Peru, the perfect spot
for mixing business with pleasure
Dossier EIBTM 2015 peru.travel
PERUVIAN HOSPITALITY SERVING CONGRESS AND INCENTIVE TOURISM Peru’s rich history, the hospitality of its people, its awe-inspiring countryside, and some of the world’s most delicious food are just some of the factors by which the country is a racting and bewitching more and more visitors. If we also keep in mind the growing investment in the hospitality industry, proper venues for holding meetings, and professional service offered by tour operators, then what we get is the ideal combination for turning Latin America’s most stable country into the perfect destination for congress and incentive tourism and business travel.
Incentive travel: a reward for a job well done Peru brings together everything you need to create a great destination for incentive travel that companies can use as an award for their outstanding workers: Excellent connection to the world: There are 14 airlines that connect Peru with the rest of the world, and Lima is the hub for two of the most important Latin America airlines: Lan and Taca. The gateway to the country is the Jorge Chavez International Airport, which was named South America’s top terminal in 2009 by Skytrax Research and South America’s Leading Airport by the World Travel Awards for the past three years. After landing, you are only 35 minutes by taxi from the capital. First rate hotels: The number of hotels has significantly risen in Peru over the past few years such that its major cities and tourist destinations are served by a network of modern hotels, some of which belong in the portfolios of the main international chains. Moreover, in the next two years, we expect even more investment in the hospitality sector throughout the entire country by both domestic and foreign hotel companies. A wide variety of activities: In Peru, it is possible to find everything needed for an unforge able thematic meeting. Cities of stone in whose streets echo the myths of ancient empires, museums that preserve ancient artifacts, adventure sports in the midst of sublime natural se ings, superb cuisine, and certainly a never ending menu of options serving incentive tourism. There are, without a doubt, certain places incentive travelers cannot pass up when visiting Peru, namely: Lima, the capital of Peru, is a city that stands above the rest because of its historic and cultural wealth and unparalleled fine food. The historic city center, declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1991, is an obligatory stopping point. There are plenty of high quality museums that exhibit Pre-Hispanic gold and silver relics, and sca ered about the city are churches with impressive collections of art inside. Other districts you want to visit are Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco.
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Ica: Perhaps the most famous site in the department of Ica is the Nasca Lines, a mystery that no one has yet solved and an a raction that can only be fully appreciated from the air. However, Ica is also known for being a bastion of ecology for possessing the Paracas National Reserve and Ballestas Islands, the la er to which you can travel on boats to check out typical coastal animals like sea lions and Humboldt penguins. Arequipa: Known as the White City, it has preserved its Colonial legacy quite well, and you can witness this through its Mixed Baroque churches and mansions as well as its numerous buildings constructed from the white volcanic stone called sillar, which grants the city its bleached appearance. UNESCO inscribed the city on its World Heritage List in 2000. Cusco: One of the most seductive cities in the world, a true delight for the harmony of the historic and cosmopolitan. Sights to check out are its Main Square, arcades, and major landmarks like the Cathedral and the Church of the Compañía de Jesus. If you visit the neighborhood of San Blas, you can see the workshops of famous artisan families, like the Merida y Mendivil, and even shop at the markets for alpaca clothing. There are important destinations outside the city limits, as well, such as the town of Pisac, the Intiwatana (a sundial), and Chinchero, boasting one of the largest outdoor markets in the department of Cusco where you can watch as craftsmen weave impressive articles of clothing using techniques that are hundreds of years old or enjoy the lively bartering that is still employed in the market. Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas is also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. The experience begins with a train ride aboard the Hiram Bingham. You will then reach the archeological site, where it seems that time has stopped among the rocks in this corner of the globe. Another excursion that is the frosting on the cake is the climb to the top of adjacent Mount Wayna Picchu, rewarding you with jaw dropping views of the Incan outpost, making the effort of the climb worthwhile.
