Peru has been named South America’s Leading Destination at the 2026 World Travel Awards (WTA), marking the fourth consecutive year the country has received the honor. The award, announced in the regional edition of the global travel industry program, highlights Peru’s natural, cultural, and gastronomic diversity.
The recognition comes as Peru also earned five other regional titles, including a first-ever win as South America’s Leading Nature Destination. That award underscores the country’s extraordinary landscapes and biodiversity, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes mountains and coastal deserts.
Peru was additionally named South America’s Leading Contributor to Sustainable Tourism for the second time, reflecting ongoing efforts to promote responsible travel and preserve natural and cultural heritage. The country also took home South America’s Leading Cultural Destination for the eleventh time, a testament to its rich heritage and diverse cultural expressions.
In another significant win, the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu, located in the Cusco region, was selected as South America’s Leading Tourist Attraction for the ninth time, further cementing its status as one of the continent’s most iconic sites. Meanwhile, Peru was named South America’s Leading Culinary Destination for the thirteenth time, a title that reinforces the global appeal of its gastronomy.
Since 2009, PROMPERÚ, Peru’s Commission for the Promotion of Exports and Tourism, has worked continuously to promote the country’s natural beauty, culture, and cuisine. The agency, a specialized technical body attached to Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR), promotes tourism, exports, and country image internationally. These six awards collectively consolidate Peru’s position as a cultural and culinary reference at the regional level.
The World Travel Awards is a globally recognized brand with several regional editions, including Africa, Asia, Australasia, the Caribbean and Central America, Europe, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, North America, and South America. The recognition matters because it signals to international travelers that Peru remains a top-tier destination, potentially boosting tourism revenue and reinforcing the country’s competitive edge in a crowded regional market. For a nation where tourism is a key economic driver, such accolades can translate into increased visitor numbers, investment, and global visibility.
The awards were announced by NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE, a platform that distributes news releases. The full list of 2026 WTA South America winners reflects a competitive field, but Peru’s repeated wins across multiple categories suggest a consistent and multifaceted appeal that few destinations can match.
