Tingo María National Park in Peru awarded at Green Destinations Story Awards

Tingo Maria National Park was awarded in the ‘thriving communities’ category for its biodiversity, community work and commitment to environmental protection.

The award was received by PROMPERÚ’s executive president, Walter Vizarreta, and PROMPERÚ’s deputy director of inbound tourism promotion, Elva Yañez. It was awarded at the ceremony on the “green stage” of the ITB Berlin 2023 trade fair, in which Peru is participating with a delegation of 22 national companies.

The project “Tingo Maria National Park, conserving its biodiversity and ecosystem services for the benefit of the population”, which describes how the communities and the park administration have identified and developed three actions that allow them to generate economic income and thus improve their quality of life while contributing to the conservation of the park.

Cave of owls, Tingo Maria National Park (PromPeru)

Their initiatives include the protection of butterflies and the production of handicrafts, the breeding of bees for the production of honey and pollen with medicinal properties and their sale in eco-boutiques. Finally, local inputs such as coffee, cocoa, banana, passion fruit, camu camu and lemon are used for the production of artisanal ice cream, thus linking agricultural products to the tourism sector.

In this way, strategic alliances with local people have been made to access quality life and generate income in a sustainable way, mitigating the negative impact on the environment.

Peru, a responsible destination

Tingo María bridge (PromPeru)

Tingo María National Park is located 500 kilometres northeast of Lima, in the Huánuco region. It is one of the oldest protected natural areas in Peru, composed of the Bella Durmiente mountain range, and has developed important strategies for the conservation of its natural resources.

Tourism is an activity that has an important impact on the Peruvian economy, with a multifaceted offer of unique experiences for visitors. Peru seeks to promote responsible tourism, committed to the conservation of the environment and the economic and social development of the country.

The awards

The Green Destination Story Awards recognise the most inspiring initiatives that contribute to the development of sustainable tourism and reward through 6 categories, based on the entries submitted to the annual Green Destinations Top 100 Stories 2022 competition, in which Peru won 9 awards.

The Peruvian destinations considered as part of the top 100 are: Bahuaja Sonene National Park, Manu National Park, Paracas National Reserve, Tingo Maria National Park, Colca Valley, Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Tambopata National Reserve, Pomac Forest Historic Sanctuary and Alto Mayo Tarapoto.

The Pomac Forest Historic Sanctuary in Lambayeque was also nominated for the Green Destination Story Awards in the category of “Governance, Restoration and Recovery”.