Group activities The ideal complement for any incentive trip is the activities. A fun one might be to take the Lima “food route”, where a professional chef guides you through a traditional market, teaches you about different ingredients that you will purchase, and then instruct you on how to make your own cebiche or Pisco Sour (cocktail), as well as impart other well kept secrets from the kitchens of Peru. The day is not complete until you go shopping at some of the interesting popular art and handicraft stores, like the Miraflores Mercado Indio and the Pueblo Libre Mercado Artesanal, great places to find a souvenir to remind you of your stay in Peru. There are jewelry stores specializing in fine metal pieces and located in the Larcomar or Jockey Plaza shopping malls, as well as boutiques in San Isidro, Miraflores, and Surco that sell fine alpaca clothing of exquisite texture.
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Still other options may be a visit to different vineyards near and around Pisco (city in the department of Ica), where the country’s flagship liquor, which has won the world over, was first distilled. The group can learn about how to make this spirit that owes its purity directly to the variety of grape called “quebranta”. Among the traditional vineyards to visit on the Pisco Route, Tacama is far and away the most important. It sprawls on property the Jesuits once own and that still maintains the Spartan architecture of the order. While you are there, you can take a class from an expert bartender who will show you the proper way of sampling pisco or how to make your own Pisco Sour, the most famous cocktail made with this liquor. Another very interesting activity that you can do in the small towns near Cusco is to make prior arrangements with someone in each town so that he/she keeps a key word that, when put together with the others, will form a sentence. The goal is for the group to interact with the townsfolk to form the sentence while experiencing the hospitality of the Cusco residents.
Luxury riverboat cruises Imagine sailing on the mightiest river on the planet onboard a first rate riverboat, a genuine floating, five-star hotel, that will carry you to the birthplace of the Amazon River (where the Ucayali River and Marañon River flow together) as well as to one of the loveliest natural reserves in Peru: Pacaya-Samiria. The experience is made complete with the exquisite food made with top quality ingredients from the Amazon using modern techniques. These luxury riverboats offer you such activities as plant and animal (birds, monkeys, pink dolphins) observation and visits to Amazonian indigenous communities. The cruises are operated by Aqua Expeditions (www.aquaexpeditions.com) and Delfin Amazon Cruises (www.delfinamazoncruises.com). Aqua Expeditions runs two boats up and down the Amazon River, with a total capacity of 56 guests: 24 on the M/V Aqua and 32 on the M/V Aria. Incentive groups can take 1 boat or both at the same time. All services include transfer, excursions, and food, programs for 3, 4, or 7 nights, available during the entire year.
Cities perfect for holding congresses and meetings. The city of Lima has played host to incredibly important international summits, like the 2008 European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean Summit and the 2010 General Assembly - Organization of American States, and even such world class sporting events as the 2012 and 2013 Dakar Rally.
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For five years running, the famous Mistura food fair, the largest of its kind with an a endance of more than 500,000 people, has been held in the capital. In the same vein, major meetings with different nations have also been conducted here, like the ASPA (Summit of South American-Arab Countries) and the WEF (World Economic Forum on Latin America Annual Meeting); moreover, already on the books are large events, such as the 2015 Annual Meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the Regional Conference of the Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean (ECLAC), and the 2016 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. In keeping with this trend, the Peru Export and Tourism Promotion Board (PromPeru) was chosen above such other countries as Brazil and Chile to be the host of the 2014 and 2016 FIEXPO Latin America, the Meetings, Exhibitions, Incentives and Events Market international trade fairs. FIEXPO Latin America promotes the hospitality and service industries in South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico, and more than 80 MICE segment buyers will be participating. As for the hotels where one can host congresses and meetings in Lima, the following list highlights the best options: • The JW Marriott Lima Hotel boasts a variety of meeting rooms, some facing the ocean, and can host more than 1000 people. In terms of service, it was recently chosen as the best in the entire chain worldwide. It is also in an ideal location in the city. •
Los Delfines Lima has a capacity of up to 1200 people, in total.
• The Miraflores Park Plaza, part of the Orient Express chain of hotels, possesses seven rooms to satisfy different needs. • The Sheraton Lima Hotel & Convention Center just won the World Travel Award as South America's Leading Meetings & Conference Centre. It has a capacity for 1500 people. •
There is also the Westin Hotel & Convention Center with a capacity of 2000 people.
