The arrival of tourists to southern destinations is almost non-existent due to the social upheaval and roadblocks that are observed in regions such as Ayacucho, Cusco or Puno. However, part of the travelers would be choosing to visit some northern destinations and even eastern Peru.
Cajamarca could be an example of this, since hotel occupancy is almost 100% due to the carnival celebrations, as he told Peru21 the president of the Regional Chamber of Tourism of Cajamarca, Eusebio Díaz.
“Cajamarca has been recovering in a stable way due to the coordinated work between public institutions and private unions. The problems that the country has had in the south have slightly diverted tourism towards Cajamarca. There is a lot of expectation for the carnival. The hotel industry is already 100% sold out (…). We know through GORE Cajamarca and the Association of Hotels and Restaurants that the hotels are already sold out,” he said.
In addition, he announced that it is estimated that up to 10,000 more tourists could arrive than expected, which is why an initiative is being articulated to have lodging houses in order to be able to attend to all visitors.
“It is projected to have at least 20,000 to 30,000 visitors (…) We want visitors to get a good impression of Cajamarca,” said Díaz.
FROM THE EAST TO THE BEACHES
The situation in the San Martin region is also positive, especially in Rioja, where the Riojan Carnival has brought hotel occupancy to 90%according to data from the San Martín Regional Chamber of Tourism.
Ramón Da Cruz Cam, tourism businessman and president of said regional union, explained to Peru21 that tarapoto and especially Rioja have not felt the effect of the social upheaval, blockades and protests, but rather have seen an increase in arrivals. However, he clarifies that it is almost entirely domestic tourists.
“We have international tourism that is practically zero, but we have a segment of national tourism that continues to arrive (…). We have cheap hotels, quite cheap, and that keeps tourism going. In some cases, such as Rioja, on weekends all the hotels are full. They are at 90% (occupancy)”, Da Cruz specified.
A similar situation was observed by Juan Stoessel, general manager of Casa Andina, in San Martín. “I am in the east and I have come with a full plane. If you take a flight to Cusco, it is empty. That’s the difference,” he said.
In addition, he commented that although the northern destinations are in high season, they are also benefiting from what happened in the southern regions.
“There are some points, especially Piura and Tumbes, that are benefiting, little, but they are not affected. Domestic tourism, unable to go south, is traveling north (…). The air flow and hotel occupancy tell us that (tourism in the north) is a little above normal. And that is because the south is closed,” Stoessel assured Peru21.
On the other hand, he commented on Peru21.TV that the situation for the entire tourist circuit in the south is very tough.
“Today this creates a very serious employment problem because the thousands of people who depended on tourism in the south are losing their jobs. Tourism provides thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The entire tourist infrastructure is based on small businesses. 95% of tourism companies are small, ”she remarked.
