MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Tourism, Peru's second export industry

Tourism has become Peru's second-largest source of revenue after mining bringing in some $832 million said President Alejandro Toledo

Speaking at a ceremony held this Tuesday at Lima's National Museum to launch the National Tourism Strategic Plan, Mr. Toledo said that tourism has become more significant than fishing and textile industries.

The president said increased promotion of the Andean nation as a tourist destination was needed and that the plan was designed to further promote development of the industry.

Although development plans are being implemented, "much remains to be done" indicated Mr. Toledo, adding that the strategic plan provides a roadmap for attracting between five and ten million tourists a year by 2015.

"This will have an outstanding impact in employment and infrastructure investment", anticipated President Toledo.

Well over a million tourists are expected to visit Peru by year-end 2004 with some 934,000 having arrived during the first seven months.