Promperú presents its best to Canadian travel advisors

Advisors and suppliers converged to experience Peruvian hospitality at the Promperú Canada roadshow for an evening of networking and presentations on Tuesday (May 6) that featured a spectacular sunset from the 17th floor of Toronto’s Park Hyatt Hotel.

In attendance were José Carlos Exebio from the Consulate of Peru to Toronto, Marvic Gil, Tourism Specialist at Promperú Canada and the night’s main speaker, Jaime Cárdenas, Director of Promperú Canada, who shared travel insights into the ultra-biodiverse South American nation with a strong focus on environmental sustainability.

“Canada continues to be a priority market for Peru, and we’re thrilled to see such strong interest and enthusiasm from Canadian travel advisors,” said Cardenas. “Events like these allow us to highlight the range of experiences Peru offers, from iconic sites like Machu Picchu to emerging destinations and sustainable travel options that resonate with today’s travellers.”

Peru by the numbers

Tourism represents three per cent of Peru’s GDP, making it the third largest source of foreign exchange, supporting over 1.2 million jobs. 

“We’re presenting our country more aggressively this year,” said Cardenas. “There are special conditions in the market for the products we’re offering which is why we’ve gathered DMCs and tour operators all the way from Peru to speak with their counterparts.”

3.2 million travellers visited Peru in 2024, 1 million short of peak pre-pandemic numbers but still up 29 per cent from the year prior. While the majority of visiting tourists come from France, Spain and Germany, 75,000 Canadians visited in 2024, a 65 per cent boost from 2023, and there’s already been a 12 per cent boost from January to March 2025.

Air Transat’s direct flights to Lima from Toronto and Montreal have been a key factor here. 

Air Canada has been starting to book flights to Peru again, but according to Cardenas, there is a lack of equipment caused by a boom for demand.

He tells us WestJet has also been actively searching for more flight routes. “I told them [WestJet] ‘why don’t you go to Peru? You’re already going to LA, it’s only an eight-hour flight.’ The biggest lift has been coming from the West coast with airlines like Sol from Argentina and Copa from Panama.”

Adventure tour operators like G Adventures have been doing a lot for the country as well. “Peru is one of their most important destinations in South America,” said Cardenas. “Intrepid Travel, newcomers to Peru in the post-pandemic era, have surprised us. They have at three to four staff that specialize in exotic tours.”

Safety

The government of Canada says to “exercise a high degree of caution” in Peru due to crime but Cardenas says the turmoil is not a problem.

“Some people say travelling to Peru is insecure but Lima is a city of 12 million people. Like any big city, there are areas that you shouldn’t go to.  Whatever bad things have happened, it’s in those places.  If you travel alone without a guide, then you might have a bad experience, but in general, travel in Peru is safe,” Cardenas says  

While there have been states of emergency called in the past, these are to protect tourists, says Cardenas.

“These happen in many places in the world with much worse situations than Peru. I think our police/interior department is working hard to control it.”

Feast for the senses 

Peru holds an astounding 87 of 120 different global climates (hard to imagine) allowing nearly any type of flora or fauna to flourish, given the right region with 60% of the country being covered by the Amazon rainforest.

It’s also one of the tenth most biodiverse countries in the world.  Visitors can be amazed by its lush forests known for diverse wildlife and especially birds.  

Peru’s culinary scene is as diverse as its ecosystems, offering different styles and flavours depending on the region. The city of Chiclayo in the north has been hailed as one of the best culinary destinations in the world, and Lima is home to Central, ranked the best restaurant on the globe in 2023.

The restaurant is known for dishes that highlight the country’s biodiversity from sea to sky. Guests at the event even got a taste of the local flavours with appetizers like ceviche, melted queso on grilled peppers, grilled beef skewers, duck croquettes and Peruvian espresso martinis. 

By the end of the evening, Peru’s tourism stakeholders were excited to continue strengthening relationships with Canadian travel professionals.

It’s clear that Canadians are seeking immersive, culturally rich experiences and adventure-filled escapes, making Peru’s diverse landscapes and bucket-list destinations–including Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and Lake Titicaca–more relevant than ever.

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