of course, travel agencies, tour operators, and tourists could be forced to change their programs, too. Recently, there are no arrivals and departures between 9 a.m. 4 p.m in Iquitos.
"Eradicating the raptors would be the only alternative to this radical constrict. But to do that, we would need the authorization of the National Institute for Natural Resources (INRENA)", concluded Palacín.

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NEWS 08.02.2006

In 2005 less tourists went the Inkatrail leading to Machu Picchu

Last year 53.000 tourists came to Machu Micchu not by train or bus, but on their own feet and using the old trail of the Inka. In 2004, 6000 tourists more walked the Inkatrail, said the local director of tourism, Javier Elorrieta. Opened 310 days in 2005, the 38 kilometer distance was walked by 170 tourists a day, most of them from the US and Europe. When planning to do this famous trek, tourists are obligated to consult special touroperators. Only 170 out of 340 operating agencies have got the license to offer the Inkatrail trek. In most cases the trek is about three days and costs, depending on the agencies, at least 200 USD and up to 500 USD. For maintenance work, the Inkatrail will be closed till the 1st of March.

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NEWS 25.01.2006

Pacaya Samiria Nature Reservation could be cultural and natural heritage of humanity

Because of its extraordinary biodiversity as well as for its strategic importance the nature reservation Pacaya Samira could be announced cultural and natural heritage by the UNESCO. In order to support this matter the National Culture Institute of Loreto (INC Loreto) has formed a committee and is negotiating with the UNESCO. The announcement to be heritage of humanity would not only diminish the fluctuation of international support but also give the possibility to protect intensively the biodiversity of the Pacaya Samiria Nature Reservation and to improve the tours through the reservation. Many local institutions as well as communities are supporting this important matter.

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NEWS 19.01.2006

TANS and FERSIMAC rereceive their operating authorization

DGAC withdraws the suspension published at the beginning of the year for the airline TANS as they did not cope with the required security standards. TANS will probably resume its services before midfebruary.

Also the train operator FERSIMAC (Ferrocarril Santuario Inca de Machu Picchu SAC) had been given the operating permission that has not been extended since the operater had never utilized the license. Due to several blokades that caused enormous losses in the tourism sector the decision now finally was repealed.

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NEWS 18.01.2006

Lima celebrates its birthday

Today the capital of Peru is celebrating the 471st anniversary of its foundation by the Spaniard Francesco Pizarro on 18 January 1535. At midnight the festivities started and continued until 7 am when the Natioanl Guard with salvos. As in the previous years many museums, churches and community buildings were open to the public without entrance fee as for instance the Monestary Santo Domingo or the Cathedral of Lima.

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NEWS 17.01.2006

New airline over the Nazca-Lines

The airline Nazca Airlines S.A.C. recently received their operating permission. Its fleet consists of six Cessnas, a new Beechcraft and a Poper Chevenne. The operating zones will be the lines of Nazca and Palpa as well as the Colca Canyon. To finally start operating the enterprise still has to receive its operating license.

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NEWS 13.01.2006

Star Peru launches new flight connections to Chiclayo

The airline Star Peru is making efforts to increase. Today it opens up the second frequency for the connection Lima-Trujillo-Chiclayo and from tomorrow, 14 January the route Lima-Iquitos-Tarapoto will be offered by Star Peru. According to media reports there are plans to launch further connections to Arequipa and Juliaca in the second half of February whereas the routes from Lima to Cusco and from Lima-Iquitos shall be flown more frequently.

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NEWS 11.01.2006

From today on Aerocondor operates to Tumbes

According to media reports the airline Aerocondor now offers flights from Lima to Tumbes via Chiclayo and Piura. Every monday, wednesday, friday and sunday a plane will leave Lima at 5.30pm and reach its destination at 8 pm. News that Aerocondor only wants to support the airline TANS until it will take up operations again are demented.

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NEWS 10.01.2006

TANS suspended from flight operations

The recent loss of two turbines, one on 15 December in Cusco and the other one on 6 January at the airport in Tarapoto made the decision easy for the DGAC (Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil, General Office for Civil Flight Operations) to suspend TANS from operating. The director of the DGAC also stated that there won't be given any partial licence for TANS as they are not able to provide the required security standard.
Flights that have been already payd but not used are tried to be reembursed at the moment.

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NEWS 05.01.2006

New citadell of the Paracas culture discovered in the valley of Palpa

During investigations at the excavation site of Pernil Alto, 10 km northwest of the city of Palpa (near the Paracas peninsula) archaeologists discovered a adobe construction.. The special construction is assumed to have formed the citadell of the ruins that had been discovered 2 years ago. The building dates back to 1200 to 800 BC and therefore is one of the oldest excavated sites on Peru's coast. Further findings such as textiles, bones and muscles let think of a high developed culture with trade relations. That the culture populating the Palpa valley has been part of the Paracas culture seems to be prooved by the various ceramics that show the typical antropomorphal style. The project - supported by the Switzerland- Lichtenstein Foundation for Archaeological Investigations Abroad, the Commission for Noneuropean Cultures of the Archaological Institute of Germany as well as the Ministry of Culture in Germany - is planned to continue till 2008.

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NEWS 04.01.2006

Machu Picchu nominated as one of the new seven world wonders

Only the pyramids of Giseh remain of the ancient seven world wonders. Therefore the author and film producent Bernhard Weber initiated a campaign in order to elect new seven world wonders (n7w). For five years people could appoint a monument and vote for it via the internet. 77 candidates were put on the socalled longlist which was presented to a jury of experts who announced 21 candidates for the final ellection. The complex of Machu Picchu had been built by the Inca in the 15th century and is now one of the main tourist attractions in Peru. For the whole year 2006 people can vote by calling an international phone number. The rate gains are forwarded to a foundation created to preserve the monuments.

Find out more about Machu Picchu on our website www.peruline.com

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