Photos and Videos

Members of Tourism Cares traveled to Peru in May for its first Global Outreach program. The group met with members of Peru's travel industry in Cuzco, followed by a day in the Inca Sacred Valley, a visit to Machu Picchu and a restoration project back in Cuzco. Pictured here, Bruce Beckham, CEO of Tourism Cares, and the rest of the visiting Americans were greeted in Cuzco by a troupe of costumed entertainers. Photos by Arnie Weissmann

Photos & Videos

Dispatch, Peru: A visual tour

Members of Tourism Cares traveled to Peru in May for its first Global Outreach program. The group met with members of Peru's travel industry in Cuzco, followed by a day in the Inca Sacred Valley, a visit to Machu Picchu and a restoration project back in Cuzco. Pictured here, Bruce Beckham, CEO of Tourism Cares, and the rest of the visiting Americans were greeted in Cuzco by a troupe of costumed entertainers. Photos by Arnie Weissmann

Members of Tourism Cares traveled to Peru in May for its first Global Outreach program. The group met with members of Peru's travel industry in Cuzco, followed by a day in the Inca Sacred Valley, a visit to Machu Picchu and a restoration project back in Cuzco. Pictured here, Bruce Beckham, CEO of Tourism Cares, and the rest of the visiting Americans were greeted in Cuzco by a troupe of costumed entertainers. Photos by Arnie Weissmann

United States Tour Operators Association CEO Terry Dale dances with one of the entertainers in Cuzco.

At the educational forum, Dr. Ruth Shady, Peru's foremost archeologist, discussed the discovery and excavation of the Caral-Supe site, the oldest settlement found in the Americas.

From left: Heather Rhodes, CEO of TravelStyles; Beth Karlicek, SVP Operations and Planning for General Tours; industry consultant Robin Tauck and Harry Dalgaard, president of Avanti Destinations, discussed how Peru is perceived and sold in the U.S during the forum.

Members of Tourism Cares and Turismo Cuida gather after their joint forum in Cuzco.

A train carrying passengers en route to Machu Picchu passes restored Inca terraces and a restored Inca bridge outside Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.

Lima Tours guide Ernesto Ore leads George Washington University professor Don Hawkins, center, Avanti Destinations president Harry Dalgaard, right, and other Tourism Cares members on a tour of Ollantaytambo.

The group checks out local handicrafts in Ollantaytambo's main square.

All aboard! Tourism Cares members ride the upscale Inca Rails line from Ollantaytambo to Agua Callientes for the next leg of the journey to Machu Picchu.

After lunch at the Inkaterra Cafe (building in background) Tourism Cares members begin the walk through Agua Callientes to coaches bound for Machu Picchu.

The first view of Machu Picchu was dramatic, lit by late afternoon sun and ringed by fog.

A llama wanders through the ruins of Machu Picchu.

The group treks down after reaching the highest point of the ruins.

Outside the market in Cuzco, Tourism Cares CEO Bruce Beckham thanks local residents for hosting the group and providing the opportunity to work together.

By coincidence, a group of colorfully dressed pilgrims were also gathering outside the Cuzco market to begin a trek into the mountains.

Another group of pilgrims.

Inside the market, General Tours' Beth Karlicek inspects a pork vendor's stand.

In the produce section of the market.

And finally, down to work. Michael Mabrouk, Dir. of Specialty Sales with Amadeus, paints a kiosk outside Cuzco's Mercado San Pedro.