Transformations of tourism in the Colca Valley – new actors and new patterns of local development

The article presents history and dynamics of tourist movement in the Colca Valley. Analyzing results of field research conducted in 2003 and 2007 the authors describe main changes in the attitudes of local inhabitants and authorities towards tourism and identify their character. Tourist activities based on the Colca Canyon natural attractions, remaining under total control of external tour operators since the eighties and perceived as a burden in the area, are seen now as a possible important factor of local development. New bottom-up initiatives are spreading in the Colca localities supported by NGOs and a public development program. Patterns of more sustainable tourism emerge and local culture is turning into an important element of the Colca tourist product.