Peru tourism regains footing after earthquake hits Ica
By Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
 Little
impact on Peruvian tourism after recent earthquake hits regions of Ica and Pisco.
Cusco – Machu Picchu, Puno and other primary destinations in Peru maintain
normal tourism operations.
As citizens slowly pick up the pieces after being hit by a
7.9 earthquake on August 15, 2007, Peruvian officials and local authorities are
hard at work regaining access to roads, clearing rubble from the affected areas
and assisting the many citizens who remain homeless. While work is underway to
help those most affected by the earthquake, tourism officials are hard at work
ensuring that the tourist network is up and running again and smooth transitions
to the impacted regions are being handled. As tourism is Peru’s third largest
foreign exchange earner, tourism officials are taking major steps to insure no
tourists are impacted by the affects of the earthquake.
 I
visited Pisco several years ago and have been eager to go back. Now I am even
more eager to return to the area. I know when a disaster strikes, tourism is
really the industry that is hardest hit.
Fortunately for Peru’s tourism infrastructure, the tragedy
struck in an area which is not considered a hub for Peru’s tourism, however
hotels between Chincha and Pisco were heavily damaged. The good news is that
hotels in the bigger cities of Ica and Nasca were less affected and hotels in
the major tourist centers were not affected. All have running water, electricity
and backup generators. Already today, Ica is hosting 300 participants at the
Hotel Las Dunas for the International Symposium of the Table Grape with no
changes to the event schedule.
 Tourists
affected by the quake were immediately evacuated or rerouted to other
destinations within Peru. Although the region is close to the Nasca Lines, the
lines have not been affected at all. One major concern after the quake was the
state of the road joining Lima and the southern coast, The Carretera
Panamericana Sur. It has been confirmed the road is cleared and transit is
running as it was prior to the tremor. All air service continues as normal and
on schedule.
 Tourism
and Exports Minister, Mercedes Araoz, stated that the areas and citizens most
heavily affected by the earthquake - Ica, Pisco and Chincha - will benefit
greatly by the commitment put forth by local and foreign investors looking to
rebuild the area. Additionally, Araoz is asking potential tourists to consider
visiting the affected region so that tourism dollars can help aid those trying
to rebuild their lives, homes and businesses.
Peru is deeply saddened for the loss of life, loss of homes
and for the citizens affected by this earthquake and wishes to thank the many
people around the world who have shown their solidarity to our country during
this challenging time.
For more information on tourism to Peru please contact
Peru’s tourism Information Center – Iperú, of PromPerú at 011-511-574-8000 or
via email at:
iperu@promperu.gob.pe. The service center is open 24 hours, seven days a
week. If you are traveling from the U.S., please check the US State Department
website for up-to-date travel information to Peru:
http://travel.state.gov.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE JEWISH CARIBBEAN AND SOUTH AMERICA
By Ben G. Frank
A practical, anecdotal, and adventurous journey through historic Jewish
Caribbean and South America including Kosher restaurants, cafes, synagogues, and
museums, plus cultural and heritage sites.
MORE ABOUT PERU FROM TRAVELLADY.COM
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue72/72V-perushopping.htm
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue72/72U-perufood.htm
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue63/63G-inca.htm
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue64/64C-lima.htm
Madelyn Miller is a food and travel writer who loves
Peru—the people, the food and most of all, the shopping.
Read Madelyn’s stories on
www.travellady.com,
www.carladynews.com,
www.chocolateatlas.com,
www.cocktailatlas.com,
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