The South Interoceanic Highway, which construction will require US$ 1.6 billion, will be finished in the first quarter of 2011, reported the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC)
"Brazil has already built roads along the border. That means that in 2011 (once the road is completed) both countries will have an great interconnection", said Enrique Cornejo, the minister.
“This road will be a great contribution for all South America, because it will not only communicate Pacific and Atlantic oceans, but also allow commercial and tourism trade” he said.
The minister said that more of 50% from the budget has already been invested in the construction.
This 2,000km highway will cross the Peruvian regions of Arequipa, Ayacucho, Apurimac, Cusco, Madre de Dios, Puno, Moquegua and Tacna.
resource: livinginperu.com
Showing posts with label peru. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peru. Show all posts
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Cusco to present energy and tourism projects at Brazil-Peru Border Summit
Cusco’s governor, Hugo Gonzales Sayan, said that his region will present energy and tourism projects to Brazilian authorities attending Peru- Brazil Border Summit to be held in the city of Rio Branco on April 28.
"We are to promote travel packages to Cusco via the Inter-Oceanic Highway to attract Brazilians entrepreneurs --through Camisea's natural gas-- to invest in a cement plant," Gonzales told Andina.
The summit will be chaired by Peruvian President Alan Garcia Perez and the President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
It will be attended by governors of Ayacucho, Arequipa, Apurimac, Ica, Cusco, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Puno and Tacna, regions linked to the Inter-Oceanic highway, as well as the Brazilian governors of Acre, Rondonia, Mato Grosso and Amazonas.
According to the regional authority, Cusco seeks to stimulate trade exchange of some agricultural products and promote initiatives to take advantage of the Inter-Oceanic Highway, built to accelerate the inter-regional development.
resource: livingperu
"We are to promote travel packages to Cusco via the Inter-Oceanic Highway to attract Brazilians entrepreneurs --through Camisea's natural gas-- to invest in a cement plant," Gonzales told Andina.
The summit will be chaired by Peruvian President Alan Garcia Perez and the President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
It will be attended by governors of Ayacucho, Arequipa, Apurimac, Ica, Cusco, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Puno and Tacna, regions linked to the Inter-Oceanic highway, as well as the Brazilian governors of Acre, Rondonia, Mato Grosso and Amazonas.
According to the regional authority, Cusco seeks to stimulate trade exchange of some agricultural products and promote initiatives to take advantage of the Inter-Oceanic Highway, built to accelerate the inter-regional development.
resource: livingperu
Monday, April 27, 2009
Cusco to present energy and tourism projects at Brazil-Peru Border Summit
Cusco’s governor, Hugo Gonzales Sayan, said that his region will present energy and tourism projects to Brazilian authorities attending Peru- Brazil Border Summit to be held in the city of Rio Branco on April 28.
"We are to promote travel packages to Cusco via the Inter-Oceanic Highway to attract Brazilians entrepreneurs --through Camisea's natural gas-- to invest in a cement plant," Gonzales told Andina.
The summit will be chaired by Peruvian President Alan Garcia Perez and the President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
It will be attended by governors of Ayacucho, Arequipa, Apurimac, Ica, Cusco, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Puno and Tacna, regions linked to the Inter-Oceanic highway, as well as the Brazilian governors of Acre, Rondonia, Mato Grosso and Amazonas.
According to the regional authority, Cusco seeks to stimulate trade exchange of some agricultural products and promote initiatives to take advantage of the Inter-Oceanic Highway, built to accelerate the inter-regional development.
"We are to promote travel packages to Cusco via the Inter-Oceanic Highway to attract Brazilians entrepreneurs --through Camisea's natural gas-- to invest in a cement plant," Gonzales told Andina.
The summit will be chaired by Peruvian President Alan Garcia Perez and the President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
It will be attended by governors of Ayacucho, Arequipa, Apurimac, Ica, Cusco, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Puno and Tacna, regions linked to the Inter-Oceanic highway, as well as the Brazilian governors of Acre, Rondonia, Mato Grosso and Amazonas.
According to the regional authority, Cusco seeks to stimulate trade exchange of some agricultural products and promote initiatives to take advantage of the Inter-Oceanic Highway, built to accelerate the inter-regional development.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Hamilton-Wenham students collect items for high school Peru trip
The Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School Peru trip will take place over April vacation. Forty students and their chaperones will travel to various exciting locations in Peru including Lima, Cuzco (the historic capital of the Inca Empire), Lake Titcaca and Machu Picchu, immersing themselves in the culture and lifestyle of this fascinating country.
