From winning awards and hosting workshops, to celebrating colourful Peruvian gastronomy, it’s been an active month at Inkaterra. Want to take a peek at what we’ve been up to? Here’s a snapshot of our achievements over the past month, from the Andes to the heart of the Amazon:
Die Goldene Palme 2018 Award (Germany)

We were honoured to see Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel awarded first prize in the ‘Responsible Tourism’ category at the Die Goldene Palme Travel Awards that took place in Berlin.
Through a public-private partnership with the Machu Picchu Town Hall and the multinational Peruvian beverage AJE Group, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is working to help turn Machu Picchu into a global sustainability model. You can read more about the initiative here.
The donation of a compacting machine led to the city’s first biodiesel production plant to be opened at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. The new plant plant produces biodiesel, which reduces carbon emissions by up to 44% compared to traditional fuels, and petrochemical-free glycerine. Consequently, Inkaterra collects 600 gallons of waste oil from local restaurants, hotels and houses each month, thus avoiding its spillage into rivers.
“We are truly honored with this recognition to an effort Inkaterra has encouraged in Machu Picchu since 1976,” said Inkaterra chairman José Koechlin. “Through scientific research as a basis for wildlife conservation, we managed to restore one of the most biodiversity-rich environments within city limits. Now we aim to turn Peru’s iconic patrimony into an example for all travel destinations worldwide.”
 
Chef Virgilio Martínez talks at the first Gastronomy Masterclass in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

On 14^th March, the Urubamba Coliseum hosted the first Gastronomy Masterclass. The goal: to incorporate all members in attendance within a supply chain that encourages the Sacred Valley as an agricultural and gastronomic destination, with a focus on sustainable production which benefits local producers, restaurants, hotels, food markets, and ultimately, the environment.
World-famous Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez, winner of the 2017 Chef’s Choice Award, spoke at the event, sharing his experiences on food research and high-quality standards and hospitality services.
It’s not the first time Virgilio Martínez has been in the spotlight this month – eagle-eyed UK viewers will have seen him appear on popular UK cooking show, Masterchef, promoting Peru as a gastronomic wonderland. Recently Inkaterra-ITA have started a partnership with Virgilio Martínez, Inkaterra providing organic products from our Bio-Orchard located near Inkaterra Guides Field Station, for his restaurants: Central in Lima and Mil in Moray-Cusco.
 
José Koechlin appointed Vice-Chairman of CANATUR

March also saw Inkaterra Founder and CEO, José Koechlin, being appointed as Vice-Chairman of CANATUR, the National Chamber of Tourism, for the 2018-2020 period (he was Chairman for the period of 1994-1996).
CANATUR aspires to help the Peruvian government improve tourism, with the goal of welcoming more visitors to Peru by 2021, the year of Peru’s 200th anniversary of independence. The group plans on boosting tourism through innovative marketing strategies, improving hospitality services, and new investment projects.
 
Field Projects International announced 3 new courses at Inkaterra Guides Field Station

Last, but by no means least, Field Projects International announced three different field courses are to be held at Inkaterra Guides Field Station, our research station in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Genomics in the Jungle: Sample to Sequence in the Amazon Rainforest, Lab and Field Training (22^nd July – 4^th August) explores how the subject of genetics is transforming biological research, including successfully deploying instruments which enable molecular work to be conducted ‘on-the-fly’ and in the field.
Amazonian ABCs: Fundamentals of Rainforest Ecology and Field Botany (3-16^th June and 15-28^th July) offers a broad overview of forest ecology and conservation, with a taxonomic focus on plants, and a geographic focus on the Amazon basin in Southern Peru.
Amazon to the Andes: The Birds of Peru (24^th June-7^th July or 13^th July) will enable participants to delve into one of the richest areas in the world in terms of bird diversity. The Peruvian Amazon hosts over 1000 recorded species, including 256 native to the region.
To read more about what we’ve been up to this month, click here to view our newsletter.