The Interamerican Development Bank (IDB Invest), in collaboration with Inkaterra, the pioneering Peruvian-based hospitality group and leader in eco-tourism, announced the closing of a $17 million financing package. This strategic partnership aims to support Inkaterra’s growth and expansion, deepening its positive impact on the tourism sector and the local communities across Peru.

The project will expand Inkaterra’s portfolio in Madre de Dios, located within the Peruvian Amazon. The funding will also enable the development of a new hospitality project in the Machu Picchu cloud forest and along the scenic northern coast of Cabo Blanco. In addition, IDB Invest will provide a $5 million revolving line of credit to enhance its working capital, with a particular focus on fostering stronger relationships with local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“This financing marks more than just capital deployment — it’s a testament to genuine impact investing at work. By supporting a company that has long been a global reference in sustainable tourism, we’re helping to strengthen a business model where conservation, community, and culture converge,” remarked the Head of Tourism at IDB Invest, Mr. Rogerio Basso. “At the heart of this story is José Koechlin, Inkaterra’s visionary Founder and CEO, whose pioneering work for over four decades has made him a global icon in sustainability and a champion of regenerative tourism in Latin America.”

The partnership supports key development objectives by promoting service exports, generating international tourism revenue, and creating formal employment opportunities in Peru’s hospitality sector. The initiative will particularly benefit remote areas such as Madre de Dios and Cabo Blanco, activating the local value chain in these regions and catalyzing economic development through increased tourism activity.

The financing will allow Inkaterra to expand its sustainable tourism practices. This approach is essential for maximizing the long-term economic and social potential of Peru's tourism sector. By expanding its operations and nature-based solutions, Inkaterra highlights its commitment to best practices and cultural preservation while simultaneously creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities.

Inkaterra leads the Madre de Dios Sustainable Landscape (MDSL), a 252,047-acre conservation corridor in one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots. The initiative aims to preserve ecosystem services while addressing threats like illegal gold mining and deforestation. It promotes habitat restoration, ecotourism, and sustainable economic activities to benefit both nature and local livelihoods. The MDSL is envisioned as a hub for green businesses, expected to attract over USD 100 million in private investment. Local communities play a key role through value-added ventures that protect biodiversity and restore ecosystems. Outcomes include poverty reduction, enhanced carbon sequestration, and more resilient habitats. Capacity building in ecotourism and cultural initiatives is central to ensuring long-term impact.

Furthermore, Inkaterra is developing a comprehensive ecotourism project in Cabo Blanco, to restore the marine-coastal landscape of northern Peru, integrate science, culture, and tourism, and establish Cabo Blanco as an ecotourism development hub for the region, as well as a model for conservation in the Tropical Pacific. This initiative is based on four key pillars: high-quality ecological infrastructure, research and conservation initiatives led by Inkaterra Asociación, ecotourism experiences with strong local identity, and sustainable development strategies to support the resilience of coastal communities.

This collaboration reaffirms IDB Invest's commitment to its Amazonia Forever initiative, which promotes responsible tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean and underscores the synergy between economic growth and sustainable development. It represents a significant investment opportunity in Peru's economically vulnerable areas, where financial returns are aligned with impactful social outcomes.

The IDB Invest-Inkaterra partnership sets a demonstrative example for how the private sector can invest in unlocking long-term value for local economies and the environment.

We are proud to announce that three Inkaterra properties have been named by Travel+Leisure magazine among the world’s best hotels in its influential annual T+L 500 List – Inkaterra La Casona, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, and Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica.

“The Inkaterra family is delighted with this new recognition from the prestigious T+L 500 Hotels List, celebrating excellence in global hospitality,” said founder José Koechlin. “It inspires us to keep advocating for ecotourism as a means to enhance biodiversity conservation and the wellbeing of local communities across Peru.”

Peru’s first-ever Relais & Châteaux property, Inkaterra La Casona is our first property mentioned at this year’s T+L 500 List. Nestled on the training grounds of an elite Incan army, the 16th century manor house welcomed Spanish conquistador Diego de Almagro and Libertador Simón Bolívar among other illustrious guests. Peppered with colonial furniture, handmade textiles and original murals, Inkaterra La Casona immerses guests in Cusco’s rich heritage and vibrant tradition.