• Two other options include the Hotel El Pueblo, just 40 minutes from downtown Lima, designed to mimic a typical Andean town, and has meeting space for more than 500, as well as the Hotel Hilton Lima Miraflores.
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Other convention centers in the area are: 1) The Royal Felipe Fort in Callao. It was built back in the 17th century and has a capacity for 1700 people. 2) The headquarters of the Peruvian army, known as the El Pentagonito (Li le Pentagon), has room for 1500 and was used for some of the most important meetings held at various summits during 2008. 3) The Goyeneche House, an old French style mansion in downtown Lima has room for 200 people and serves wonderfully as a site for business meetings. 4) The Jockey Club of Peru (horse track) has plenty of open space that has been adapted to all types of events, like Lima Fashion Week or concerts. The city of Arequipa is also a promising venue for meetings since it has been preparing itself to become the next Peruvian Mecca for conventions and congresses. On account of investment in the sector and the work of the city’s Conventions Bureau, hotels and services in the city have grown considerably in the last few years. Topping the list of conference centers in Arequipa is Cerro Juli, actually the largest meeting hall in Peru with a capacity of 2400 people and offering all the amenities. Two other centers are the Hotel Libertador Arequipa, with a capacity of 600 and exclusive services, and the Mansion del Fundador (Founder’s Mansion), a luxurious se ing for thematic meetings that can hold up to 300 people.
Number of available guest rooms per city: 4 star
5 star
City
Number of Hotels
Number of guest rooms
Number of beds
Number of hotels
Number of guest rooms
Number of beds
Lima
25
1935
3582
18
2549
4597
Cusco
5
450
886
8
939
1795
Arequipa
4
154
299
3
177
326
La Libertad
2
131
270
1
27
49
Puno
6
369
696
1
123
231
Callao
1
130
262
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-
-
Recommended hotels •
Hilton – opened in December 2012 – Miraflores, Lima.
The Hilton Lima Miraflores is the Hilton Worldwide’s first managed hotel in Peru and its flagship brand's first Hilton Hotels & Resorts hotel in the country.
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Located 18 kilometers from the international airport in an upscale area of Lima known for its parks, fine dining, and shopping. Featuring 207 rooms, including 44 executive rooms, 17 suites, and a presidential suite, the 11-story Hilton Lima Miraflores consistently reflects a sophisticated, modern décor infused with Peruvian elements. The hotel provides a great base for events and business travelers, with more than 1115 square meters of meeting space including nine meeting rooms, a business center, and a nearly 344 square meter ballroom that will accommodate 430 people. •
Aranwa Colca – opened in March 2013 – Colca, Arequipa.
Aranwa Hotels Resorts & Spa is located in the Colca Valley, three hours from the city of Arequipa and 10 minutes from the town of Chivay. Its 41 guestrooms are divided among three categories: 32 are luxury rooms, 3 are suites, and 6 are chalets. All rooms come with breathtaking views of the mountains and natural valley se ing. The hotel has a chapel with seating for 100 people and a restaurant with a privileged view of a fish farm just off its property. On the second floor, there is the Lounge Bar where you can spend a relaxing evening with friends. •
Hotel B – opened in April 2013- Barranco, Lima.
An arts boutique hotel in the heart of Barranco, a renovated Bohemian district, housing a unique art collection of its own, Hotel B is surrounded by neighboring galleries and linked directly to the Lucia de la Puente Gallery, which provides guests with opportunities for private viewings, special events and a connection to Lima’s blossoming art scene. Hotel B has 17 guest rooms outfi ed with all modern amenities. Ten of them are original room that were restored, maintaining the traditional spirit of this magnificent house, while the other seven are located in the hotel annex. There are three guest room categories, based on size and configuration: 5 Atelier, measuring between 26 and 42 square meters, 10 Chamber, measuring between 22 and 36 square meters, and 2 Studio, measuring 19 square meters.
