Everything you need to know about choosing a safe Peruvian tour company for you and your companions as you travel this magnificent country. See choosing a safe Peruvian Adventure outfitter for more specialized information.
Tourism in Peru is a competitive business. In Cusco alone, over 1,700 companies are competing for your money. However, many of these tourism businesses are illegal. According to figures released by Dircetur, the Regional Board of Trade and Commerce for Cusco, a surprising 37% of these companies are not registered or licensed to provide services to tourists.
Cheap Comes at a Price
Many companies choose to compete on price, especially the unlicensed ones. Price-cutting tactics include insufficient safety standards, unethical labor practices, poor environmental practices, and improper accounting. There were several accidents last year, including three fatalities. Adequate regulation could have avoided these.
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Is Your Peruvian Tour Company Safe?
If you want to travel safely and responsibly in Peru, how do you choose a tour company? Every company will tell you how safe and responsible they are, but how do you know who is telling the truth? Up until now, it has been difficult, but there are several things to look for in a Peruvian tour operator at a minimum:
- A license to offer tourism services issued by Dircetur
- Public liability insurance of at least $1 million USD
- Active membership of APTAE (Association for Adventure and Ecotourism in Peru) and ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association)
- A fair price for the activities offered, not lower than $100 USD for a day trip and not lower than $200 USD per day for trips including overnight camping
New Regulations for Adventure Activities
To make it easier for you to choose a safe company, Peru is going to launch a licensing strategy to cover adventure activities. APTAE has been working with the government to put this in place. They will bring in standards for thirteen activities, including trekking, rafting, mountain biking, and kitesurfing.
“The aim is to raise the level of safety and professionalism across the industry,” said the APTAE president. “By creating a set of minimum standards, we can enable clients to make informed choices.”
Check out: Our Treks into Machu Picchu! The best way to avoid the crowds, with fixed departure reduced price available!
Here at Amazonas Explorer, we are fully licensed for all activities we offer. Contact us for more information about safe peruvian tours, from a reputable company.
By Mark Smith
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