Although traveling to Peru will certainly be a vacation, an important part of studying South American culture is exposure to the extreme poverty present in third world countries. Through a student-run outreach program, the high school students will see how the impoverished people of Peru live and have an opportunity to give to those less fortunate than themselves. Donating both recreational and educational items will help show Hamilton-Wenham students the positive and life-changing effects of charity, and be the most fulfilling part of the Peru trip.
Donations have been gathered from all students in the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District. Principals at all grade levels, kindergarten through 12, at Cutler, Buker, Winthrop, Miles River and the Regional High School, have successfully collected items to fill suitcases with age appropriate material for every grade level. Those traveling to Peru will personally travel light, but bring 42 suitcases with them filled with school supplies, clothing, shoes, socks and much more in order to share some of their wealth with children from far away.
For further information, or if you would like to donate materials for the trip, please contact Kevan Sano, Foreign Language Department, Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School.
Resource: wickedlocal.com1.8 million tourists to travel around Peru during Holy Week
At least 1.8 million Peruvian tourists will travel around the country during the long Easter weekend, which begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday, said Peru's Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (Apavit).
Apavit’s president Publio Santander explained that this number includes those who leave their place of residence to travel to other areas during the holidays.
“This number includes people who depart from Lima to places like Canta, Pachacamac, Yauyos, Lunahuana, Barranca and the beach resort of Asia," said Santander.
He mentioned that the southern department of Ica, with the Ballestas Islands and Nazca Lines as its main attractions, is one the most popular destinations for local tourists.
According to Santander, other places people love to visit are Lunahuana in Cañete, Chiclayo, Huaraz, Huancayo and Ayacucho, where tourists can still find accommodation to suit any pocket.
He also explained there are two types of Peruvian tourists, those who travel on their own without a travel agent's assistance, representing 95 percent of the total tourists in Peru.
And tourists who book tickets through travel agencies and arrange a full travel itinerary, accounting for five percent.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Peru: California choir to sing in Cusco
The Arzobishopric of Cusco is organising a Holy Week concert, and the main artists are the members of the San Marino (California) chamber choir, reported Selmira Vera, spokesperson of the archibishopric.
The concert will take place in the San Blas next Tuesday, April 7th, at8:00pm.
The San Marino Chamber Choir is conformed by children and youngsters between 13 and 18 years old, students from california's San Marino School, who are known to perform sacred music with amazing professionalism.
Vera remarked that chis chamber choir has toured many countries around the world, and has also performed at the Vatican City, in Rome.
The concert will take place in the San Blas next Tuesday, April 7th, at8:00pm.
The San Marino Chamber Choir is conformed by children and youngsters between 13 and 18 years old, students from california's San Marino School, who are known to perform sacred music with amazing professionalism.
Vera remarked that chis chamber choir has toured many countries around the world, and has also performed at the Vatican City, in Rome.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Peru: Junin expects to welcome 70,000 tourists in Holy Week.
According to regional president of Junin, Vladimiro Huaroc Portocarrero, that region is expecting to receive 70,000 tourists during the upcoming Holy Week holidays.
The regional director of Tourism, Jose Ramos Alvarez, expressed his confidence in placing Junin as the second tourism destination, pointing out at the efforts made in Lima -with travel agencies, media, and population with relatives living in Junin- to promote Junin's attractions.
In order to protect national and foreign tourists as well as people from Junin, the Territorial Police Directorate VIII (DIRTEPOL) has developed a contingency plan to ensure optimal security -in the nine provinces of this jurisdiction- during the seven days of catholic Holy Week's festivities.
Resource: livinginperu.com
The regional director of Tourism, Jose Ramos Alvarez, expressed his confidence in placing Junin as the second tourism destination, pointing out at the efforts made in Lima -with travel agencies, media, and population with relatives living in Junin- to promote Junin's attractions.
In order to protect national and foreign tourists as well as people from Junin, the Territorial Police Directorate VIII (DIRTEPOL) has developed a contingency plan to ensure optimal security -in the nine provinces of this jurisdiction- during the seven days of catholic Holy Week's festivities.
Resource: livinginperu.com
Peru tourist attractions promoted on Facebook and Youtube
Peru's Export and Tourism Promotion Board (PromPeru) has began to promote various Peruvian attractions online through Facebook, Youtube, Flickr and Twitter, besides offering the opportunity to download promotional videos for Ipods.
In the case of Facebook, Flickr and Twitter, Promperu has introduced information as well as visual content of a group of tourist destinations as a way to attract potential tourists.
