NEWS ARCHIVE 2008Back to our archive 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - most recent news
¡FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PRÓSPERO AÑO NUEVO! Merry Christmas and peaceful holidays filled with serenity and harmony. Wishing you all the joys of the holiday season; may there be peace, hope and love in your home. Have fun drinking hot wine punch, making snowmen and baking christmas cookies with your beloved ones. Our call center in Passau is going to be closed from December 19th to January 6th due to the holidays. Nevertheless, please feel free to keep sending your travel requests or requests for information via mail. We are very pleased to respond to your mails at anytime. Please write to callcenter@peruline.com or info@peruline.com. In this sense, our peruline-team wishes you ¡Felices Pascuas y un Venturoso Año Nuevo! Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
VESTIGES OF AN OLD CITADEL DISCOVERED An expedition consisting of members of the Tourist Information and the Touristic Consultation Committee of Bagua recently made an astonishing discovery in the region of Amazonia: They found vestiges of an old citadel, which probably had prospered between the 16th and 19th century in Peru’s province of Bagua. In Santiago de Lomas they discovered walls of adobe, two spires that are apparently related to a temple, a water reservoir protected by limestone, traces of streets and passages and about 20 human skulls. After the discovery, the authorities demanded the restoration and touristic promotion of the citadel as well as the improvement of the accommodation road to the small town in order to avoid difficulties for the tourists who want to access this area from Bagua.
RAILWAY ROUTE FROM CUSCO TO AGUAS CALIENTES OPERATED AGAIN FROM TOMORROW ON Although the strike that was announced for today could be paused due to yesterday's negotiations between local peasants and governmental armed forces, PeruRail holds up the strike of the railway transportation from Cusco to Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu Pueblo. This railway route constitutes the only possibility to approach Machu Picchu by means of transportation and is therefore of significant importance to Peruvian tourism. As a consequence, more than 1,500 tourists were not able to visit the ruins of the old Inca fortress today. From Tuesday, 5th of November 2008 until Sunday, 9th of November 2008 railway transportation in this area will again be operated. The company regrets the inconvenience caused for national and international tourists as well as for the residents living in communities nearby. The residents of La Convención - located in the Sacred Valley of the Inca - announced that they would go on strike at 10th of November 2008 which will cause further exposures of the railway transportation. Changes to itineraries by organizers and travel agencies are possible.
SPRING IN LIMA STARTS WITH FLOWER TRADE FAIR The weather in the Peruvian capital is slowly changing and the winter gives way to spring, which causes many people to leave their homes in order to visit the different types of trade fairs organized in the metropolis. After the successful gastronomic trade fair "Peru, mucho gusto" from 16th to 21st of September in Lima, on the first weekend of October another trade fair took place in the Parque Central in the district of Miraflores: the second international flower trade fair "Perúflora 2008" where the country's different plants and flowers were exhibited. Ranging from cactuses to rainforest plants, there was something for everyone and many people bought an exotic treasure to decorate their living rooms with. Therefore, from 2nd to 5th of October Lima lived up to its name (the translation of the Spanish word flores is flowers).
COLCA CANYON - ONE OF THE NEW 7 WONDERS OF NATURE? After Machu Picchu was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in July 2007, now the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest Canyons of the world, is nominated to be elected Wonder of Nature. For this purpose the city of Arequipa starts a campaign next Sunday called "Week of voting for the Colca Canyon" which is meant to promote the election of the Colca Canyon as one of the 7 Wonders of Nature. During the campaign polling and information booths will be set up in order to motivate people to vote for the impressive natural site. It is also possible for everyone to cast their vote on the websites of the New7Wonders Organisation. Other sites in Peru that are nominated are the Cotahuasi Canyon, also situated near Arequipa, Machu Picchu and the Lake Titicaca. You can also cast your vote for the Colca Canyon in the election of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, just visit the following website: www.natural7wonders.com.
