Sunday May 6, 2012
According to a report by Peru21 on May 3 (Spanish only), the Peruvian government is considering charging a tourist visa fee to all foreign tourists (excluding, presumably, South Americans).
At present, tourists from 99 countries -- primarily in Africa and Asia -- are charged a tourist visa fee. Tourists from North America, Oceania and most of Europe, however, are exempt from fees and can enter Peru on a free Tarjeta Andina de Migración (TAM) tourist card.
Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that the extended visa fee would generate US$1 million per month. The Ministry also stated that the proposed fee of US$30 would not deter people from coming to Peru.
On May 4, Peru21 reported that Luis Villa, general manager of the National Chamber of Tourism, was against the idea. According to Villa, "There would be no problem if we [Peru] received 23 million tourists as Mexico does, but we have yet to reach three million, so we first need to consolidate." He believes that the visa fee would negatively affect the tourism sector.
Would you be happy to pay a US$30 fee to enter Peru? Share your opinion in the comments section below.
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Thursday May 3, 2012
The Perú Mucho Gusto gastronomic fair is, quite literally, a movable feast. Over the past few years, the food and drink festival has appeared in Cusco, Tacna and Tarapoto. The next installment begins tomorrow in Ica (about 185 miles south of Lima), where the three-day food festival will run from May 4 to May 6.
If you're a food fan, it's well worth attending. I went to the last Perú Mucho Gusto event in Tarapoto and was highly impressed with both the organization of the festival and the quality of the food.
The Ica event will feature a number of food stands representing cuisine from various regions of Peru, including Arequipa, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Cusco, Puno, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Tacna and, of course, Ica itself. You'll also find craft stalls, a food and drink market and a few shows.
Entrance to the gastronomic fair costs S/.4.50 (about US$1.70). Don't eat anything before you arrive -- I guarantee you'll struggle to sample even a fraction of all the food on offer.
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Photo © Tony Dunnell (Perú Mucho Gusto in Tarapoto, 2011)
Monday April 30, 2012
There have been some big concerts in Peru this year -- including Fatboy Slim, Elton John and Roxette -- with more major acts confirmed for later in 2012. Yet to be confirmed, however, is the rumored arrival of Madonna.
Madonna has already begun her 2012 World Tour, which will take her to Europe, North America and South America. So far, the South American leg is limited to only five dates (in November and December), with one gig in Colombia, three in Brazil and one in Chile.
Back in January, Peruvian businessman Jorge Ferrand announced he was negotiating a deal to bring Madonna to Peru. The buzz was instant; a Madonna concert would undoubtedly be the gig of the year. Fans had their hopes raised yet again in March when Madonna stated, "I want to go to Peru" on Twitter.
If the concert does materialize, the Material Girl will probably play a standalone gig in Lima in December. For now, however, the concert remains nothing more than a rumor...
Wednesday April 25, 2012
May in Peru begins in relaxed fashion. The first day of the month is Día del Trabajador (Workers' Day), an event observed in many countries and one of a number of national holidays in Peru.
The rest of the month has a distinctly religious feel. May 1 is also the day of the Virgin de Chapi, a major pilgrimage in the Arequipa region. Cusco comes alive with the festivals of Señor de Torrechayoc, Corpus Christi and Qoyllority (or Qoyllur Rit'i), with further celebrations taking place throughout much of the highland region for the Fiesta de las Cruces (Festival of the Crosses).
For music fans, there are two major concerts in Lima. Noel Gallagher will play the Jockey Club on May 11, followed by Julio Iglesias on May 12 (also Jockey Club).
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Photo © Kila (kee-la), flickr.com (Corpus Christi in Cusco)
