World Travel Awards makes history in Lima, Peru

World Travel Awards, heads for Lima Peru to make history, for this is where the Central and South America Gala ceremony will be held for the first time on July 20th 2013. The glittering red carpet event will take place at the site of the ancient Huaca Pucllana temple, located in the central Miraflores district, in the heart of the city.

World Travel Awards was launched in 1993 to recognise, acknowledge and reward excellence in the global travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, it is regarded worldwide as the highest achievement a travel product or service could hope to receive and the Gala Awards ceremonies are seen as the premier networking events for global tourism and hospitality operators.

José Luis Silva Martinot, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru says: “We celebrate that an event of such importance as the 1st Latin American edition of World Travel Awards will be held in Lima, Peru; we trust this will create a new window for the world’s leaders in the tourism industry, and travellers as well, to see  the diversity offered by our country and region. The chosen venue, the beautiful Huaca Pucllana, in the Miraflores neighborhood will show the world how our past and present live together, and how tourism is becoming key for a brighter future for our country.”

Says Chris Frost, World Travel Awards Vice President, “The significance of holding the World Travel Awards here for the first time cannot be underestimated. Lima is the industrial and financial centre of Peru, and one of the most important financial nodes in Latin America. Today it is home to many national companies and accounts for more than two thirds of Peru's industrial production. Bringing the region’s tourism influencers to Lima and highlighting globally just how much Peru has to offer the visitor, whether for business, for adventure, romance or a family holiday. We can showcase Peru for all it offers through our established and ever expanding World Travel Awards network.”

WTA will showcase Lima as a combined tourist and business hub, witnessed by the links created between the past and the present day and at the most important temples in the city where young archaeologists continue to work on and integrate them into the community.  The process of urbanisation, thanks to the joint efforts of archaeologists and residents, has seen dozens of ancient temples; archaeological sites left untouched and preserved, standing out against the bustling metropolis.

Note to Editors Useful Links South & Central America Ceremony: www.worldtravelawards.com/event80 Mexico & Central America Nominees: www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees/2013/mexico-and-central-america South America Nominees: www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees/2013/south-america Media Centre: www.worldtravelawards.com/media About World Travel Awards Hailed as “The Oscars of the Travel Industry”, World Travel Awards celebrates its’ 20th Anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade, an aims to celebrate those brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence. WTA’s global media partner network includes International Herald Tribune,TV5Monde, CNBC Arabiya, Newsweek, World Travel Channel, Outlook Traveller, Travel & Leisure China, Khaleej Times, Trade Arabia, TTN, Trav Talk India, Publituris, ABTA Magazine, ASTA Network, Breaking Travel News, eTurboNews, Travel Daily News International, Focus on Travel News, Passport Magazine and National Geographic Traveller. This global media partner network has a monthly readership of 1.7 million and a TV audience reach of 90 million. About Huaca Pucllana temple Huaca – In ancient Peru, a “huaca” was the term granted to a river, a tree or a mountain attributed with magical powers if the spot was inhabited by a deity or an ancestor; along the coast the term was given to stepped pyramid-shaped temples. This complex was a ceremonial and administrative centre run by the Lima culture (400 AD), which controlled the Lima Valley. The Huaca Pucllana features an on-site museum and areas of research, conservation and restoration, and cultural promotion. The museum is working to integrate the site into the community starting with schoolchildren, in a bid to create awareness of the importance of Peru's archaeological and natural heritage. It has been successfully integrated into the urban modernity of the City as an archaeological site that can be visited every day. www.Peru.travel For further World Travel Awards press info contact