Peru records 5.5% decline in foreign tourist arrivals in second quarter of 2026

Tuesday 08 September 2026 - 08:42

By: Azzat Manal

Peru records 5.5% decline in foreign tourist arrivals in second quarter of 2026

Peru recorded a 5.5% year-on-year decline in foreign visitor arrivals during the second quarter of 2026, according to a report from the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), highlighting continued challenges for the country’s tourism sector.

Between April and June, travelers from Chile represented the largest share of international visitors, accounting for 31.9% of total arrivals. They were followed by visitors from the United States at 14.3%, Ecuador at 8.9%, Colombia at 8.8%, Brazil at 6%, Spain at 5.8%, Panama at 5.2% and Bolivia at 5.1%.

Together, these eight countries accounted for 86% of all foreign visitors entering Peru during the quarter, underlining the strong regional concentration of the country’s international tourism market.

Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport remained the country’s main entry point for foreign travelers, recording 617,666 international arrivals during the period. The Santa Rosa land border crossing, located on Peru’s frontier with Chile, ranked second with 233,050 arrivals.

Outbound travel also declined during the second quarter. A total of 914,504 Peruvian residents traveled abroad between April and June, representing a 1.8% decrease compared with the same period a year earlier.

Tourism remains an important contributor to Peru’s economy, supporting employment, hospitality, transport, restaurants and a wide range of businesses linked to international travel. According to projections from Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, the sector is expected to account for 3.7% of gross domestic product in 2026. While this would remain below its estimated 3.9% contribution before the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has continued to recover and adapt to changing international travel patterns.

Despite the decline in visitor numbers, tourism revenues have shown stronger momentum. Income generated by foreign visitors rose from approximately $4.7 billion in 2019 to $5.3 billion in 2025, indicating that higher visitor spending and changes in tourism demand have helped support the sector’s economic recovery.

The latest figures highlight the mixed performance of Peru’s tourism industry in 2026, with international arrivals facing renewed pressure while tourism revenues continue to demonstrate resilience. Authorities and industry operators are therefore likely to focus on diversifying source markets, strengthening international connectivity and maintaining Peru’s appeal as a destination for travelers from both the Americas and other regions.