"We are introducing a new version of our tourist promotion web site intended fo foreign travelers, which presents a new design and tools for users to interact with other people interested in Peru", said Mara Seminario, Director of Tourism Promotion of PromPeru.
She said PromPeru has signed an agreement with YouTube to have a Branded Channel, specially designed for the promotion of Peru, showing videos under the campaign "Peru, live the legend."
resource: andina
In the case of Facebook, Flickr and Twitter, Promperu has introduced information as well as visual content of a group of tourist destinations as a way to attract potential tourists.
"We are introducing a new version of our tourist promotion web site intended fo foreign travelers, which presents a new design and tools for users to interact with other people interested in Peru", said Mara Seminario, Director of Tourism Promotion of PromPeru.
She said PromPeru has signed an agreement with YouTube to have a Branded Channel, specially designed for the promotion of Peru, showing videos under the campaign "Peru, live the legend."
resource: andina
Ayacucho eyes US$3 million in tourism revenues during Holy Week
Ayacucho, Mar. 26 (ANDINA).- Holy Week celebrations in the Andean city of Ayacucho could generate over US$ 3 million in tourism revenues this year because of increasing tourist arrivals, said Ayacucho governor Ernesto Molina.
"Holy Week generated more than US$ 1.5 million last year and in 2009 we expect there will be over US$ 3 million in revenues,” said Ernesto Molina, who detailed that this year's celebrations will be held from April 3 to 12.
During these days, local people and tourists will participate in religious ceremonies and processions, as well as cultural, artistic and commercial activities.
Molina pointed out that they have prepared a program of activities which include a series of measures to ensure the safety of tourists.
“Holy Week in Ayacucho is the world's second most important event of its kind, after Sevilla in Spain; this religious festival is becoming increasingly popular with thousands of tourists attending it every year,” he noted.
Molina explained that in the last years Ayacucho has usually received over 10,000 visitors, however this year and despite the international crisis, "we expect to attract more than 15,000 tourists".
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Smallest Andean frog discovered in cloud forests of Peru
At 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) in the Andes herpetologists were surprised to discover a frog so small it could sit on a dime with room to spare. Further study showed that this new species, named Noble's pygmy frog, is the smallest frog in the Andean mountain range.
The tiny frog took biologists by surprise since as a general rule species in higher altitudes tend to be larger than similar species in lower regions. Measuring at less than half an inch, the Noble's pygmy frog is not only the smallest frog in the Andes, but one of the smallest vertebrates in the world above 3,000 meters.
Unlike most of her relatives the female Noble's pygmy frog lays eggs that hatch not tadpoles, but actual infant frogs. Instead of laying hundreds of eggs, she lays only two in a moist place, like under moss or the leaf litter. The mother protects the eggs from drying out and hungry insects.
The status of the Noble's pygmy frog population is unknown, however the chytrid fungus that has devastated amphibians globally has also taken its toll in Peru. Herpetologists hope the nature of the ecosystems in the Andes allows endangered frogs places to retreat to avoid the plague.
Male Noble's pygmy frog on index finger.
Female Noble's pygmy frog attending her two eggs.
The frog was discovered in the cloud forests of Manu National Park in Peru. The frog inhabits cloud forest, montane scrub, and the high-elevation grasslands located in the park and the privately-owned Wayqecha Research Station. Ten new frog species have been discovered in these cloud forests in the last two years alone.
The new species is described by Edgar Lehr from the Senckenberg Natural History Collections in Dresden and Swiss-Peruvian ecologist Alessandro Catenazzi from the University of California at Berkeley in the latest issue of the journal Copeia.
Citation: Lehr, E., and A. Catenazzi. 2009. A new species of minute Noblella (Anura: Strabomantidae) from southern Peru: the smallest frog of the Andes. Copeia 2009(1): 148-156.
resource: news.mongabay.com
The tiny frog took biologists by surprise since as a general rule species in higher altitudes tend to be larger than similar species in lower regions. Measuring at less than half an inch, the Noble's pygmy frog is not only the smallest frog in the Andes, but one of the smallest vertebrates in the world above 3,000 meters.
Unlike most of her relatives the female Noble's pygmy frog lays eggs that hatch not tadpoles, but actual infant frogs. Instead of laying hundreds of eggs, she lays only two in a moist place, like under moss or the leaf litter. The mother protects the eggs from drying out and hungry insects.
The status of the Noble's pygmy frog population is unknown, however the chytrid fungus that has devastated amphibians globally has also taken its toll in Peru. Herpetologists hope the nature of the ecosystems in the Andes allows endangered frogs places to retreat to avoid the plague.
Male Noble's pygmy frog on index finger.
