Peru's natural protected areas welcomed over 1.8 million tourists in 2016

La Reserva Nacional de Paracas, en Ica, fue una de las áreas naturales protegidas más visitadas durante 2016. ANDINA/Difusión

11:27 | Lima, Feb. 8.

At least 1.8 million tourists visited Peru's various natural protected areas in 2016, State-run National Service of Natural Protected Areas (Sernanp) informed.

Tourist inflow was driven by the good state of preservation of said areas.

According to Sernanp, boosting sustainable tourism becomes one of the best preservation strategies, given its low impact on the environment and multiplier effect on the national economy.

The development of sustainable tourism in these areas drew 1,833,239 travelers in 2016, which reflected a sustained annual growth of 17%.

In this sense, each protected area saw higher arrivals, thus registering an increase of up to 47% in some of them.

For instance, Paracas National Reserve's visitors increased from 223,132 (2015) to 327,952 (2016).

Most demanded places

The most visited natural protected areas in 2016 were: Ballestas Islands, Paracas National Reserve (Ica region); Huascaran National Park (Ancash); Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary (Cusco); Tingo Maria National Park (Huanuco) and Tambopata National Reserve (Madre de Dios), among others.

Investment

Last year alone, the Peruvian Government invested S/28 million (around US$8.54 million) in projects aimed at improving services in various natural protected areas, including Paracas National Reserve and Pomac Forest Historical Sanctuary, among others.

(END) NDP/MAO/JHM/MVB

Published: 2/8/2017

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Peru's natural protected areas welcomed over 1.8 million tourists in 2016

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