Peru approves cable car project to boost tourism in Puno

A new cable car project in Puno, Peru, poised to dramatically increase tourism, has received approval from the Agency for the Promotion of Private Investment (Proinversión). Puno, situated on the shores of the iconic Lake Titicaca, currently receives an average of 7,416 visitors annually. The "Teleférico Cerro Azoguini - Lago Titicaca" project anticipates a surge to over 404,000 visitors in its first year, potentially reaching more than 530,000 annually within two decades.

The cable car will span approximately 2,020 meters, offering a five-and-a-half-minute journey. The departure station will be integrated with the tourist pier on Lake Titicaca, designed sustainably. The arrival station, located at Cerro Azoguini, will feature a modern viewpoint with cultural interpretation and rest areas. The project also includes improvements to pedestrian walkways and vehicle access roads, alongside environmental mitigation measures.

Funded through a public-private partnership with an estimated investment of 236.5 million soles (approximately $70.5 million), the project is projected to be a significant economic driver. Proinversión estimates that the influx of tourists could generate around 45,000 jobs across various sectors, including tourism, transportation, hospitality, gastronomy, commerce, and crafts.

"The Puno Cable Car will be much more than tourist infrastructure; it will be a platform of opportunities for the population," stated Proinversión's executive president, Luis Del Carpio. "More visitors mean more activity for hotels, restaurants, transporters, artisans, merchants, and entrepreneurs."