Female Noble's pygmy frog attending her two eggs.
The frog was discovered in the cloud forests of Manu National Park in Peru. The frog inhabits cloud forest, montane scrub, and the high-elevation grasslands located in the park and the privately-owned Wayqecha Research Station. Ten new frog species have been discovered in these cloud forests in the last two years alone.
The new species is described by Edgar Lehr from the Senckenberg Natural History Collections in Dresden and Swiss-Peruvian ecologist Alessandro Catenazzi from the University of California at Berkeley in the latest issue of the journal Copeia.
Citation: Lehr, E., and A. Catenazzi. 2009. A new species of minute Noblella (Anura: Strabomantidae) from southern Peru: the smallest frog of the Andes. Copeia 2009(1): 148-156.
resource: news.mongabay.com
Hiking pair off to Peru to help sick babies
Valerie Hadwick is taking part in a tough charity challenge to climb Machu Picchu, in Peru, for charity.
The 54-year-old financial controller will be swapping her computer and ledgers for hiking boots and a backpack in June, together with work pal Rosemary Styles, who is also taking part.
The duo must raise £3,000 each for the medical charity Action Medical Research.
Valerie and Rosemary will be supported by Peruvian Porters and sleep under canvas on the demanding nine-day trip along the Inca Trail.
Valerie, of Locks Meadow, said: "My son thinks I am having a mid-life crisis and my daughter was equally shocked as my idea of 'walking' is usually around a shopping mall in a comfy pair of heels.
"I am very fortunate in having healthy, happy children and so far one beautiful healthy granddaughter."
By leaving their footprints on the Inca Trail, Valerie and Rosemary will help Action Medical Research's Touching Tiny Lives Campaign - a special campaign to help sick and vulnerable babies.
Rosemary said: "We are both passionate about the cause, it is weird how it came about. We both saw the same advert at different times and wanted to do it, but didn't have anyone to do it with.
"It will be challenging but we are looking forward to the task ahead."
To go on the expedition Valerie needs to raise £3,000 which she hopes to do through themed-dinner parties, table top sales, flipping pancakes, raffle and a beetle drive.
Rosemary will also be taking part in sponsored car washes and quiz nights to raise funds.
To find out more about their challenge, or to sponsor them, visit www.action.org.uk/~Valerieh1.resource: www.thisissussex.co.uk
Brazilian tour operators interested to visit Arequipa's tourist attractions
Arequipa, Mar. 20 (ANDINA).- Brazilian tour operators attending Peru Travel Mart (PTM) from April 24 to 26 in Lima are interested in obtaining additional information about tourism opportunities in the city of Arequipa, which is why they announced their participation in the post tour to be held in that southern city.
Alvaro Benavides, vice-president of the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur) who arrived today in Arequipa, said Brazilians expressed their interest to know the Ciudad Blanca (White City) – Arequipa, to be considered a potential tourist center when the construction of Peru-Brazil South Interoceanic Highway is completed.
According to Benavides, 60 of 115 operators attending the PTM are Brazilian entrepreneurs, most of whom will participate in the post tour to Arequipa.
So far, 50 operators, most of them Brazilians, have expressed their interest in participating in the post tour scheduled to Arequipa after attending the PTM. They are expected to travel on April 27 in order to visit its local tourist attractions in two days.
Foreign tourists spend on average US$89 a day in Peru
According to Mincetur figures, most of foreigners’ daily expenses (28%) are used to cover hotel accommodation while 20% is allocated for transport services which include traveling by car, train and bus, among others.
Other expenses include handicrafts purchase with 14%, food (18%), recreational and cultural activities (11%), travel agencies (6%) and other costs (3%).
The main tourist destinations visited by foreigners are the departments of
Meanwhile, the Mincetur report shows that Peruvians spend an average of 324 soles in their trips to different regions across the country, with people from Huancayo and
(ANDINA)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The future of eco-tourism in Peru
With over 30-years experience guiding an ever increasing number of travellers through the ecological delights of Peru, José Koechlin is a world-renowned expert on eco-tourism.
As co-founder of Inkaterra, Mr Koechlin has pioneered a carbon neutral approach to the exploration of Peru's many delights; a practice particularly valuable with the world now facing the growing threat of global warming.
Here he talks to travelbite.co.uk about the many delights of his native Peru, the threats the world faces and offers his opinions on how the global community can best tackle the specter of climate change.
Now over 30-years-old what is it Inkaterra offers guests, especially those from Europe? What is it that sets it apart from its competitors?
