Ecotourism is popular and rewarding in Peru. Peru’s astounding variety of climates and eco-systems ranks the country amongst the world’s top eight nations in terms of biodiversity. In Peru one can find 84 of the 104 life zones existing around the planet. The country is home to more than 400 species of mammals, 300 reptiles, 1,700 birds and more than 50,000 plants registered to date.

Tourism is now the largest foreign currency-earner in Peru, affecting the lives of millions of people. While it can bring benefits, these are seldom spread evenly.

The arguments for mass tourism emphasize the economic benefits, yet the evidence suggests that - while ruling elites, landowners, government officials or businessmen might benefit - tourism can make poorer people even worse off - both materially and culturally. It’s only recently, however, that governments, NGOs, communities and environmentalists have begun to wake up to the need for tourism to be developed more responsibly and sustainably.

Common problems caused by mass tourism include environmental destruction, eviction of local people to make way for tourist developments, the commercialization of culture and the lack of local grassroots economic benefit. Andean Travel Web aims to raise general awareness of these problems, as well as bringing specific projects and campaigns to your attention.