Travel+Leisure also highlights Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, an intimate Andean village with terraced hills, waterfalls, stone pathways and whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the Andean cloud forest, at the foot of one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. 12 acres of exquisite natural beauty, hosting 311 bird species registered by eBird, as well as the world’s largest native orchid collection with 372 species. Guests can relax in the Unu Spa, which combines classic nurturing with a mystical Andean approach. Natural products are derived from local botanical extracts, thus providing a spiritual, sensual and soothing experience.

Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica also appears among favorites. The eco-luxury lodge facing the Madre de Dios River is best known for its design inspired by the Ese’Eja culture, built with native materials in harmony with the natural surroundings. A varied selection of à-la-carte excursions are available, including a visit to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway – a hanging bridge system 100 feet (30 meters) above the ground to study wildlife over the treetops and enjoy a privileged view of the Amazon rainforest.

Each year, the readers of Travel+Leisure — the largest travel media brand in the United States, with an audience of 8.1 million — vote for their favorite destinations, city hotels and resorts. Drawing from the latest results, T+L acknowledges the 500 best hotels around the globe. Each prestigious edition of this roster of properties, divided into geographic regions, serves as a trusted resource for millions of enthusiastic travelers.

The T+L 500 list is available in the May issue of Travel+Leisure magazine. To book your stay at Inkaterra, click here.

On May 10, the Global Big Day celebrated its tenth anniversary championing bird conservation worldwide. Promoting World Migratory Bird Day, this major event summons birders from all over the globe who team up for 24 hours to spot the greatest number of species in a specific country, while contributing to data collection.

In this year’s edition, Peru ranked second place after registering 1403 species, confirming its megadiversity and positioning itself as a leading birdwatching destination.

Once again, the Inkaterra team contributed to Peru’s checklist. A total of 224 bird species were sighted in a single day at Inkaterra grounds in Madre de Dios (184 species) and the Cusco region (44 species).

Inkaterra’s grounds host up to 996 registered bird species, surpassing Costa Rica’s total bird count. Confirming Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel as one of the most biodiversity-rich urban hotspots in the world, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird app registers a record high of 311 species within the property. The golden-headed quetzal (Pharomachrus auriceps), the versicolored barbet (Eubucco versicolor), the Andean motmot (Momotus aequatorialis), the torrent duck (Merganetta armata), and up to 18 hummingbird species, are some of the most representative species found at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.

The Global Big Day was created by eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), one the world’s largest biodiversity-related science projects. With more than 100 million bird sightings contributed annually around the world, the app documents bird distribution, abundance, habitat use, and trends through checklist data collected within a simple, scientific framework.

For further information and results of the 2025 Global Big Day, visit: https://ebird.org/globalbigday.

After co-producing Werner Herzog’s cult classic Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) to promote the Peruvian landscapes through film, José Koechlin established Inkaterra, pioneering ecotourism and sustainable development since 1975.

In 1976, José Koechlin acquired land originally used for grazing and tea production in Machu Picchu Pueblo, and soon began reforestation to restore ecosystems, including the habitat of the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana). The painstaking restoration process took fifteen years until the hotel’s opening in 1991 and carries on to this day, focused on attracting birds by planting native botanical species in order to promote ecotourism for the benefit of local communities. Heliconias, bromeliads, and other native plants were cultivated, and natural pollination was encouraged as a conservation strategy.

One of the world’s first successful stories of regenerative tourism, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is now one of richest biodiversity hotspots within urban limits in the world. 311 bird species, 111 butterflies, 372 native orchids (20 of which have been described as new to science), and 98 ferns are registered in hotel grounds.

Additionally, Inkaterra preserves its organic tea plantation with century-old crops that benefit from the wild shade and leaves of native trees. Processed with ancestral techniques, Inkaterra's organic tea has been awarded the 2023 Gold Medal and two 2024 Silver Medals in the prestigious Teas of the World global competition celebrated annually in Paris.