Understanding what experiential tourism is is key for you if you wish to enjoy a complete and closer cultural experience. This type of tourism allows you to get closer to ancestral ceremonies and much more.
It is worth mentioning that in recent years, this type of tourist activity has gained increasing popularity in Peru and other countries. This activity is quite famous in the Inca country thanks to its extensive culture. If you want to know all the details, we invite you to keep reading this blog.
What is experiential tourism? Why is it so important?
Surely, you are wondering what experiential tourism is, and the answer is quite simple. It is a touristic experience that deeply connects with the culture of local communities.
There are multiple ways of traveling around a country or region. Despite this, this way is perfect if you want to live some time and know about the communities. It’s not just about appreciating the culture; it's about being part of it.
It's important for you to understand the experiential tourism concept and directly impact the community. It is an unusual but beneficial activity not only for you as a traveler, it's also an opportunity for growth for local communities.
One of the greatest benefits of these tourism activities is that they showcase specific places in each region. Thanks to this, there is a significant economic boost and cultural encouragement.
Characteristics of experiential tourism
The best way to understand what experiential tourism is is by reviewing its main characteristics. In this section, join us and go over the most important experiences:
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Authenticity: Superficiality is left aside when doing experiential tourism. Your goal while touring a community is for you to relate to their daily activities. How is this achieved? Simple! You interact with the local inhabitants and participate in their various daily activities.
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Cultural Exchange: When you understand each one around you, you start coexisting. That's when you understand what experiential tourism is. One of the fundamental aspects of this form of tourism is the opportunity to share views and foster respect.
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Participation: This is one of the most significant activities of experiential tourism. Compared to traditional tourism, you can actively participate in community activities. You can participate in multiple specific activities and decide between crafting, agriculture, and more.
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Sustainability: Participants are always encouraged to work collaboratively to preserve the environment.
How can this experience enrich your Life?
Understanding what experiential tourism is and delving into this experience is a unique opportunity to have a profound approach to the region you are visiting. It’s not just about seeing great destinations or bringing back souvenirs. This way of tourism allows you to be part of the community and build ties with its people.
Stepping out of your comfort zone to face something completely new is a great way to grow personally. Many of the activities carried out by local groups are demonstrations of the effort of people working constantly to provide for their families.
In this sense, the interaction helps you develop empathy and view things from a different perspective. On the other hand, it’s a perfect opportunity to learn new skills that could be useful at some point in life. Moreover, you acquire unique memories that will last forever.
Examples of experiential tourism in Peru
If you’ve made it this far wondering what experiential tourism is and what the main activities are, well, there are plenty. Delving into Peru specifically, there’s much to say. Some of the most important activities are listed below:
Participation in daily activities:
One of the main ways you can participate with the Peruvian community is through agricultural activities. Some of the main activities are as follows:
- Animal Care in the local area: In Peru, animals such as llamas and alpacas are highly valued. During the experiential tourism experience, you can help local community members with the care of these animals and, at the same time, learn about their importance to the local culture. If you want to take a walk with alpacas and llamas, ask about our llama and alpaca walking tour.
- Planting and harvesting: One of the fundamental pillars of Peru's economy is related to agriculture. During your stay, you can help families with the collection and planting of corn, potatoes, and more.
Local artistic activities:
Local art in Peru is a must-see attraction for any tourist. The opportunity to be part of these activities is a great way to learn something new and useful for life:
- Local craftwork: One of the main attractions for visitors to Peru is the work of artisans. The good news is that with experiential tourism, you can learn in weaving workshops.
- Pottery: Another strong point of Peru is the artisanal work in pottery. You can also learn a lot about this activity during your participation in artisan tourism.
Festivities and rituals:
Peru has many traditional festivals, celebrations, and rituals that reflect the ancient Inca culture and its mix with other international influences. In addition to participating in daily activities, you can actively engage in these festivities:
- Spiritual rituals: One of the most significant rituals you can’t miss is the Pachamama (Mother Earth) ritual, in which people thank the earth for the fruits obtained from the harvest each year.
- Andean wedding: One of the most sought-after celebrations by tourists in Peru is the Andean wedding. It is a real representation of an Andean wedding celebration organized by a local community, where the tourists are the honored guests and are celebrated just like local couples. If you want to experience this unique moment, at Guru Explorers we can offer you the Andean wedding experience and many more activities.
- Other community celebrations: Depending on the time of year you visit Peru, you will be able to contribute to a community activity where dancing and music are key elements.
Tips for travelers
Now that you know what experiential tourism is, there are some fundamental tips you should know to make the most of this opportunity responsibly. Let’s go over them:
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Inform yourself: Before visiting Peru and any country, it’s important to learn about the customs and rules of each community. Adapt your clothing to participate in activities and rituals.
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Buy from local artisans: If you want to contribute to the local economy, it’s important to purchase goods from the artisans of the community you are visiting. This is vital for supporting local artists’ growth.
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Be kind to the environment: Respect the environment during your trip and avoid leaving waste or doing anything that could harm the ecosystem.
Need help organizing your experience?
Besides understanding what experiential tourism is, you will need proper guidance to prepare for your experience. If you don’t know where to start, at Guru Explorers, you can find everything you need to explore the best of Peru.
Whether you want to engage in experiential tourism or explore Peru's top tourist destinations, this is your best agency. We want to be part of your visit to the Inca country!
Conclusion
Experiential tourism is a unique opportunity for personal growth that you should not miss. Through this experience, you not only discover the beauty of the regions but also integrate with its people. Don’t miss the chance to do something out of the box!