The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism announced on April 29 that the upcoming long weekend from Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3 is expected to see around 945,000 domestic tourists traveling across Peru. The ministry estimates an economic impact of approximately US$135 million during this period, mainly benefiting accommodation, transportation, gastronomy, and local commerce sectors.
This anticipated movement would continue the recovery trend in domestic tourism. The projected figures surpass those from the same holiday in 2025 when more than 939,000 trips were recorded with an estimated impact of about US$120 million. José Fernando Reyes Llanos, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, said that Metropolitan Lima remains the main source market for internal tourism. Historically, its residents account for nearly 40 percent of all internal travel during this time.
Travelers are expected to stay an average of three nights with spending close to S/500 per person—similar to last year’s behavior. Preferred destinations include regions such as Ica, Arequipa, Junín, La Libertad, Lambayeque and San Martín. “The main reason for travel will continue to be visiting family and friends,” Reyes Llanos said. “This accounted for over sixty percent of trips during last year’s holiday.” He added that recreation and rest also remain important motivations.
A high proportion of travelers are likely to choose destinations they already know; in the previous year more than seventy percent visited familiar places. This points toward a preference for safe options that are accessible and can be planned quickly. Most people are expected to use interprovincial buses as their primary means of transport and stay with relatives or friends rather than commercial lodging.
According to the official website, the Ministry contributes to cultural progress by fostering sustainable tourism and social inclusion throughout Peru’s communities while focusing on trade facilitation and connectivity initiatives. The Ministry belongs to the Executive Branch with sector-specific autonomy, advancing national strategies through partnerships like PromPerú. It is overseen by Minister Reyes Llanos who directs policies on foreign trade, export growth, community well-being programs,and sustainable development.
Reyes Llanos said these patterns reaffirm internal tourism’s role not only as an economic activity but also as a mechanism for social integration across regions.
