Peru - Strengthening of the Priority Tourism Destination Arequipa-Colca in Peru Project

Overview & Synopsis

Strengthening of the Priority Tourism Destination Arequipa-Colca in Peru Project for Peru has the development objectives of improving the quality of tourism infrastructure and services, enhancing the conditions of natural and cultural heritage sites, and increasing sustainable tourism activity in the Arequipa-Colca corridor. Component 1: Improve the quality of selected tourism attractions and services. Sub-components: Sub-component 1.1 develops and improves public services at priority natural, archaeological, and cultural sites through access roads, visitor centers, restrooms, parking, trails, viewpoints, signage, and site management support at locations such as Mirador de la Cruz del Condor, Fortaleza del Chimpa, Castillos Encantados de Callalli, Ventanas del Colca, Cuevas de Mollepunku, Sibayo, Uyo Uyo, Yanque, Anfiteatro de Occolle, Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, Geiser de Pinchollo, Catarata de Capua, Hornos de Cal, Mirador de Coipata, Patapampa, Chivay, La Calera, and Volcan Nichollson, complemented by community capacity building with a focus on women’s economic participation; Sub-component 1.2 rehabilitates cultural heritage by restoring ten historic churches and temples in the Colca Valley, including structural works, mural conservation, interpretive materials, and operations guidance, integrating energy efficiency and climate resilience. Component 2: Upgrade roads and invest in water, sanitation and health facilities. Sub-components: Sub-component 2.1 improves tertiary roads and urban streets with climate-resilient and road safety features, including AR-683 Chivay to Sibayo, Maca to Lari access to Chimpa, AR-759 to San Juan de Tarucani in the Salinas and Aguada Blanca Reserve, AR-711 near Yura to access attractions such as Catarata de Capua, AR-109 to Geiser de Pinchollo, and walkability and streetscape upgrades in Sibayo and Yanque; Sub-component 2.2 upgrades potable water supply, sewerage, and wastewater treatment in San Juan de Tarucani, Maca, and Yura to improve public health, tourism service quality, and climate adaptation and mitigation benefits; Sub-component 2.3 reconstructs and equips the Yura health clinic for timely care of residents and visitors, and restores the Bosque de Quenua through reforestation and sustainable management to enhance ecosystem services and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Component 3: Transversal Support Activities - Institutional Strengthening. Sub-components: Sub-component 3.1 designs and implements a three-year destination branding, promotion, and marketing plan targeting domestic and international markets with emphasis on digital outreach, media, and trade fairs; Sub-component 3.2 strengthens destination management capacity in the Regional Government of Arequipa through a functional plan for core destination tasks, a tourism information system and observatory for data on demand, supply, jobs, sustainability, and satisfaction, interpretive guidebooks for supported routes, a rapid tourist assistance system for emergencies including climate events, and monitoring and evaluation (M and E) with baseline, midterm, and final evaluations. Component 4: Project implementation unit supports technical, fiduciary, environmental, social, and administrative management to deliver the program to agreed standards and ensure coordination, quality, and compliance.