Peru has experienced an impressive economic growth since 1994. International tourism makes a significant contribution to the development. It became the engine of modernization and poverty reduction. Based on the political and economic context, progress and the major challenges since 1990, the article deals with the development and the economic importance of tourism. The focus is on the analysis of supply and demand, tourism policy, tourism planning and regional disparity. The concentration of

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... vestments and tourists on a few destinations, with the major attractions of Cusco and Machu Picchu which dominate the sector. Peru has so far barely exploited its great tourist potential due to insufficient transport and lack of tourist infrastructure. A focus of development is therefore on the previously low benefit but attractive regions of Peru. A key issue is the evaluation of the implementation of the Strategic Tourism Plan (PENTUR) regarding the sustainable development, diversification, decentralization advertising and marketing.