PROMPERU zooms in on screen tourism with a very famous bear

TORONTO — After seeing the wonders of Peru come to life on the big screen – with Paddington Bear as a tour guide, no less – plenty of moviegoers will be putting Peru at the top of their travel wish lists.

And that’s great news for PROMPERU and anyone selling this favourite South American destination.

Numerous international film productions have featured Peru in recent years, including ‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold’ and ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’

The new movie ‘Paddington in Peru’, however, takes destination showcasing to a whole other level.

Screened at a PROMPERU event in Toronto last night for travel media and partners, ‘Paddington in Peru’, the third installment in the UK’s StudioCanal film franchise, has Paddington and his adopted family journeying from the bustling streets of Lima, to the Amazon jungle, and finally to Cusco and iconic Machu Picchu. They’re looking for Paddington’s Aunt Lucy, who raised Paddington in their homeland of Peru before the young bear famously set off for London.

Peru’s tagline with PROMPERU is ‘A Land of Unforgettable Adventures’, and no one knows that better than the ‘Paddington in Peru’ cast.

PROMPERU has been working hard on developing its screen tourism niche, known as set jetting to fans.

“With more and more travellers planning trips around film and television shows, the hope is the film will inspire audiences to plan their own Peruvian adventures,” says PROMPERU.

“HE’S ONE OF THE BEST PERUVIANS”

At the Toronto screening Jaime Cardenas, Director PROMPERU Canada, noted that ‘Paddington in Peru’ was filmed on-site at the country’s famous landmarks. Paddington himself may be a combination of motion capture and CGI animation, but the locations were very real.

At the advance screening of ‘Paddington in Peru’, Jaime Cardenas, Director PROMPERU Canada (left) was joined by Peru’s Ambassador to Canada, Manuel Gerardo Talavera Espinar (centre)

The film features iconic spots in Lima and Cusco. In the capital, the chosen locations were the Historic Center (including Plaza Mayor) and the Miraflores boardwalk. In Cusco, filming took place in the Machupicchu National Archaeological Park, the town of Machupicchu and Huayna Picchu Mountain.

It’s all part of Peru’s strategy to offer the country as a filming location, said Cardenas.

And you can’t do much better than having friendly, polite and quietly noble Paddington Bear associated with your country.

As Peru’s Ambassador to Canada, Manuel Gerardo Talavera Espinar, said at last night’s event: “Paddington is Peruvian, and he’s one of the best Peruvians.”

NEW PERU OFFERINGS FROM TOUR OPS

More and more Canadians are discovering Peru, and that’s thanks in part to the many tour operators offering this destination.

A number of tour operators have launched new Peru products to keep up with demand. Some of the newest offerings include Intrepid Travel: Peru: Hike, Bike, Raft & SUP; Contiki: Lima to Machu Picchu Road Trip; Contiki: Perú: Lima to Huaraz; and G Adventures: Active Galápagos & Machu Picchu.

Not only that, but Transat offers direct flights to Lima (from YYZ and YUL), plus packages and hotels too. Flights launched in December 2023 and Transat recently announced it would be increasing service for summer 2025. Air Transat’s Montreal to Lima route will begin operating twice per week (increasing from once a week) to match the frequency of the Toronto – Lima routing.

In other news, Lima’s new Jorge Chavez International Airport will officially open on March 30. The new airport facilities will be able to handle 30 million passengers per year, strengthening Lima’s position as a key transportation hub for South America. Some parts of the new airport are already being used, including a second runway and a new control tower. The new terminal is part of a larger ‘airport city’ development with modernization projects planned through 2051.

PADDINGTON IN PERU Q&A

For anyone looking for a deep dive on the Paddington – Peru connection, here’s a Q&A courtesy of PROMPERU …

Q. Who is Paddington Bear and what is his connection with Peru?

A. “‘Paddington in Peru’ is a StudioCanal production based on the popular British children’s story ‘A Bear Called Paddington’ (1958) by writer Michael Bond.

“In the book, Paddington Bear is introduced as a foreign visitor from the ‘darkest Peru.’ After the death of his parents in an earthquake, Paddington’s Aunt Lucy sends him to London via postal service where he is adopted by the Brown family.

“Paddington’s latest on-screen adventure – the third in the series – takes him on a search for his roots in Peru. Paddington returns to his homeland to visit his Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears, and travels across the country to find his family and learn more about his past.”

Q. Where can visitors see Paddington when travelling in Peru?

A. “The strong historic bond between Peru and Paddington Bear has inspired a pair of artistic tourist attractions in Lima. Visitors can pose with a charming statue of Paddington in Parque Salazar along the scenic Miraflores boardwalk. A gift from the British embassy in 2015, the statue depicts Paddington clad in a Union Jack coat and a suitcase in hand.

“In 2024, a new Paddington mural was unveiled in the Peruvian capital next to the Larcomar shopping mall.

“Created by Peruvian street artist Pesimo, the mural captures the essence of Paddington’s connection to both the United Kingdom and Peru, including attractions from both countries such as Machupicchu, London Bridge, Big Ben and the Flor de la Cantuta.”

Q. What Peruvian sites are portrayed on screen in ‘Paddington in Peru’?

A. “‘Paddington in Peru’ depicts several iconic locations in the Peruvian capital of Lima and the region of Cusco, showcasing the richness and diversity of Peru’s landscapes. As Paddington explores Lima, viewers will recognize the vibrant streets of the city’s Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with colonial architecture and bustling markets. The charming Miraflores boardwalk also makes an appearance; the popular tourist area overlooks the Pacific Ocean where warm sunsets and coastal vistas create an idyllic backdrop.

“In Cusco, filming took place in the Machupicchu National Archaeological Park, the town of Machupicchu and Huayna Picchu Mountain. The most recognizable filming location is the ancient Incan city of Machupicchu, a historic site known for its sophisticated dry-stone construction and panoramic views of the Andes, which serves as a testament to the ingenuity of the Inca civilization.”

Q. How did PROMPERU support the production of the film?

A. “Through Film In Peru, a service that is part of PROMPERÚ’s strategy to promote the country as a filming destination, assistance was provided for the filming in Lima and Cusco. This support included institutional coordination with public and private entities to obtain filming and drone permits. Additionally, guidance and support were provided for the processing of 26 visas for the members of the film crew working in Peru.”

More information about travel to Peru can be found at Peru.travel