From June 2022 to the end of January, lost revenue amounts to “25 million soles (€5.7 million) per day, just in the tourism sector,” Minister Luis Fernando Elguero told the press.
Peru’s tourism sector has suffered a loss of 5.7 million euros per day in recent months due to the country’s political crisis, the Ministry of Trade and Tourism announced Friday.
From June 2022 to the end of January, lost revenue amounts to “25 million soles (€5.7 million) per day in the tourism sector alone,” Minister Luis Fernando Elguero told the press.
Interim President Dina Bolluarte rules Peru following the removal from office by congressional decision, the arrest and pretrial detention on December 7 of her predecessor Pedro Castillo. The political developments in the Andean state sparked mass mobilizations and riots with at least 46 dead.
The participants in the demonstrations are mainly demanding the resignation of Mrs. Boluarte and the immediate holding of presidential and parliamentary elections. Her term could theoretically last until 2026, when that of Mr. Castillo would be completed, however the head of state wants the elections to be hastened.
Five airports remain closed in the southern part of the country, including the one in Cusco, which is the gateway for visitors to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, the citadel of the Incas, the jewel of Peru’s tourism sector.
Cusco has turned into a ghost town, with most hotels and restaurants closed as they suffer fuel and food shortages caused by road blockades across the country.
Many tourists were stranded for days around Machu Picchu. According to the minister, up to 85% of the travel packages that had been sold had to be cancelled.
President Boluarte said that she now wants the elections to be held in December 2023, so that the country can get out of “the quagmire” where it is.
He emphasized that as soon as the parliament decides to speed up the electoral procedures “we, in the government, will immediately announce these elections”.
“No one has an interest in clinging to power (…) I am not interested in remaining in the presidency. If I am here, I am because I have assumed my constitutional responsibility and we will remain here until the parliament (…) approves the announcement of elections”, he insisted.
RES-EMP
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