A new long holiday is near, that of Holy Week (Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 April), and although this is a religious event, many take advantage of those days to do tourism. For the sector, this is one of the most important dates, which is why the general manager of the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur), Carlos Loayza, hopes that last year’s figures can be reached, that is, that they reach S/ 1,800 million.
Among the preferred places to travel are Ayacucho, Cajamarca and Arequipa, although there will also be a commitment to some regions of the central highlands and jungle.
The Canatur representative also explained that the protests that took place between December last year and January 2023 could have an impact on the campaign.
In this sense, he pointed out that there are people who will choose to travel to places that are closer to their homes, in order to avoid any protest or conflict preventing them from returning home on the scheduled date.
RELIGIOUS
Undoubtedly, one of the most demanded places, as indicated above, is Ayacucho. In this area of the country, a festival related to religion and culture is held. For Leonel Soria, former president of the region’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, this year it is expected to receive around 25,000 people and an income of S/30 million is estimated.
“For the people of Ayacucho, Holy Week is one of the most important activities of the year; that is why we hope that there can be dynamism on this date ”, he highlighted.
The expectation they have also responds to the success of the carnivals, so they hope that this will be repeated in religious activity.
“The pandemic hit us and then the same thing happened with the protests, but, since we now have free access to the region, and during carnivals we had a great reception of tourists, we hope that this will be repeated for Easter,” he added.
HOTELS OCCUPANCY
Where there is still mistrust for the result of this festivity in the face of the effect of the demonstrations is in Cusco. John Santos Gonzales, president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services, Tourism and Production of this region, recalled that since January there have been cancellations of reservations as a result of the conflict, and pointed out that this has not yet recovered.
“We anticipate that there will be 20% occupancy in hotels throughout Cusco, when by this date it could reach 90%,” he added.
He also explained that, before the pandemic, the region could receive up to 10,000 visitors per day on the long holiday, but today they estimate that around 1,500 per day enter.
“What hit us a lot with the demonstrations was that several countries recommended not to visit Cusco due to the protests and the insecurity that this generated. Added to this was the fact that some tourists who came on those days were left stranded, ”he added.
