09/01/2017
Looking back over 2016 there is no doubt that it has been an absolutely incredible year for Inkaterra. As we move into 2017 we’d love to share Inkaterra’s highlights of the past year from hummingbird to spectacled bear sightings and travel awards to a new Virtuoso membership. We can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for Inkaterra.
40th Anniversary
2016 marked Inkaterra’s 40th anniversary of eco-tourism and was a year filled with celebrations across each of our properties, and around the whole world. To mark this memorable year, Inkaterra hosted some exciting initiatives, demonstrating the stories, successes and faces of those who have helped Inkaterra grow and develop into one of the world’s premier sustainable hotel groups.
The 40th celebrations took place in Lima, amidst the picturesque setting of Inkaterra Founder and CEO, Jose Koechlin’s house and garden. Friends and special guests gathered in their hundreds in support of Inkaterra’s commitment to scientific research and conservation and sustainability and to raise a toast to our anniversary.
One of our most memorable offerings was the creation of our ‘Ruby Package’ itinerary which showcased forty celebrated activities, across four of our properties, which included: Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba and Inkaterra La Casona.
Wings of Peru
This year announced an exciting partnership with Green Team Global, Visit Peru, LATAM Airlines, and The Nature Conservancy to raise awareness of bird watching in Peru and created a new and exciting online game, Wings of Peru. Players had the opportunity to uncover our feathery friends hiding all over the Amazon and Andes. We also offered the chance to win an exclusive trip for two to Peru, and witness these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.
Peru is home to more than 1,800 different species of bird, which is nearly 20% of the world’s bird population. Due to this Peru is celebrated for its wide range of biodiversity and is listed as the 3rd country in the world with the largest number of bird species. Inkaterra prides itself in welcoming Bird Watchers from all over the world to flock to Peru to get up close to the world’s most exotic species of birds and gives them an insight into eco-tourism.
Inkaterra’s founder given the Hotel Opportunities Latin America’s Lifetime achievement award
Another fond memory we have of 2016 was the joyous news that Founder and CEO of Inkaterra, José Koechlin, was to receive the Hotel Opportunities Latin America‘s (HOLA) ‘Lifetime Achievement Award 2016.’ This is the first time that HOLA has granted the inaugural ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, and it’s an honour that José’s been chosen to be the first recipient, paving the way for future honourees. We were, and still very much are, extremely proud of José’s achievements as well as his acknowledgment by HOLA.
Acknowledged by HOLA for his leadership in environmentally sound growth practices for the hospitality industry, José’s career continues to be described as “pioneering”. The accolade follows a succession of awards that recognise Mr Koechlin’s contribution to conservation and he will be presented with the award at next year’s HOLA event, hosted by Burba Hotel Network in Miami on 11th-13th May 2016.
Virtuoso Luxury Resorts Membership for Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba
October 2016 brought some more exciting news for the Inkaterra team, with the announcement of Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba having been included in Virtuoso®’s exclusive collection of luxury resorts. This is a prestigious accolade for Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba as the process of selection for the Virtuoso® portfolio is renowned for being extremely exclusive. Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba is the second Inkaterra property to have been selected as part of the Virtuoso® network, joining Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel which has been a member since 2009. Therefore 2016 really marked the recognition of Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba shows that eco-tourism can still be luxurious.
Sightings
2016 was jam packed with exciting and rare sightings from sloths to otters and harpy eagles to lizards. The spotting of the year has to be our little jaguar from November; jaguars are the largest big cats found in South America and the third largest cats in the world. Adult jaguars can weigh between 45 and 113 kilograms. From the top of their nose to the end of their tail, a jaguar can grow up to huge two and a half metres long.
Originally jaguars were found in South America all the way up to the US-Mexican border but now they are rarely seen that far up. Jaguars tend to wander around all alone and they mark their territory with their waste or clawing trees in order to ward off other animals. They are truly magnificent animals and we are so pleased to add them to the ever-growing collection of animals spotted around Inkaterra.
