Tourism chiefs expecting bumper year for Peru holidays

Peru's popularity as a top class adventure holiday destination continues to grow on a daily basis.

While famous sites such as Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail have always been magnets for explorers, more tourists are realising there is so much more to see and do in the South American country.

It is easy to spend a week or two just roaming around the fascinating city of Lima, while it seems more people are finally noticing that the great Amazon River is not just confined to Brazil. The Peruvian Andes also provide a plethora of fantastic hiking opportunities.

With this in mind, it is little wonder that Carlos Canales - head of the National Chamber of Tourism - believes that travellers will spend $3.5 billion (£2.18 billion) in the country this year.

He told Andina that this would represent a rise of two per cent compared with last year and it further emphasises the huge appeal of Peru holidays.