"Thanks to the dual carriageway, we can reach half a million tourists this year. Paracas welcomed 400,000 visitors in 2016, up by 15% compared to [the same period in] 2015," he expressed.
Arrivals outlook
The officer also stated New Year's holidays always represent for Paracas "one of the highest peaks of demand in the year," in terms of tourism services.
In this sense, Jauregui estimated this beach area received 40,000 visitors for year-end holidays.
Holy Week
For Holy Week (April 10-16), Jauregui affirmed Paracas expects to welcome 60,000 visitors, mainly from Lima region.
"We expect the arrival of 60,000 tourists. Last year, we welcomed around 48,000 travelers, and 24,000 in 2015. There is definitely sustainable growth," he said.
Paracas National Reserve
Paracas Reserve is a privileged place on the Peruvian coast for nature tourism, since it hosts a great biological diversity, especially marine-coastal species.
The area is home to nearly 216 species of birds, 36 of mammals, 10 of reptiles, 168 of fish and a large number of invertebrates, which are at the bottom of the trophic chain in this important place.
Vegetation is scarce in this paradisiacal location, but a few coastal hills can be seen on top of the mountains, which serve as habitats for various reptiles, insects, birds and some mammals.
Paracas National Reserve is situated at km 245 of the Panamericana Sur Highway, and can be reached in approximately four hours by car.
(END) SDD/MDV/JHM/MVB