A delegation from Peru on a tour of Uttarakhand discussed possibilities of mutual cooperation in the field of tourism. The delegation comprising officials and public representatives from Peru held a meet with Uttarakhand Tourism secretary Umakant Panwar and additional secretary, Tourism, Sachin Kurve and discussed the various tourism schemes in the State.
The Mayor of Cusco, luis Florez said that the historical and cultural heritage of India and Peru were somewhat similar. This considerably increases the potential for cooperation between the two nations in the field of tourism. He invited officials from Uttarakhand to visit Cusco during the festival held there in May-June, adding that during their Peru visit, the officials from Uttarakhand would get an idea about the works being undertaken in the tourism sector and the interest of foreign and domestic tourists in Peru. After this tour, delegation from Peru would also visit Uttarakhand to facilitate intellectual and cultural exchange between the Peru and Uttarakhand/India to strengthen the relations between the two nations, said the Cusco Mayor.
Tourism secretary Umakant Panwar informed the Peruvian delegation about the heritage of Uttarakhand and invited the members to once again visit the State to view the natural beauty and religious sites in the State. Panwar informed that the State is famous in India and across the world from the religious point of view for the important shrines situated here.
Earlier, the Peruvian delegation had met the Chief Minister Harish Rawat, cabinet minister Amrita Rawat and Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj. Head of the Peruvian delegation, Cusco Mayor luis Florez stressed on the need to encourage tourism citing the similarities between tourism in Uttarakhand and Peru. The CM said that he would direct the tourism officials of Uttarakhand to encourage tourism from Peru. Tourism advisor SK Sharma, who was part of the Peruvian delegation said that about 32 lakh tourists visit the small town of Cusco in a year. Machu Picchu in Cusco is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world and is a major attraction for tourists from across the world.