With direct flights between Canada and Peru set to take off in December, the prospect of a Peruvian adventure is as effortless and enticing as it's ever been. PromPeru Canada seized this moment by hosting a media event on 17OCT to pull Peru into the spotlight and showcase its diverse offerings over Pisco sours.
"We are here to foster a connection and help you discover the wonders that Peru has to offer travellers. This is an opportunity to connect with the team and learn what is new in Peru," said Jaime Cardenas, Director, PromPeru Canada. "Peru is a land of breathtaking beauty and rich heritage. It's a destination that truly captures the essence of exploration and adventure, a country that is like no other, truly. With its stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and history that dates back thousands of years, it's a place where ancient traditions merge seamlessly with modernity."
Pre-pandemic, Canada was an important source market for international visitation to Peru, Cardenas told Open Jaw. Visitor numbers haven't fully rebounded to those levels, which is why PromPeru is back with a drive to be top-of-mind for the Canadian traveller.
"We are trying to prioritize the Canadian market as a place to increase resources to gain a stable tourism," he told Open Jaw.
The new non-stop flights with Transat from YYZ and direct flights from YUL, which you can read more about below, is a huge boost to this endeavour.
Travel advisors can access training resources, destination information, on demand webinars, destination updates, and more at PromPeru's agent hub.
A Land of Contrasts and Surprises
Think Peru, think Machu Picchu? Time to think again. While the stunning Inca citadel perched high in the Andean mountains is a must-see, Peru is so much more than this iconic archaeological wonder, noted Cardenas.
"Peru is a land of contrasts and surprises," he said, not only in its natural beauty and history, but its warm and welcoming people.
From the volcanic peaks of Arequipa to the cosmopolitan capital of Lima and all the authentic experiences in between, Peru serves up a tantalizing menu of adventures that resonate with travellers from all walks of life. Speaking of tantalizing menus, Lima's Central restaurant was crowned World's Best Restaurant 2023 (and three more Lima restaurants made the list).
Although Peru offers experiences for many travel styles and budgets, the tourism board's core target market from Canada is medium- to high-budget travellers, Cardenas told Open Jaw.
Transat Flights Kick Off in DEC
There hasn't been a direct flight between Canada and Peru since before the pandemic - but that's about to change with Transat.
Direct flights from Toronto and Montreal to Lima, Peru will begin in DEC with Transat, making the airline the only direct connection between the two destinations, highlighted Jhadyd Gonzalez, National Sales Manager, Air Transat. The company is set to offer all-inclusive packages with select hotel partners in Lima, alongside à la carte options in Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Urubamba, and Puno. Excursions across various Peruvian regions will also be available.
According to a statement from Transat: “We offer year-round non-stop flights from both Montreal and Toronto (we use direct and non-stop interchangeably). The YUL flight does not connect through YYZ.
Starting December, flights from Toronto will be offered twice weekly, while flights from Montreal will be offered once weekly.”
Twice weekly service between YYZ-LIM begins 20DEC and weekly between YUL-LIM starts 21DEC. Both routes are scheduled to run until summer 2024. Flights are scheduled to depart Canada in the evening and arrive in Peru in the morning, which Gonzalez noted is a favoured timetable among travellers.
The route will be serviced by an Airbus A321LR aircraft, which Gonzales lauded as being one of the most energy-efficient, comfortable, and convenient aircraft models, featuring individual USB ports, state-of-the-art entertainment features, and electrical outlets at every seat.
Another highlight of Transat's Peru service is that it's all-inclusive, meaning that guests receive two complimentary food services during the flight - a snack, a hot meal, and a choice of red or white wine.
"These new connections are making it even easier for travellers to experience all that Peru has to offer," Cardenas said.
Small-Group Tours, Big-Time Adventures
Tour operator partners from G Adventures, Collette, Intrepid, TTC, and Goway Travel were on hand to share their Peru offerings.
Open Jaw caught up with several representatives to hear: What are Peru's unique selling points?
Intrepid Travel's Tom Smith, VP Sales & Marketing, North America, noted Canadians' love for the outdoors and the variety of ways Peru is perfectly positioned to cater to these motivations. From rafting to surfing to rainforest adventuring, there are plenty of uniquely Peruvian experiences that feed into this passion for nature and the outdoors. He also noted Peru's rich culinary offering (did you know potatoes originally came from Peru?) and the similarities between the two nations.
"There are similarities in how accepting the vibe is and the diversity," he told Open Jaw. "It's an easy place to feel welcome."
Intrepid's small-group tours to Peru emphasize the local experience and immersive exploration.
Smith's quick tip: Visit Peru during its winter, the dry season (June to September) - although temperatures are cooler, clear blue skies provide the perfect backdrop for sightseeing and exploring.
For Collette's Brett Walker, General Manager & International Business Operations, travel to Peru is remarkable all on its own, but joining a small group tour elevates the experience to new heights.
"It's accessible, it's in the same time zone [for travellers out of YYZ and YUL], it's relatively easy to get to, and the people are amazing. It has the food, the Indigenous culture, the history," Walker said. "To me, the real benefit of a guided tour to Peru and anywhere is the people you travel with. The stories they tell, you can't get when travelling independently. You can, but you have to really go looking for them."
Peru is part of Collette's Small Group Exploration product. Travel advisors can frame the small-group travel experience for their clients by asking, "How would you like to travel as if you're travelling with your extended family in a small group of 12 to 18 people? Because by the end of the tour, you'll be like family."
