On March 30, 2026, in Lima, Peru took a strategic step by validating a roadmap dedicated to the circular economy in tourism, confirming its ambition to sustainably transform a sector which already represents 2.2% of its gross domestic product, according to Tour Hebdowhile strengthening its international competitiveness and environmental resilience.
Peru: a circular economy strategy to transform tourism
In Peru, the circular economy is gradually becoming a structuring lever for rethinking traditional tourism models, in a context where the authorities seek to reconcile international attractiveness and the preservation of natural resources, while reducing the negative externalities linked to the attendance of sites emblematic. This orientation is based on an officially adopted roadmap, which aims to transform the value chains of the tourism sector by integrating practices of reuse, waste reduction and optimization of resources, according to the agency Andean. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism specifies that “ this transition aims for systemic, fair, efficient and coordinated tourism ».
In this context, Peru also intends to strengthen its international competitiveness by relying on sustainable innovations, particularly in the management of tourist infrastructure and the development of less frequented territories, in order to limit the pressure on major sites such as Machu Picchu. This diversification of destinations responds to a dual imperative: on the one hand, to better distribute tourist flows, and on the other hand, to stimulate local economic development in regions that are still little exploited. At the same time, the circular strategy is part of a global vision of sustainability, where each tourism player is invited to rethink their practices, whether it concerns energy consumption, water management or waste production.
Peru: biodiversity and circular economy at the heart of the tourism model
In a country recognized for its ecological wealth, Peru places biodiversity at the center of its circular economy strategy, seeking to preserve its ecosystems while generating economic value from responsible tourism activities. This approach is based on the idea that growth should no longer be accompanied by an increased exploitation of resources, but rather by an optimization of their use, as underlined by Luis Pavesio, who mentions the need to “ create value without increasing pressure on ecosystems “, reports Environmental News. This orientation marks a break with traditional extractive models, by promoting practices that are more respectful of natural environments.
The numerical objectives demonstrate the scale of this ambition, since the strategy could generate nearly 1,200 million soles, or around 300 million euros, while creating 31,000 sustainable jobs. Furthermore, it targets a potential reduction of 74 million tonnes of CO2, while contributing to the preservation of 2 million hectares of ecosystems, which illustrates the environmental dimension of the project. These indicators reflect a desire to concretely measure the impact of the circular economy on tourism, by integrating performance criteria that go beyond just economic profitability.
Peru: innovation, competitiveness and 2030 horizon for the circular economy
By 2030, Peru aims to become a regional reference in sustainable tourism, by focusing on innovation and the transformation of economic models, in a context where international competition is intensifying. The circular economy appears to be a strategic lever to strengthen the attractiveness of the country, while meeting the growing expectations of travelers in terms of sustainability. This dynamic is based on close coordination between public authorities, tourism businesses and local communities, in order to guarantee coherent implementation of public policies.
From this perspective, the adopted roadmap constitutes a structuring framework, which aims to harmonize growth and sustainability objectives, while promoting the emergence of innovative solutions adapted to local specificities. Peru thus seeks to position itself as a laboratory for the circular economy applied to tourism, by capitalizing on its natural and cultural assets. This gradual transformation of the sector could, ultimately, redefine the standards of tourism in Latin America, while consolidating the country’s place on the international scene.
