Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Claudia Cornejo on Monday announced that Lake Titicaca (in Puno region) and Colca Valley (in Arequipa region) have been granted hierarchy 4 status —the top distinction that a tourism resource can receive in the world— which in Peru only Machu Picchu, Nazca Lines, and
Amazon River have attained.
Thanks to hierarchy 4 status, these destinations are classified as tourism resources of national importance and great significance for the international tourism market, being capable of attracting important flows of visitors —where health conditions allow.
Cornejo explained that the Regional Governments of Arequipa and Puno supported —before the
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur)—the aspects that allowed Colca Valley and the Titicaca National Reserve to receive this hierarchy status.
This was done through the respective management and directorate of foreign trade and tourism, which analyzed various criteria such as distinctive feature, publications, recognitions, state of conservation, flow of visitors, facilities, territorial representation, and accessible tourism.
Lake Titicaca and Colca Valley were granted hierarchy 4 status through Vice-Ministerial Resolution 0005-2021-Mincetur/VMT and Vice-Ministerial Resolution 13-2020-Mincetur/VMT.
Colca Valley (Arequipa)
Colca Valley is part of the Colca and Andagua Volcanoes Geopark, which has been listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
In addition, it is the first recognized global geopark within Peru and the third in South America, as it is part of the Global Geoparks Network.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
According to UNESCO, Lake Titicaca is the largest freshwater lake in South America and the highest of the world's large lakes.
Hierarchy 4 status was specifically granted to the Titicaca National Reserve (RNT), which relies on a 36,180 hectare-extension. It is located on the continental waters of Lake Titicaca, at an average altitude of 3,810 m.a.s.l.
It seeks to conserve Lake Titicaca's wild fauna and flora, support the regional socio-economic development, and maintain communities' cultural traditions.
(END) NDP/SDD/RMB
Published: 5/3/2021