AGP Executive Report

Papal Homecoming: Pope Leo XIV begins a 12-day South American tour on Nov. 6, returning to Peru, where he spent two decades as a missionary and became a citizen. The Vatican says he is fit to travel, including to high-altitude Cusco, three weeks after lung surgery. Machu Picchu Access: Peru has introduced a digital platform for tourists to verify ticket validity and updated visiting rules. Train service has also resumed on the Hidroeléctrica–Machu Picchu Pueblo route. Visitor Demand: Peru received 2.53 million international tourists from January to September, while Cajamarca expects 150,000 students on school trips this year. Air Links: Delta’s Salt Lake City–Lima nonstop returns Dec. 1, restoring a direct overnight option for travelers from the Mountain West. Food Tourism: Lima hosted the 2026 World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, drawing global attention to the capital’s culinary scene.

Machu Picchu Access: Visitors can now check ticket validity on the TuBoleto platform using an ID number, booking code or visit date. Updated visitor rules and the resumed train service between Hidroeléctrica and Machu Picchu Pueblo also matter for trip planning. Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV is due in Peru Nov. 11–16, visiting Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa—an itinerary likely to bring added attention and activity to several destinations. Tourism & Connections: Peru welcomed 2.53 million international tourists from January to September. Delta’s Salt Lake City–Lima nonstop returns Dec. 1, while Cusco Airport is scheduled to close for more than seven hours on Nov. 15.

Air Access: Delta’s Salt Lake City–Lima nonstop returns Dec. 1, giving Mountain West travelers a direct overnight route to Peru through January. Machu Picchu: Train services have resumed on the Hidroeléctrica–Machu Picchu Pueblo route after crews cleared a rockfall, with local and tourist trains back on regular schedules. Tourism Demand: Peru welcomed 2.53 million international tourists from January to September 2026, while Cajamarca expects 150,000 students on school trips this year. Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV’s Nov. 6–17 South American tour includes Peru, where he is expected to return to Cusco and Chiclayo, his former home as a missionary and bishop. Vatican officials say he is fit to travel after surgery.

Global Promotion: Peru showcased its destinations at World Travel Market London, which opened Nov. 3, putting the country before one of the travel industry’s biggest international audiences. Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV is set to visit Peru Nov. 6–17, including Cusco and Chiclayo, after the Vatican said he was fit to travel following surgery. Visitor Numbers: Peru received 2.53 million international tourists from January to September 2026, while Cajamarca expects 150,000 students on school trips this year. Trip Planning: Peru has updated its Machu Picchu visiting rules, and Cusco Airport is scheduled to close for more than seven hours on Nov. 15; travelers should check current access and flight details.

Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV is set to begin a 12-day South American tour on Friday, with five days in Peru, including stops in Chiclayo and high-altitude Cusco. The Vatican says he has recovered from lung surgery and needs no extra medical measures. Travel Planning: Peru has updated its rules for visiting Machu Picchu, so check current requirements before travelling. Cusco’s airport is also scheduled to close for more than seven hours on November 15, a key date for visitors planning connections. Church News: Two Peruvian bishops died shortly before the pope’s visit, including Cusco’s Archbishop Richard Daniel Alarcón.

Machu Picchu Access: New rules take effect Jan. 1, 2027: hikers on the Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu routes must enter by 10 a.m. and start descending before noon. Visits will be capped at six and a half hours and five and a half hours, respectively; Gran Caverna will join the official peak-season routes. Papal Visit & Travel Planning: Pope Leo XIV is due in Peru Nov. 11–16, with stops including Chiclayo and Cusco. Cusco Airport is scheduled to close for more than seven hours on Nov. 15, the day of the pope’s visit, so travelers should check flight plans. Beyond the Inca Trail: Chachapoyas offers a quieter archaeological alternative to Cusco, with the cloud-forest fortress of Kuelap among its standout sites.

Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV is due in Peru from Nov. 11–16, including a Nov. 15 stop in Cusco. Two Peruvian bishops, including Cusco Archbishop Richard Daniel Alarcón, died shortly before the visit. Concert Tourism: BTS’s Latin American tour included Lima, where taxi demand soared around its show; the 14 sold-out concerts across five cities drew 853,000 fans overall. Expedition Travel: National Geographic-Lindblad’s 2028–29 program adds a Peru and Galápagos journey linking Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with wildlife-focused island exploration. Travel Alert: Cusco Airport is scheduled to close for more than seven hours on Nov. 15, the day of the pope’s visit. Check flight plans and local updates before travelling.

Pope’s Peru Visit: Pope Leo XIV is due in Peru from Nov. 6–17 as part of an 11-day South American tour. His itinerary includes a visit to Cusco and a high-altitude prayer in the Andes, drawing major attention to travel across the country. Cusco Travel Alert: Cusco Airport is scheduled to close for more than seven hours on Nov. 15; travelers should check their flight plans. Tourism Investment: The government has transferred $2.76 million to improve visitor services at Choquequirao. Food Tourism: The Perú Mucho Gusto gastronomic fair is underway, offering another reason for visitors to explore the country’s cuisine.

Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV’s November 6–17 South America tour includes six days in Peru and a visit to Cusco. The high-profile trip is expected to draw large crowds, so travelers should plan for busy routes and venues. Cusco Flights: Cusco Airport is scheduled to close for more than seven hours on November 15. Check with your airline and confirm connections before traveling. Food Tourism: The Perú Mucho Gusto gastronomic fair begins today, putting Peruvian cuisine in the spotlight. Choquequirao: The government has allocated $2.76 million to improve tourism services at the remote Inca site, supporting access for future visitors. Puno Celebrations: The city’s anniversary festivities include a Lake Titicaca staging of the Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo legend, featuring more than 500 performers.

Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV’s Nov. 6–17 South America tour will include six days in Peru, with Masses and meetings with Indigenous communities, abuse survivors and other groups. Millions are expected across the trip, putting Peru in the global spotlight. Travel Disruption: Cusco Airport is set to close for more than seven hours on Nov. 15; travelers should check flight schedules and allow extra time. Food Tourism: The “Perú Mucho Gusto” gastronomic fair is underway, showcasing the country’s cuisine. Choquequirao Access: The government has allocated $2.76 million to improve tourism services at the remote Inca site. Future Expeditions: National Geographic-Lindblad’s 2028–29 program includes a Peru and Galápagos voyage, with visits to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Tourism Links: Peru and El Salvador signed agreements covering tourism, security, health and judicial cooperation during President Keiko Fujimori’s visit. Travel Alert: Cusco Airport is set to close for more than seven hours on Nov. 15; travelers should check flights and connections. Food & Culture: The Perú Mucho Gusto gastronomic fair begins today, putting Peruvian cuisine in the spotlight. Papal Visit: Pope Leo’s Nov. 6–17 South America trip includes Cusco and six days in Peru, likely bringing crowds and changes around public events. Site Investment: The government transferred $2.76 million to improve tourism services at Choquequirao. Future Expeditions: Lindblad’s 2028–29 Peru and Galápagos itinerary will include Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV is due in Peru Nov. 6–17, with Cusco among his stops. Flights are reported fully booked for the visit, and a Lima Mass is expected to draw up to 1.5 million people; Lambayeque museums are extending their hours. Travel Alert: Cusco Airport is set to close for more than seven hours on Nov. 15, so check schedules before traveling. Food Tourism: The Perú Mucho Gusto gastronomic fair opened this week, showcasing the country’s regional cuisine. Heritage Trips: The government has transferred $2.76 million to improve visitor services at Choquequirao. A 2029 National Geographic-Lindblad itinerary will pair Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with the Galápagos. Amazon Conservation: Junglekeepers says its rangers now protect nearly 160,000 acres in Madre de Dios, where illegal logging and trafficking remain threats.

Food & Festivals: Lima’s free Perú Mucho Gusto fair runs October 30–November 1 on the Costa Verde, with 145 exhibitors showcasing food from all 25 regions. Dishes start at S/15. Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV is recovering well and is set to visit Peru from November 6, including Cusco and Pucallpa. Flights are already fully booked for the visit dates. Travel Alert: Cusco Airport is scheduled to close for more than seven hours on November 15, the day of the pope’s planned Cusco visit. Check flight arrangements before travelling. Tourism Investment: The government has transferred $2.76 million to improve visitor services at Choquequirao, a major archaeological site in the Andes.

Pope’s Peru Visit: Pope Leo XIV is set to visit Cusco in November, bringing global attention to the former Inca capital. Peru reports flights are fully booked for the visit dates, so travelers should plan ahead. New Air Links: Air Canada has resumed Lima–Toronto and Lima–Montreal service, with four weekly flights. Choquequirao Investment: The government has transferred $2.76 million to improve visitor services at the archaeological site, a boost for access to one of Peru’s major Andean attractions. Puno Celebrations: The city is marking its anniversary with a colorful identity parade and a Lake Titicaca performance of the Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo legend, featuring more than 500 performers. Amazon and Galápagos Voyages: National Geographic–Lindblad’s 2028–29 itineraries include a new Peru-and-Galápagos land-and-sea journey in 2029.

Pope’s Peru Visit: Pope Leo XIV’s November trip is expected to draw major crowds: flights for the visit dates are fully booked, Cusco officials anticipate around 130,000 visitors, and Lambayeque museums are extending their hours. The government has also declared non-working days to help manage the visit. Tourism Investment: Peru is putting $2.76 million toward better visitor services at Choquequirao, the remote Inca site. Air Links: Air Canada is restoring Lima–Toronto and Lima–Montreal flights, with four weekly services on each route. Culture & Nature: The “Perú, Mucho Gusto” food fair is on the calendar, while a newly identified orchid in northern Peru’s cloud forests adds another draw for nature-focused travelers.

Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV’s November trip to Peru includes a stop in Cusco, where local officials expect a major welcome. Peru reports flights fully booked for the visit dates, and Lambayeque museums are extending their hours. Choquequirao: The government has transferred $2.76 million to improve visitor services at the archaeological site. Air Links: Air Canada is resuming Lima–Toronto and Lima–Montreal flights, with four weekly frequencies on each route. Food and Culture: The “Perú, Mucho Gusto” gastronomic fair and Lima’s Día de la Canción Criolla celebrations offer visitors a taste of local traditions.