For all our visitors, without distinction of origin, Inkaterra offers its guests authentic and unique experiences combining exceptional lodging, properties, nature & cultural activities, as well as 34-years dedicated in conservation, research and social responsibility.
These general concepts have produced specific useful outcomes which prove that ecological research which leads to conservation – carried out by local populations - can be funded by tourism. We have proved that eco-tourism is a means to conserve the primary forest while creating local jobs.
What do you find it is draws people to Peru? Is it city breaks in Lima, or a more environmentally orientated trip, drawing on the history and ruins of the country for example?
What draws people to the diversity of Peru is a very complex mixture of interests combining an extraordinary variety of offers: including both the ancient and modern cultures.
Lima, for example, capital city along the Pacific Ocean, the city of viceroys designated by the Spanish Crown to govern all the Pacific Coast of South America, including Argentine until the Independence in 1821 and now capital of Peru situated along the sea shore; Cusco the Andean Inca Capital of the Empire that covered from Colombia to Argentine, and over which the Spaniards expressed their architecture; In the coastal deserts north of Lima, Chan Chan, the largest the pre-Inca 'adobe' city in the world; the mysterious Nazca Lines only observable from the sky; and the Amazon which covers over 60 per cent of Peru.
There is also the amazing biodiversity (84 life zones with its diverse products; possibility for the Europeans to observe hummingbirds & bromeliads; 10,000 years of plant domestication, like Mesopotamia), pluri-cultural fusion in populations (natives, Asian – Japanese & Chinese, black community, Europeans, cuisine (native & fusion).
Cultural art craft (amazing ceramics, textiles music……); Civilizations with constant new discoveries, (Caral 230 km. north of Lima, a 5,500 years´ old civilisation) are also important.
People come to Peru because of its diversity, expressed in authentic and unique features.
Has demand for your product been falling as a result of the global economic slowdown, or has the unique offering of your organisation insulated you from its impact?
No one is exempt from suffering the counter effects of the current economic, social & financial turndown: results are slightly below 2008. However the quality and uniqueness of the products that Inkaterra offers to high-end travellers in search of authentic experiences limits the negative effects of this crisis.
Inkaterra has a base at the Machu Picchu hotel – from here do you offer tours of the surrounding areas outside of the Inca trail and Machu Picchu? Where do you find tourists want to visit, outside of the 'established' sites?
One of the greatest achievements of Inkaterra at Inkaterra Machu Picchu hotel is to have restored the cloud forest within its property, making it different from all other 'established' sites.
Inkaterra is the only one group that works on the same basis that the Incas did on the environment. Inkaterra researches and restores the cloud forest as to expose what nature was when the Incas built what is now in ruins.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu hotel offers exclusive guided tours within its property – orchid, bird watching, nature, mystic tours, organic tea plantation demonstration, visit to the bear rescue project which inspired the Paddington Bear, specialized orchid and bird watching tours, pay to the earth 'Pachamama' ceremonies and other mystical activities; besides outside the property, Inkaterra proposes individual visits to the sites, as well as accompanied hikes and treks throughout Machu Picchu Park.
Do you find your visitors are environmentally aware, what is it you hope to teach them during a trip with Inkaterra?
It´s a current trend for some visitors to be environmentally aware. Inkaterra has been proposing a philosophy of investigation & conservation funded by tourism for the past 34 years. It´s an opportunity for us to share our commitments and make visitors and locals feel more sensitive to these issues.
How do you achieve your carbon neutral status? Through carbon offsetting? How is this carried out?
At Inkaterra, we strongly believe we all need to change our behaviour as individuals, as countries and as a global community. We all contribute to global warming; thus, everyone needs to be part of the solution. Since 1975, based on a principle of respect for the ecosystem, Inkaterra has been developing conservation programs to preserve the natural characteristics of the Amazon rainforest, which helps prevent global warming.
Inkaterra stewards more than 17,000 hectares of original forest, which have sequestered directly 3,315,000 tons of carbon. This measurement was initiated in 1989 by The University of Leeds (UK), and by the Institute for Earth and Biosphere, professor-specialists Dr. Oliver Philips and Dr. Timothy R. Baker at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, the first site in Peru where carbon fixings were measured.
Furthermore, Inkaterra indirectly fixes more than 12,600 tons/CO2/has/year through its support of a variety of external conservation programs. Inkaterra hotels use clean technology and eco-friendly practices (green operations).
With these programs, Inkaterra has become a truly Carbon-Neutral organization, and every guest at Inkaterra hotels has a 100 per cent carbon neutral stay.
What do you feel are the strongest weapons against climate change? Are you hopeful the global community will be able to tackle the crisis in time?
