Peru eyes high-value Indian vacationers as arrivals expected to reach 40,000 this year

Trade & Tourism Counsellor of PromPerú, Luis Cabello, spoke with T3 on the sidelines of a recent roadshow in India that saw participation from around 15 Peruvian tourism companies, with many entering the Indian market for the first time. After the recent activations in Delhi and Mumbai, the tier-2 Indian cities are also on the radar as part of the next phase of promotional activities. 

Peru is sharpening its focus on India as a high-potential long-haul market, with arrivals from the country witnessing double-digit growth since the pandemic and expected to reach nearly 40,000 visitors annually in the near term, according to Luis Cabello, Trade & Tourism Counsellor of Peru in India (PromPerú).

Speaking to Travel Trends Today, Cabello highlighted that India is firmly on Peru’s list of priority markets despite the country’s limited global promotional budget. The renewed focus began in 2023, when Peru reactivated its outreach to the Indian travel trade through roadshows, workshops and deeper engagement with tour operators.

“Since restarting our activities after the pandemic, the numbers from India have been growing every year—always in double digits,” Cabello said. Peru recorded approximately 25,000 Indian visitors last year; a number the tourism board expects to grow significantly as awareness of the destination increases.

“For India, 40,000 travellers may be small, but for Peru it is significant. We are looking for quality travellers—people who have time and are willing to invest in meaningful travel experiences,” he added.

Unlike many destinations chasing mass tourism, Peru’s strategy in India is focused on attracting high-end and experiential travellers interested in culture, luxury experiences and unique landscapes. According to Cabello, Indian travellers are particularly drawn to experiences—all areas where Peru has strong offerings.

When asked about the other leading global source markets, Cabello shared that the UK, US, France, Latin America and Spain rank among the top, besides India showing consistent year-on-year growth among the APAC region. 

Trade outreach

To further build awareness and improve product knowledge among Indian travel professionals, Peru has intensified its trade outreach through roadshows, workshops and is also looking at hosting more familiarisation trips.

In fact, Cabello was speaking on the sidelines of a recent roadshow in India that saw participation from around 15 Peruvian tourism companies, with many of them entering the Indian market for the first time. Cabello emphasised that such engagements are crucial in developing long-haul destinations like Peru. Notably, PromPerú, the Tourism Board of Peru, partnered with the Nijhawan Group to enhance tourism from India by organising workshops/ roadshows in Mumbai and New Delhi during February 2026. 

One of the other key initiatives has also been participation in the Peru Travel Mart, where Indian destination management companies were invited to experience the country and meet local tourism suppliers. The tourism board also hosted luxury-focused familiarisation trips, allowing Indian operators to explore high-end hotels, cruises, restaurants and premium experiences across the country.

Further recognising the growing outbound demand from India’s emerging markets, Peru is now looking beyond Delhi and Mumbai to tier-2 Indian cities. Cities such as Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Surat and Kochi are on the radar as part of the next phase of promotional activities, Cabello told T3. 

“We know these cities have travellers looking for new experiences. We plan to start with smaller door-to-door meetings with key agents and then expand to larger roadshows,” he explained, adding that the tourism authority is responding to the demand they are receiving and the spending power of these travellers.

Connectivity a challenge

One of the biggest barriers to growth remains the long distance between India and Peru. However, Cabello noted that connectivity options via Europe and the United States make the journey manageable with a single stop.

He added that improved connectivity could become more feasible once the proposed trade agreement between India and Peru progresses, as increased business exchanges would boost both cargo and passenger traffic.

Peru’s visa policies also make travel easier for Indian tourists. Indian passport holders who already possess valid visas for the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia or Schengen countries can enter Peru without obtaining a separate Peruvian visa. For those applying directly, the visa process is relatively quick. If the documents are in order, the visa can be issued in not more than five working days. 

Beyond Machu Picchu

While Machu Picchu remains Peru’s most iconic attraction, the country is promoting a broader tourism circuit to encourage longer stays.

Travellers visiting Machu Picchu typically explore three interconnected destinations—the historic Cusco city, the Sacred Valley, and the UNESCO-listed citadel itself.

Beyond this, Peru is highlighting several lesser-known attractions. “Among them are the Nazca Lines, mysterious geoglyphs carved into the desert over 2,500 years ago. There are more than 4,000 lines and figures in the Nazca desert. Some are hundreds of metres long, and new ones are still being discovered with drone technology,” Cabello shared.

Other destinations gaining popularity include The Amazon Rainforest, Lake Titicaca which is the world’s highest navigable lake, Arequipa, various cultural heritage sites dating back over 5,000 years of civilisation, among others. Cabello further believes Indian travellers with an interest in ancient civilisations, culture and history will find Peru particularly compelling. The country also appeals to adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers, particularly in the Amazon basin.

MICE, Weddings and Honeymoons emerging

Beyond leisure tourism, Peru is increasingly targeting corporate events, destination weddings and honeymoon travellers. Cabello revealed that Peru has already hosted large Indian corporate groups. “Infosys once brought around 200 delegates to Peru, and they returned fascinated with the destination,” he shared, adding they look forward to inviting more Indian companies. 

Major convention venues in Lima, Cusco and Arequipa are also being promoted to the Indian MICE market. At the same time, Peru is witnessing early interest in Indian destination weddings and honeymoon travel too, particularly among the Indian diaspora in the United States.