Accessibility and Inclusion
We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming experience for all participants, recognizing that sustainability must also include equity and accessibility.
Tourism Cares staff connects with all attendees prior to each event to confirm any accessibility needs or other considerations. Attendees are also encouraged to reach out to staff at any time with questions, concerns, or specific needs so we can help ensure everyone has a healthy, safe, and enjoyable experience.
Attendees will be able to find accessibility information and important considerations for specific experiences and locations throughout the event itinerary. Itinerary will be updated as we get closer to the event.
Please note that all dietary restrictions provided during registration have been taken into account at each venue. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available during all receptions and meals where alcohol is served.
Connect with Tourism Cares staff at Kati.Hagedorn@tourismcares.org.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
We encourage attendees to take breaks as needed throughout the event. Please take time to pause, recharge, and care for yourself so you can participate in a way that feels comfortable and sustainable. All group sessions will take place at our host hotels, and attendees are encouraged to take breaks or return to their rooms as needed. We will do our best to balance making the most of our time together in Peru with opportunities for downtime and rest throughout the Summit.
Sustainability
We are committed to advancing our industry in meaningful and responsible ways. This includes working closely with local partners, vendors, and attendees to rethink how events are planned and delivered, moving beyond the status quo together.
Below are some of the steps we are taking for the Meaningful Travel Summit in Peru. A full overview of our policies and commitments can be found on our Sustainability Policies.
Community Partnerships
We have prioritized working with local vendors, community-based organizations, venues, and speakers to ensure the Summit directly benefits the Peruvian communities we visit. A full list of our local partners can be found on our website.
Whenever possible, we also create opportunities for attendees to purchase locally made products directly from the communities and artisans we visit, providing an additional way to support their work.
We encourage attendees to continue supporting local businesses during their free time. Our Meaningful Travel Map highlights community-based experiences and businesses throughout Peru, and we will provide recommendations for local restaurants and other businesses near our host hotels. Our team is also happy to help attendees with suggestions during the Summit.
Our host hotels were selected not only for their ability to support the needs of our program, but also with location, walkability, guest experience, and sustainability practices in mind.
Throughout the Summit, we are working with our hotel partners to better understand and communicate their sustainability efforts, including local sourcing, waste reduction, community support, and operational practices.
All three properties share several sustainability practices:
Carbon Footprint Management: The hotels have been recognized by Peru’s Ministry of the Environment for its carbon footprint management. Each property measures and audits emissions across all three scopes and has demonstrated reductions through practices such as LED lighting and real-time energy monitoring.
Food Donations: Each property partners with the Food Bank of Peru to donate safe, surplus food from its breakfast buffets, helping provide thousands of meals annually to vulnerable communities.
Local Sourcing: Each property incorporates local sourcing into its food and beverage operations, supporting local ingredients and showcasing Peru’s culinary traditions.
Palacio del Inka | Cusco
Supporting Young Mothers: Palacio del Inka partners with the Mantay organization, which supports teenage mothers and their children. The hotel provides space for Mantay to operate an art shop and modern art gallery, helping generate funds to support its programs.
Sustainability Certification: Palacio del Inka holds Biosphere Certification, which evaluates sustainability progress in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Supporting Local Businesses: The hotel prioritizes purchasing from local suppliers and provides training and development opportunities to help small businesses grow and succeed.
Hospitality Training: Palacio del Inka provides hospitality training to young people from vulnerable communities in the Sacred Valley, helping prepare them for employment opportunities. Some program participants have gone on to become employees of the hotel.
Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado | Sacred Valley
Supporting Early Educators: Tambo del Inka supports a program that shares best practices in early childhood development with teachers and caregivers from local early education institutions.
Farm-to-Table Practices: The hotel maintains an organic garden with more than 50 certified organic products that are used in its kitchen.
Water Conservation: An onsite wastewater treatment plant allows the hotel to reuse 100% of treated wastewater from its operations to irrigate green areas.
Sustainability Certifications: The hotel holds Biosphere Certification, which evaluates sustainability progress in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as LEED certification recognizing its efforts in efficiency, resource conservation, environmental impact, and healthy spaces.
Local Purchasing: The hotel prioritizes purchasing from local suppliers and provides training and development opportunities to help small local businesses grow and succeed.
Hospitality Training: Tambo del Inka provides hospitality training to young people from vulnerable communities in the Sacred Valley, helping prepare them for employment opportunities. Some program participants have gone on to become employees of the hotel.
AC Hotel by Marriott Lima Miraflores | Lima
Waste Reduction: The hotel partners with social enterprise SINBA to recycle waste into raw materials and transform organic waste into compost and animal feed.
Peruvian Culinary Traditions: The AC Hotel’s culinary program highlights local ingredients and celebrates Peru’s rich gastronomic culture.
Our Destination Management Partner
Tourism Cares is proud to operate this program alongside COLTUR, a certified B Corporation and one of Peru's leading destination management companies. For nearly 70 years, COLTUR has demonstrated that exceptional travel experiences can go hand in hand with community well-being, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship, making them an ideal partner in bringing the Peru Summit to life.
Menu Creation and Food Waste Management
We collaborate with COLTUR and our local partners to provide fresh, locally inspired meals that are inclusive, thoughtfully sourced, and reflective of the communities we visit. Throughout the planning process, we remain mindful of both environmental and community impact.
Our approach includes:
Creating menus that reflect Peruvian culture while accommodating a range of dietary needs
Working with smaller local partners whenever possible and prioritizing locally sourced ingredients and materials when working with larger organizations
Planning meal counts carefully with venues and partners to help reduce food waste
Eliminating single-use items and prioritizing reusable serviceware wherever possible
Providing water refill opportunities throughout the program and asking attendees to bring their own reusable water bottles
Providing a reusable bottle from COLTUR to attendees who need one so it can be refilled throughout the Summit
We recognize that this event is not zero waste, but we are committed to continuously improving and reducing our impact while maintaining a meaningful attendee experience.
Reusable and Recyclable Materials
We are taking several steps to reduce unnecessary event materials and waste.
Attendee lanyards are handmade by our community partner SISAN. During our first community visit in Pachacamac, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and learn from the women of SISAN and better understand the work behind the lanyards they will wear throughout the Summit.
Additional efforts include:
Reusable and biodegradable badge holders, which attendees will be asked to return at the end of the Summit
Name badges printed on recycled paper
Reusing guest lanyards (made from cotton and recycled materials) across Tourism Cares events for as long as possible
Prioritizing reusable and digital signage where possible
Limiting printed materials and using recyclable materials when printing is necessary
Transportation and Walkability
Group transportation is coordinated throughout the Summit to move attendees together efficiently between program locations.
During free time, attendees are encouraged to walk or use public transportation when appropriate. Walkability and accessibility are also important considerations in our venue and hotel selection. Our accommodations in Lima and Cusco are located within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, and other amenities, allowing attendees to explore without requiring additional transportation.
Offsetting Our Footprint
All attendee and staff travel and accommodations associated with the Summit will be accounted for and offset in accordance with Tourism Cares' sustainability commitments.
For more information about our approach, goals, and commitments, please review our full Sustainability Policies.
We also recognize that responsible event planning is an ongoing process. We welcome questions, ideas, and feedback from our attendees and partners at Kati.Hagedorn@tourismcares.org.