The Peruvian Association of Inbound and Domestic Tourism Operators (Apotur) this Sunday asked the Peruvian government cancel the decision to request a visa for Mexicans, announced in reciprocity ahead of a similar measure dictated by the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

“We ask Madam President, Dina Boluarteand Prime Minister (PM) Gustavo Adriansen, please act and take the necessary measures. so that tourism in Peru does not suffer and let us lose all the little progress we have made in integrating our countries,” Apothur said in a statement.

He added that tourism “was part of the speech when introducing a vote of confidence in the cabinet”, it was presented to Congress last Thursday, and for this reason they hope that the proposal “is not a broken promise.”

Peru announced this Saturday that it will introduce Required visa for Mexican citizens who decide to visit their territory, in accordance with the “principle of reciprocity”, following a similar measure taken “unilaterally” by a North American country.

The Foreign Ministry added that “it regrets this decision by Mexico, which undermines efforts to improve bilateral relations and influences the policy commitments made in the Pacific Alliance to promote the free movement of people between both countries.”

In this regard, Apothur stated his “greatest concern with the decision” and argued that while he understands that “it is based on the principle of reciprocity and is a valid option”, he believes that “it may not be the option that best serves the interests” of his country.

In this regard, he indicated that “Peru does not apply this principle to other countries that request visas from Peruvian citizens.” and that this type of decision is aimed “against the resumption of inbound tourism.”

In this regard, he noted that this year Mexico is the fourth country without a border with the largest number of tourists visiting Peru. When it reached 10,763 visitors, they were surpassed only by the United States, Argentina and Spain.

In 2019 The Andean country received 128,829 visitors from Mexico. Thus, the union estimates that a visa requirement could have “an economic impact of approximately $250 million in losses.”

Peruvian media reported this Saturday that the Mexican Ministry of the Interior has officially adopted a measure establishing that from April 20 next year Peruvians wishing to enter their country must present a visa.

You might be interested > Peru introduces visas for Mexicans in response to measures by the Mexican government.

The Mexican Embassy in Lima confirmed on social media. “as of April 20, 2024 “Peruvian citizens will require a visa to enter Mexico for tourism and business purposes.”

Mexico ended this requirement in November 2012. for Peruvians as visitors without permission to carry out paid activities in order to optimize the flow of people and trade.

(according to information from EFE)