In this context, Travel2latam spoke with Eddy Aguilar, Meetings Tourism Executive of Promperú, Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Tourism and Investments.
With what expectations have you come here to Fiexpo and what are the activations carried out?
Peru has participated with a 100-meter stand, with 12 companies that are part of our great value chain, two convention bureaus; the Lima Convention Bureau and the Arequipa Convention Bureau.
Our expectations are to reach $2 million in business potential and we seek to deploy our strategy to strengthen the positioning of our country as a tourism destination for meetings and conventions, both in the corporate and associative spheres. We also seek to venture and strengthen our ties to position our country as a potential destination for the development of sporting events from a governmental point of view.
Lately, Peru has of course been an important epicenter so that we can be a reference in the region and we are working so that the entire chain, the bureaus and our Commercial Offices of Peru abroad, can work in an articulated way.
What other regions or destinations are here at the table talking to meeting planners that you can propose to surprise in this case?
Lima has already demonstrated that it has the potential to be leading the rankings and already has all the prestige and background that supports it. Within the decentralization strategy we seek to strengthen destinations like Cusco, which is also of course our architectural jewel, but from the point of master tourism, we are still working hand in hand with the Sacred Valley Bureau to strengthen the offer we have as a MICE destination. This is through locations, unique and memorable experiences. We also seek connection with people through more sustainable events, bringing well-being to the community. The same thing happens with Arequipa, which is a very powerful region. National Geographic has chosen Peru as a potential international destination and the gastronomy criterion was thanks to the contribution that Arequipa gave to this great award, given that they have been innovating and rescuing ancestral techniques in gastronomy, and of course combining this with native products. So, it is because of this uniqueness and comparative advantage that Peru manages to be named by National Geographic.
Arequipa also offers its venues that are part of the strategy that the Ministry of Culture has been carrying out, rescuing churches and venues. And finally there is Iquitos. Iquitos is also a destination that has recently won the World Miles Award, it has acquired a lot of potential and offers trips, incentives, tours, unique experiences, navigations and boats on the Amazon River, which as we know has been named one of the seven Natural Wonders of the world. We have a lot to offer.
What is the planning for this year in terms of number of events?
Without a doubt, this year has been one of reactivation of events. Unfortunately, due to situations exogenous to us, in 2023 we had already planned the reactivation, but due to social issues, the optimal conditions could not be generated for it to happen.
But in 2024 we have started strong, we are working to offer security, connectivity, locations and a varied offer of unique and memorable experiences. We hosted the great APEC event, the APEC World Leaders Summit, and having been chosen again as the venue for the 2017 Pan American Games, has given us support as an ideal destination for meeting tourism.
We have planned around 60 and 70 international events in the country, of course associated and corporate as well. And also Peru, after a long time, is a hub for sporting events. We have five world championships that are being held in Peru in volleyball, athletics, judo and synchronized swimming, which of course also enter the list that puts us in the showcase of world exhibition.
How do you envision 2025 with this background that you mention?
Quite positive. We have been working, reinforcing and betting on other segments that are also developing, such as wedding destinations, and we see that Ecuadorians, our Chilean and Argentine colleagues are looking to get married in Peru, an attractive and exotic destination for weddings. These weddings of course attract people, bring economic benefits to local communities, and of course, benefit the entire value chain.