TOURISM MOST IMPORTANT SECTOR OF ECONOMY The National Chamber of Tourism in Peru (Cámara Nacional del Turismo del Perú CANATUR), lately stated that tourism is the most dynamic and most important sector of international economy. Tourism is even more important than industry, agriculture and mining, so they say. Alejandro Toledo, ex-president of Peru, once announced the creation of a ministry exclusively for tourism, but this idea was soon to be stalled as the creation of the ministry of foreign trade and tourism (Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo, Mincetur) was pushed forward. Consequently, there is currently no ministry, but only a chamber of tourism. Discussions about the importance and the expansion of the sector have been going on for a while, but despite great protests on the part of the population the government seems to disregard the subject. Even the current president, Alan García, did not address the issue much when he held his speech on 28th of July, Peru's national holiday. CANATUR mentioned that tourism is the most productive sector with the greatest and most sustainable development. Furthermore it has been growing continuously exceeding 10% annually for 15 years now.
SPECTACULAR DISCOVERY NEAR CHICLAYO Recently, the unexpected discovery of a 1.700 years old tomb, approximately 40 kilometers from Chiclayo, delighted the Canadian project leader Steve Bourget and his colleague Bruno Alva Meneses. The remains of the Mochica sovereign show similarities in comparison to the excavations of the Huaca Rajada by the famous archeologist Walter Alva, father of Bruno Alva. 20 years ago, he revealed the holy tombs of Sipán. The recently discovered tomb in the archeological complex of Úcupe contains a body and some oblations like golden earrings, nose clips and diverse ceramics, as well as two extraordinary beautiful gold pieces that have been transported to the museum Tumbas Reales de Sipán in Chiclayo for conservation and maintenance. Until now, the investigators act on the assumption that this is the main tomb and more will be found in the ambit, for example a priest or a warrior. The excavations started one month ago and are protected for eventual plunder by the police. The construction of a museum for the exhibition of the funds and the touristic development is already planned.
POPULATION GROWS CONSTANTLY After the population census on the 21st of October 2007 the government finally published the actual population statistics. According to this, 28.220.764 people are living in the Andean estate, so that the amount increased annually to 1.6 percent in comparison to the last registration procedure in 1993 and makes Peru to the fourth most populated country in South America. Especially the coast and rainforest regions notify an enormous increase, of which the capital Lima, followed by Piura, La Libertad, Cajamarca and Puno constitute altogether 52.5 percent of the population. In contrast to that, Tacna, Pasco, Tumbes, Moquegua and Madre de Dios are with 3.8 percent less populated. Furthermore, the population grows annually approximately by 400.000 people and is relatively young. That means 30 percent are less than 15 years old and the working age group (age from 15 to 64) represent 63 percent.
MACHU PICCHU BECOMES MORE POPULAR FROM YEAR TO YEAR After Machu Picchu was declared to one of the 7 new world wonders in June 2007, the tourist stream to Cusco increased to 10 percent this year. The number of 900.000 tourists, that visited this mystic city of ruins last year, shall grow to 20 percent in 2008 according to experts. Of the more than 200.000 visitors that traveled to Cusco from January to March this year, only 8 percent are Peruvian inhabitants, whereas 92 percent are represented by international tourists, especially from the USA, France, Spain, Germany and England.
SPECTACULAR DISCOVERY NEAR ICA During the 9th and 11th of April 2008 the group of investigators "Ojos del Cóndor" (the eyes of the condor) and editors of the diary El Comercio discovered a new geoglyph in Ocucaje, in the region of Ica. The 137 meter long and 87 meter wide condor is according to the information of the research director an effort of the Paracas Cavernas culture, which settled there from 600 to 800 before Christ and revered the lord of the heaven as their divinity. This image is completed by 3 further drafts: an insect, a mollusk and another bird. This finding represents one of the most impressive ones of the last years in that region.
20 MILLION US DOLLAR FOR PERU According to information of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC, there will take place an investment of 20 million US dollar this year in order to enlarge the tourist infrastructure. Altogether, there are expected 10 million visitors from all over the world, like economic leaders, experts and journalists. The extraordinary culinary network of Lima will be extended by more than 40 restaurant openings this year to satisfy the gusto of the international guests
PERU - AWARD FOR PRESENTATION AT THE ITB Tourism experts nominated the exhibition stand of PromPeru as the best in the category America/Caribbean the 4th year in succession. The outstanding and exotic stand of the Andean country stood up to others in criteria as information, service, activities and lasting overall impression. The crowd puller predominantly convinced with its innovative design that combined knowledge, fun and entertainment to a real adventure. Many visitors remained in the jungle corner or marveled at the simulated Machu Picchu in the digital photo area that invited to take some nice memory shots. With an inviting bar, the team of PromPeru created a cordial atmosphere in which judges, as fairgoers enjoyed appetizers of the national heritage declared cuisine and the national beverage Pisco Sour..