Nature has a social function which is inherent to the concept of the interaction of all earthly factors. Inkaterra tries to create an economic model that may conserve the forest while providing permanent jobs for local and migrant human populations that would better their quality of life, as also of the flora and fauna as well.
The world needs to continue to update its efforts to mitigate the effects of human presence.
The Kyoto Protocol looked upon promoting reforestation to sequester carbon. Monitoring primary rain forest has shown that conserving it may be a better solution: more carbon tons may be fixed while maintaining its flora and fauna; this is the basis for the concept of paying for avoided deforestation.
Inkaterra presents a further step which is providing value for those who do not only conserve the primary forest but who, in addition to it, provide jobs in the forest with no negative impact to it.
That is eco-tourism: ecological research and conservation funded by tourism.
Inkaterra is proactive in its eco-tourism – using funds to support ecological research with a view to improving the environment – while the majority of organisations merely seek to neutralise their impact…
Human population growth, in terms of numbers and in terms of their better quality of life expectations, means that 'new lands' are to be used. This is impossible to avoid. Thus a compromise has to be achieved by which nature complies with its social function without being changed.
Inkaterra promotes research as to learn about the environment as to use it properly. First action was to define the forest: do inventories. Then expose them to visitors and locals, by documents.
Knowledge allows longstanding actions. Constant actions create a group culture. Inkaterra promotes bettering the quality of life of all populations, humans, flora and fauna alike in an economic self sustainable way
Do you feel this is a logical next step for eco-tourism worldwide, or has it only been possible due to the unique circumstances of Peru?
This is an economic model that hopefully may be presented in Copenhagen later this year as a further step to Kyoto Protocol. The concept is applicable worldwide.
What are the biggest threats to the Amazon rainforest and the Andean cloud forest? Can these threats be conquered?
The biggest threats to the Amazon rainforest and cloud forest reside in the deforestation, the chaotic and uncontrolled increase of negative actions of migrant populations and the introduction of highways.
The big difficulty to regulate these negative impacts is the immensity of humans encroaching into untouched areas, as the Amazon regions, the lack of capacity to enforce law above social forces.
This can only be mitigated by creating alternative ways of providing jobs that do not harm the environment, along with proper education as to allow people who depend on the land as to either use it well or to learn how to work on another environment providing services, as eco-tourism....
It´s a huge task which everyone on earth is part of and must act for.
You are a member of SERNANP, what is the agenda of this organisation? How do you contribute to it?
Yes, I have been designated as one of the four members of the SERNANP Board.
SERNANP is the new Peruvian Government Agency in charge of Parks with over 200,000 km2, four times the size of all the country of Costa Rica. Its purpose is to create a self sustainable Agency with a strong ecotourism work.
Inkaterra is a natural example from which SERNANP may benefit from.
You worked on Burden of Dreams with Werner Herzog? Did you find the role increased awareness of environmental concerns in Peru??
'Burden of Dreams' (1982) was the film shot by California Film maker, Les Blank, which described the untold stories of the making of the film Fitzcarraldo by Werner Herzog, multiple award winning film writer, director and producer.
Before Burden of Dreams, we worked, Werner & I, on 'Aguirre, the Wrath of God' (1972), which was a very strong presentation of Amazonian Peru.
Film making is a good venue to create awareness of a given location. Thus we also worked together in producing Fitzcarraldo (1982), which was my way of honouring a Peruvian geographical hero.
The film was presented to various film festivals, and won, among other prizes, the Best Director award at 1982 Cannes-France Film Festival.
Yes, it´s the last ethnographic film document on the Ashanika native tribe.
What was Herzog like to work with? Can you tell me a little more about the film?
Werner and I have nurtured a true lifelong friendship based on mutual joint efforts amid confusing circumstances.
resource: www.travelbite.co.uk
As co-founder of Inkaterra, Mr Koechlin has pioneered a carbon neutral approach to the exploration of Peru's many delights; a practice particularly valuable with the world now facing the growing threat of global warming.
Here he talks to travelbite.co.uk about the many delights of his native Peru, the threats the world faces and offers his opinions on how the global community can best tackle the specter of climate change.
Now over 30-years-old what is it Inkaterra offers guests, especially those from Europe? What is it that sets it apart from its competitors?
For all our visitors, without distinction of origin, Inkaterra offers its guests authentic and unique experiences combining exceptional lodging, properties, nature & cultural activities, as well as 34-years dedicated in conservation, research and social responsibility.
These general concepts have produced specific useful outcomes which prove that ecological research which leads to conservation – carried out by local populations - can be funded by tourism. We have proved that eco-tourism is a means to conserve the primary forest while creating local jobs.