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•
Hotel Palacio del Inka – opened in August 2013- Cusco.
The historic Palacio del Inka, in the heart of Cusco, sits across from the preserved Incan ruins of the Qoricancha, or Temple of the Sun. The original building on this plot was constructed by the Incas at the beginning of the 15th century, but after the Conquest, it was handed over to the family of one of the Spanish Conquistadors who lived there during the 16th century. Today, it still retains a striking Spanish Colonial façade and is a genuine reflection of the culture, architecture, and different, lively designs in Cusco. The hotel has 203 lavishly decorated guest rooms, as well as 17 suites located in the Cuatro Bustos House. Some of the old Incan walls are used in the structure, and its interior design, paintings, and furniture bring to mind Peru’s Colonial past. There are also 5 meeting/event rooms with a capacity for 300 people. Each one has been meticulously restored by local artisans, recovering, thusly, the original ceilings with tints of sand and silver. This Libertador hotel is now part of the Luxury Collection Brand, as are two other Libertador hotels: Tambo del Inka and Hotel Paracas). •
Dazzler Hotel – Opened in August 2013
The Argentine hotel chain, Fen, has made its first entrance into the Peruvian market with the opening of the Dazzler Lima on August 12, 2013. It’s a four star hotel aimed at business travelers. There are 140 rooms, 28 of which are suites, 28 triples, and the others single and doubles. It boasts a covered swimming pool, gym, sauna, and three boardrooms for 8, 10, and 12 people, respectively. The event room can be configured for cocktail parties, with a capacity for 180 people, or as an auditorium, with space for 110 people.
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5 Reasons to Pick Peru To help you plan and organize an event or travel incentive, here are five reasons that are sure to tip the balance in favor of our country: 1. A Country with Its Eyes on the Future With an economy that has led the Latin American boom of recent years, Peru never ceases to surprise the world with its strengths. Open to the world: Peru has signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with the greatest powers in the world, including the United States, the European Union, and China. It is one of the best countries to do business in, according to the World Bank’s Doing Business Report. 2. Close to Everyone The strategic location of Peru, and particularly the city of Lima, makes our country the best choice for your next event. Non-stop flights from the world’s most important cities arrive at Jorge Chávez International Airport, the region’s main hub. The airport is considered one of the best in South America, offering connecting flights to the country’s top tourist destinations. 3. With Arms Wide Open Three cities, all declared World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO, and a seaside resort situated alongside a protected natural area, combine modernity and first-class infrastructure with historical wealth Lima Built on the foundations of its Pre-Hispanic and Colonial past, Peru’s capital is now in the prime of its life in this new millennium. Paracas The desert on the seashore, in the department of Ica, a few short hours from Lima. Incredible landscapes, fauna in its natural habitat, and, of course, lots of history
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Arequipa The city’s gorgeous historic center is a jewel of Colonial architecture, earning it a place as a World Heritage site. Cusco The capital of the Incas, where former royal palaces have been renovated into hotels, Cusco is also a dynamic and cosmopolitan city. 4. World-Class Cuisine Peru is the Western Hemisphere’s premier culinary destination. Our cultural heritage and geographic variety have made us experts in offering a range of delicacies. •Recipes that date back centuries, now adapted to the innovative offerings of fusion cuisine. •The chance to enjoy fruits and vegetables harvested that very same day, along with the freshest of seafood. Peru is also a leader in organic farming techniques. •Peru is the birthplace of pisco, the distilled grape brandy that tastes great on its own or in a dazzling array of cocktails
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NEW CONVENTION CENTER IN LIMA The Lima Convention Center opened in October when thousands of a endees from 184 countries meet for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund meeting to discuss issues related to the fight against poverty and international economic development and finance. Measuring 262,500 square feet, the building stands ten floors tall and will position Peru as a top destination for international events. Capacity: 9,950 people (18 conference rooms, two restaurants and one bar) Parking spaces: 945, distributed in 4 levels. The air conditioning system will provide each conference room temperatures independently adjustable and will allow 10,000 simultaneous Wi-Fi connections.
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