Focus on tourism

He tourism It is recognized worldwide as an activity that generates growth and development in countries, even more so in a decentralized way, since it exposes the world to the natural and cultural resources that each region has. Contribute to stimulate savings, obtain fiscal resources, create jobs and improve the well-being of the population. For this activity to take place, it requires the movement of people, travelers, locals and even more foreigners, since without them the wheel does not turn.

Clear proof of the above, we are living at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. In Peru, for example, following the series of restrictions linked to the containment of the virus, two of the economic sectors directly linked to the tourism: i) accommodation and catering; and (ii) travel agencies and tour operators have been heavily affected.

Regarding the first, in 2020 its production fell by 50.2% compared to 2019, with which it fell back to levels prior to 2010; while output in the second was 74.2% lower than in 2019. Likewise, due to less economic activity in both, a reduction in tax collection fell under its own weight. He tourism and hospitality sector generated 47.2% less than what was collected in 2019, thus reaching 2012 levels, while transport generated 26.4% less than in 2019.

Thus, we could list a series of indicators that account for the negative impact triggered by Covid-19, in activities that depended directly on the movement of people and its impact on the tourism sector. However, taking advantage of the justified social discontent of the population, more so in the southern part of the country, groups of people with outdated and failed ideologies continue to violate individual freedoms, sowing terror in the population and discouraging the arrival of local travelers. .and foreigners.

The cessation of activities and the blocking of access to southern cities (Arequipa, Cusco, Ica and Puno) puts around 490,467 jobs at risk; 5,343 accommodation establishments; 3,069 travel and tourism agencies; 10,441 tourist guides; and 3,220 artisans. This situation, which limits the arrival of tourists, translates into a limited or non-existent demand for tourism-related services, which ultimately harms families whose main source of income is this activity.

In this context, and betting on the revival of tourism At the national level, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur)recently launched the “Con Punche Perú Turismo” plan, which includes a series of measures to recover the dynamism of the sector, with an investment that would exceed S/ 500 million.

Measures of financial and tax relief for companies ; improving infrastructure and tourist security; and, strengthening and promoting tourism, are the axes that make up the plan, focused not only on promoting domestic tourism, but also on attracting foreign tourists, and thus recovering the image of Peru as an attractive and safe place in the world.

He MEF and Slimming, Aware that the estimates on the recovery of the tourism sector in our country point to 4 or 5 years, they take the “bull by the horns” and carry out actions on 12 projects in 4 departments for the improvement of infrastructures; as well as in specific improvements in services: migrations, security and attention to tourists, repowering and security of airports, among others.

Betting on tourism is betting on decentralized development. It is a question of generating opportunities for hundreds of thousands of Peruvians who live directly or indirectly from this activity, whose daily life depends heavily on the trafficking of people in their provinces and cities. Focus on tourismit is to ensure a sustainable income, it is to offer opportunities, it is to improve the quality of life of the population.