What do you find it is draws people to Peru? Is it city breaks in Lima, or a more environmentally orientated trip, drawing on the history and ruins of the country for example?
What draws people to the diversity of Peru is a very complex mixture of interests combining an extraordinary variety of offers: including both the ancient and modern cultures.
Lima, for example, capital city along the Pacific Ocean, the city of viceroys designated by the Spanish Crown to govern all the Pacific Coast of South America, including Argentine until the Independence in 1821 and now capital of Peru situated along the sea shore; Cusco the Andean Inca Capital of the Empire that covered from Colombia to Argentine, and over which the Spaniards expressed their architecture; In the coastal deserts north of Lima, Chan Chan, the largest the pre-Inca 'adobe' city in the world; the mysterious Nazca Lines only observable from the sky; and the Amazon which covers over 60 per cent of Peru.
There is also the amazing biodiversity (84 life zones with its diverse products; possibility for the Europeans to observe hummingbirds & bromeliads; 10,000 years of plant domestication, like Mesopotamia), pluri-cultural fusion in populations (natives, Asian – Japanese & Chinese, black community, Europeans, cuisine (native & fusion).
Cultural art craft (amazing ceramics, textiles music……); Civilizations with constant new discoveries, (Caral 230 km. north of Lima, a 5,500 years´ old civilisation) are also important.
People come to Peru because of its diversity, expressed in authentic and unique features.
Has demand for your product been falling as a result of the global economic slowdown, or has the unique offering of your organisation insulated you from its impact?
No one is exempt from suffering the counter effects of the current economic, social & financial turndown: results are slightly below 2008. However the quality and uniqueness of the products that Inkaterra offers to high-end travellers in search of authentic experiences limits the negative effects of this crisis.
Inkaterra has a base at the Machu Picchu hotel – from here do you offer tours of the surrounding areas outside of the Inca trail and Machu Picchu? Where do you find tourists want to visit, outside of the 'established' sites?
One of the greatest achievements of Inkaterra at Inkaterra Machu Picchu hotel is to have restored the cloud forest within its property, making it different from all other 'established' sites.
Inkaterra is the only one group that works on the same basis that the Incas did on the environment. Inkaterra researches and restores the cloud forest as to expose what nature was when the Incas built what is now in ruins.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu hotel offers exclusive guided tours within its property – orchid, bird watching, nature, mystic tours, organic tea plantation demonstration, visit to the bear rescue project which inspired the Paddington Bear, specialized orchid and bird watching tours, pay to the earth 'Pachamama' ceremonies and other mystical activities; besides outside the property, Inkaterra proposes individual visits to the sites, as well as accompanied hikes and treks throughout Machu Picchu Park.
Do you find your visitors are environmentally aware, what is it you hope to teach them during a trip with Inkaterra?
It´s a current trend for some visitors to be environmentally aware. Inkaterra has been proposing a philosophy of investigation & conservation funded by tourism for the past 34 years. It´s an opportunity for us to share our commitments and make visitors and locals feel more sensitive to these issues.
How do you achieve your carbon neutral status? Through carbon offsetting? How is this carried out?
At Inkaterra, we strongly believe we all need to change our behaviour as individuals, as countries and as a global community. We all contribute to global warming; thus, everyone needs to be part of the solution. Since 1975, based on a principle of respect for the ecosystem, Inkaterra has been developing conservation programs to preserve the natural characteristics of the Amazon rainforest, which helps prevent global warming.
Inkaterra stewards more than 17,000 hectares of original forest, which have sequestered directly 3,315,000 tons of carbon. This measurement was initiated in 1989 by The University of Leeds (UK), and by the Institute for Earth and Biosphere, professor-specialists Dr. Oliver Philips and Dr. Timothy R. Baker at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, the first site in Peru where carbon fixings were measured.
Furthermore, Inkaterra indirectly fixes more than 12,600 tons/CO2/has/year through its support of a variety of external conservation programs. Inkaterra hotels use clean technology and eco-friendly practices (green operations).
With these programs, Inkaterra has become a truly Carbon-Neutral organization, and every guest at Inkaterra hotels has a 100 per cent carbon neutral stay.
What do you feel are the strongest weapons against climate change? Are you hopeful the global community will be able to tackle the crisis in time?
Nature has a social function which is inherent to the concept of the interaction of all earthly factors. Inkaterra tries to create an economic model that may conserve the forest while providing permanent jobs for local and migrant human populations that would better their quality of life, as also of the flora and fauna as well.
