Recognized as one of Travel + Leisure’s 500 Favorite Hotels and Resorts in the World, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is a pioneering example of regenerative tourism. Originally, its grounds were used for cattle grazing and as a tea plantation. In 1976, Inkaterra began restoring the cycle of life in the Machu Picchu cloud forest through the research for reforestation of native flora, including orchids ferns, bromeliads, and native trees such as the queñual and pisonay. Today, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel’s lush gardens are home to up to 111 butterfly species and the largest collection of native orchids in their habitat, with 372 species, as published by the American Orchid Society. Additionally, the organic black tea produced on the hotel grounds won the gold medal at the “2023 Annual Teas of the World Awards” in Paris, France.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird app now records up to 307 bird species within the urban grounds of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, affirming its status as one of the most biodiversity-rich urban hotspots in the world. Inkaterra Asociación celebrated this achievement on Instagram with a video by wildlife photographer Steve Sánchez, featuring a male thick-billed euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris), known for its dark blue-black upperparts and bright yellow crown patch.

eBird is one of the world’s largest biodiversity-related science projects, with more than 100 million bird sightings contributed annually by eBirders around the globe. It documents bird distribution, abundance, habitat use, and trends through checklist data collected within a simple, scientific framework.

Located at the foot of one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel comprises 83 whitewashed villas nestled in the cloud forest, surrounded by stone pathways, terraces, and waterfalls. The hotel’s world-class restaurant offers guests the delights of Andean cuisine, while Unu Spa (“unu” meaning water in Quechua) provides a spiritual experience with 100% natural botanical extracts, freshwater ponds, and a candle-lit Andean sauna.

With a readership of over 1 million industry leaders in 195 countries, Travel and Tour World magazine offers in-depth coverage and exclusive insights tailored to the unique needs and interests of the travel industry. In its extensive article “Innovating Sustainability,” TTW highlights Inkaterra’s leadership in sustainable hospitality over the past 50 years, blending luxury with environmental conservation to set new standards in eco-tourism and nature preservation.

“Inkaterra was established in 1975 by José Koechlin von Stein, born from a vision to preserve Peru’s stunning diversity and inspire a passion for the region among travelers... From the beginning, the goal was to combine tourism with conservation, thereby creating positive environmental and social outcomes,” states TTW about Inkaterra, winner of Travel + Leisure’s 2020 Global Vision Award and recognized by the United Nations as the first Climate Positive hotel brand in the world.

TTW also explores various initiatives led by Inkaterra, emphasizing its commitment to preserving ecosystems and cultural heritage within its areas of influence. One notable example is Machu Picchu’s renewed certification as the First Carbon Neutral Wonder of the World, achieved through a public-private alliance led by Inkaterra. Thanks to effective measures adopted by the Municipality of Machu Picchu—such as an innovative waste management strategy designed and implemented by Inkaterra that promotes a circular economy and the reforestation of native flora—the iconic destination has reduced its total carbon emissions by 18.47% over five years, as confirmed by the certification company Green Initiative. This reduction is more than just a statistic; it is a testament to our commitment to the environment and the future of our planet.

“Inkaterra boasts a distinctive and personal history marked by a deep commitment to sustainability and environmental research. Their endeavors demonstrate how tourism can simultaneously safeguard nature and provide memorable experiences. Over the years, this hotel group has consistently raised the bar in both eco-tourism and luxury tourism while also fostering greater awareness and education in environmental protection and sustainability,” TTW concludes.

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With over 10 million readers worldwide, Travel + Leisure magazine features an article celebrating the approval of Peru’s newest protected area in the spring of 2024—the Grau Tropical Sea National Reserve—following a decade of joint efforts between nonprofits and government authorities. This initiative has been pursued by Inkaterra Asociación since 2012, when Inkaterra submitted a Technical Proposal to the Ministry of Environment for the creation of Peru’s first marine reserve. The proposal was supported by the National Geographic Society, the International Game Fish Association, the University of Miami, and the University of Alicante, among other institutions.

Located in Peru's northern region, off the coasts of Piura and Tumbes, the newly declared reserve encompasses 286,059 acres. Its aim is to protect the area from the overexploitation of marine resources while supporting the local artisanal fishing community. Travel + Leisure recognizes the Grau Tropical Sea as “the habitat of 70 percent of Peru's marine species, including turtles, humpback whales (which specifically travel here to give birth), hammerhead sharks, the Humboldt penguin, and the Pacific seahorse.”

The article notes that the reserve “will not only help preserve wildlife but also help develop the area's tourism potential and reduce the negative impacts of climate change and the El Niño phenomenon."

Inkaterra Asociación has played a key role in preserving Cabo Blanco’s marine biodiversity and its ancient tradition of artisanal fishing, which is now essential for the conservation of the Tropical Pacific Sea and the sustainable use of fishery resources. In 2018, Inkaterra Asociación led efforts for the official declaration of Cabo Blanco and El Ñuro’s artisanal fishing as National Cultural Patrimony while working with coastal communities to transform Cabo Blanco into a new ecotourism destination and a global model of sustainability.

Click the buttom below to read Travel + Leisure’s story on the newly declared marine protected area in Northern Peru.

The Miss Texas, an icon of sport fishing and a favorite of Ernest Hemingway, was meticulously restored in 2014 by ecotourism pioneers José and Denise Koechlin as a symbol of Inkaterra’s commitment to restoring and conserving marine diversity in Cabo Blanco, northern Peru. In celebration of the 71st anniversary of the world record set in Cabo Blanco, Arantza Miró Quesada of Cosas Magazine chronicles the story behind this remarkable restoration, which has attracted attention from Hemingway enthusiasts and those dedicated to preserving Cabo Blanco's cultural and natural significance.

“On August 4, 1953, Alfred Glassell Jr. made history by landing the largest black marlin ever recorded, weighing an impressive 1,560 pounds, aboard the yacht Miss Texas in Cabo Blanco. This achievement established Glassell as a legend in the world of sport fishing and put Cabo Blanco on the international map as a renowned destination for fishing enthusiasts,” Arantza recounts, describing the origins of this sport fishing mecca during the 1950s. “Cabo Blanco attracted numerous Hollywood celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, and Gary Cooper, all drawn by the promise of unique adventures and the natural beauty of the place. However, perhaps the most famous visitor was Ernest Hemingway, the acclaimed writer and Nobel Prize winner in Literature, who in 1956 sailed on the Miss Texas and caught a 700-pound marlin, adding his own touch of mystique to the vessel.”

Arantza also highlights Inkaterra’s environmental commitment and innovative approach to sustainability. “Through scientific research and conservation strategies, the organization works to protect local biodiversity while creating travel experiences that attract tourists from around the world. Activities such as birdwatching, sustainable fishing, and sport fishing not only promote the local economy but also enhance the quality of life for communities, including the artisanal fishermen of Cabo Blanco.”