2.5 MILLION VISITORS DURING THE DAYS OF EASTER According to information of the Peruvian chamber of foreign trade, 2.5 million people will travel through Peru during the Semana Santa (Holy Week). For many natives those days represent the ideal time to visit their remote living family or they want to participate in the impressive processions like many tourists do. Ayacucho, with the most spectacular ceremonial processions of whole Latin America, expects the largest amount of tourist arrivals in whole Peru, while also other cities prepare themselves for the rush of visitors. Cajamarca, for example, provides 4.000 beds for their tourists. Travelers should count on higher prices for accommodation and transportation.
DISCOVERY OF OLDEST PERUVIAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN CONSTRUCTION According to information of German and Peruvian archaeologists, a few weeks ago they have found a 5.500 years old historical site in Sechín Bajo in the valley of Casma, which is situated approximately 370 km north of Lima. This is the discovery of the oldest construction in Peru and even South America and opens a complete new chapter in history of Peru. 16 years ago, Renate Patzschke, at that time a German Student who was investigating for her final thesis, came to Casma and since then she is involved, together with the director of the project Peter R. Fuchs in the archaeological excavation in Sechín. On the basis of carbon dating, it was determined that the construction was build 3.500 before Christ. It is build mainly out of natural stones which indicates that the builders had a considerable knowledge and capability of erecting constructions durables. With astonishment, the archaeologists discovered a relief which shows the “Degollador”, the executioner who holds a knife in his right hand and a snake in his left hand. Until now, it was assumed that this character derived from a later time.
STRIKE IN CUSCO Many tour operators threaten to declare a strike in Cusco. The just modified law 29164 which implies the privatization of cultural treasures in Peru - including Machu Picchu - outrages especially the residents of Cusco. Already on February 7th a strike was called in Cusco. No buses o taxis were allowed to drive in the city center and even the train to Machu Picchu stood still. With the new law, private investors could restore, conserve and obtain cultural assets in Peru, archaeologically sites, museums or integral nature reserves. The inhabitants of Cusco don’t want to “sell” their sanctuary, as they express it. The chamber of commerce and industry in Lima informed that strikes in Cusco would have a negative impact with financial losses of millions, especially for the tourism sector in Cusco and the whole country. Furthermore, the reputation of Peru as a tourism destination would suffer enormously. Many tourists travel to Peru, for the only purpose to see Machu Picchu.
TENNIS DAVIS CUP IN LIMA, PERU VS. SPAIN For the next three days, from the 8th to the 10th of February keep your fingers crossed for the tennis players Luis Horna and Ivan Miranda. Both of them have to play against four Spanish players in the Davis Cup - the most important competition for national teams in men's tennis. Even though the stars of the Spanish team Rafael Nadal and Juan Carlos Ferrero are not playing in Lima, it is not going to be an easy World Cup match for the Peruvians. The Spaniards are the favorites in this competition. The matches will take place in the late afternoon, avoiding the heat that would heavily influence the player's conditions. The head coach of the Peruvian team is very pleased that 2008 is Peru's first appearance among the elite 16 nations. He hopes that his boys will perform well.
PERULINE AT THE THE TOURISM FAIRS IN STUTTGART 12. - 20.01.2008 AND VIENNA, 17.-20.01.2008 As every year, peruline is present at the most important fairs in the German-speaking countries. In Stuttgart at the CMT Holiday Fair from the 12. - 20.01.2008 which will take place at the new venue near the airport, you will find us at the stand of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Lateinamerika ARGE e.V. The booth with the index 6D11 is located in hall 6. In Vienna peruline will participate in the Ferien Messe 2008 from the 17. - 20.01.2008. In those four days you can find us from 10 am on at our stand A0 133 of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Lateinamerika ARGE e.V. in hall A. We would be delighted to welcome you at one of the fairs and introduce
you to the diverse country of Peru and everything that it has to
offer. Also, we are more than happy to facilitate your vacation
arrangements to Peru. We hope to see you there! |
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