The world needs to continue to update its efforts to mitigate the effects of human presence.
The Kyoto Protocol looked upon promoting reforestation to sequester carbon. Monitoring primary rain forest has shown that conserving it may be a better solution: more carbon tons may be fixed while maintaining its flora and fauna; this is the basis for the concept of paying for avoided deforestation.
Inkaterra presents a further step which is providing value for those who do not only conserve the primary forest but who, in addition to it, provide jobs in the forest with no negative impact to it.
That is eco-tourism: ecological research and conservation funded by tourism.
Inkaterra is proactive in its eco-tourism – using funds to support ecological research with a view to improving the environment – while the majority of organisations merely seek to neutralise their impact…
Human population growth, in terms of numbers and in terms of their better quality of life expectations, means that 'new lands' are to be used. This is impossible to avoid. Thus a compromise has to be achieved by which nature complies with its social function without being changed.
Inkaterra promotes research as to learn about the environment as to use it properly. First action was to define the forest: do inventories. Then expose them to visitors and locals, by documents.
Knowledge allows longstanding actions. Constant actions create a group culture. Inkaterra promotes bettering the quality of life of all populations, humans, flora and fauna alike in an economic self sustainable way
Do you feel this is a logical next step for eco-tourism worldwide, or has it only been possible due to the unique circumstances of Peru?
This is an economic model that hopefully may be presented in Copenhagen later this year as a further step to Kyoto Protocol. The concept is applicable worldwide.
What are the biggest threats to the Amazon rainforest and the Andean cloud forest? Can these threats be conquered?
The biggest threats to the Amazon rainforest and cloud forest reside in the deforestation, the chaotic and uncontrolled increase of negative actions of migrant populations and the introduction of highways.
The big difficulty to regulate these negative impacts is the immensity of humans encroaching into untouched areas, as the Amazon regions, the lack of capacity to enforce law above social forces.
This can only be mitigated by creating alternative ways of providing jobs that do not harm the environment, along with proper education as to allow people who depend on the land as to either use it well or to learn how to work on another environment providing services, as eco-tourism....
It´s a huge task which everyone on earth is part of and must act for.
You are a member of SERNANP, what is the agenda of this organisation? How do you contribute to it?
Yes, I have been designated as one of the four members of the SERNANP Board.
SERNANP is the new Peruvian Government Agency in charge of Parks with over 200,000 km2, four times the size of all the country of Costa Rica. Its purpose is to create a self sustainable Agency with a strong ecotourism work.
Inkaterra is a natural example from which SERNANP may benefit from.
You worked on Burden of Dreams with Werner Herzog? Did you find the role increased awareness of environmental concerns in Peru??
'Burden of Dreams' (1982) was the film shot by California Film maker, Les Blank, which described the untold stories of the making of the film Fitzcarraldo by Werner Herzog, multiple award winning film writer, director and producer.
Before Burden of Dreams, we worked, Werner & I, on 'Aguirre, the Wrath of God' (1972), which was a very strong presentation of Amazonian Peru.
Film making is a good venue to create awareness of a given location. Thus we also worked together in producing Fitzcarraldo (1982), which was my way of honouring a Peruvian geographical hero.
The film was presented to various film festivals, and won, among other prizes, the Best Director award at 1982 Cannes-France Film Festival.
Yes, it´s the last ethnographic film document on the Ashanika native tribe.
What was Herzog like to work with? Can you tell me a little more about the film?
Werner and I have nurtured a true lifelong friendship based on mutual joint efforts amid confusing circumstances.
resource: www.travelbite.co.uk
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Aznar will meet with the presidents of Peru and Colombia
Madrid, 18 mar (EFE) .- The president of the Foundation for Analysis and Social Studies (FAES), José María Aznar, will begin tomorrow a tour to Lima and Bogota, where he will meet with the presidents of Peru, Alan García, and Colombia, Álvaro Uribe.
During his stay in the two countries, Aznar will meet with local authorities to discuss various topical issues and will receive awards and academic institutions of the state, according to a communique from FAES.
In
Aznar discussed in his address the challenges of democracy in times of crisis and to encourage Congress to "continue on the path to full protection of state institutions and freedom."
The President of FAES will meet on Friday with the Peruvian president, as well as the president of the Partido Popular Cristiano, Lourdes Flores, and the network of alumni of FAES in
On Saturday, Aznar will be inducted doctor 'honoris causa' by the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola and deliver a keynote address entitled "The major reforms to strengthen democracy."
Subsequently, the President of FAES will travel to
The day will culminate with a luncheon at the Palace of the
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