Peru: Protests against Tourism Policy

The Peruvian government has recently announced the enactment of new laws which are designed to facilitate investors' access to land and resources for tourism and other purposes. The rights and interests of the Peruvian population and especially local communities are being disregarded and the natural and cultural heritage is at stake, says Rodrigo Ruiz Rubio (Association for the Defence and Development of Kuelap). Major protests have recently taken place against the new policies. In February 2008, thousands of people protested in Cusco against the new "Legislation to promote sustainable development of tourism services in national cultural heritage properties”. At the Peoples' Summit "Alternatives 3” in May, the event "Tourism Policy, Communities and Cultural National Heritage” provided space for representatives of different movements and civil society organizations to discuss alternatives and plan further protests. They decided to organise a national event prior to the official celebration of World Tourism Day in September, which will have its epicenter in Peru.