“Sendero Maleño: between sea, culture and valley” is the first tourist route in the district and there are plans to implement five more by 2029.
Lima, July 22, 2025. In a clear commitment to sustainable and inclusive development, the District Municipality of Mala, located in the province of Cañete, presented its Local Tourism Development Plan (PDTL) 2025-2029, prepared in a participatory manner with various local stakeholders.
The presentation of the PDTL is part of the “Mala Sostenible” project, promoted by Profonanpe and Compañía Minera Condestable, with a budget of US$$ 1.8 million. The model combines sustainable tourism, circular economy and conservation, generating economic, social and environmental impact.
The event was attended by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Desilú León; the mayor of the district of Mala, Julio Espichán; Ricardo Limo Del Castillo, executive president of the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Export and Tourism - PromPerú; the executive director of Profonanpe, Anton Willems; and Erick Romero, coordinator of the Sustainable Mala project.
“This plan is the expression of a dream shared by a community that has decided to value its history. It will also allow us to position tourism as one of the fundamental axes for territorial development, through a modern, sustainable and inclusive proposal, generating great opportunities and caring for our environment, which we call tourism development with purpose.”, said Desilú León, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism.
Photo:Profonananpe
The PDTL sets a precedent at the local and national level for having been developed in a participatory manner with neighborhood associations, entrepreneurs, the farming community and key stakeholders in the territory. Its development included community workshops, interviews, visitor surveys and field visits, which made it possible to generate a tourism diagnosis with a sense of belonging and a shared vision.
“This is a clear example of how joint work between the community, the private sector and the State can generate development with real purpose and impact. This plan is born from the territory and for its people, in which tourism is not only an economic activity, it is a tool for social inclusion, environmental conservation and the strengthening of local identity.”Anton Willems, director of Profonanpe, emphasized.
Photo:Profonananpe
Tourist routes combining nature, history and tradition
As part of the PDTL, the implementation of the “Sendero Maleño: between sea, culture and valley”, the district's first tourist route, has allowed more than 3,500 visitors to come to Mala for the first time, generating additional revenues estimated at S/ 380,000 for local businesses. It is projected that this economic impact will continue to grow, reaching additional revenues of up to S/538,000 per year in the coming years.
In addition, work is underway to implement five other sustainable and inclusive tourism routes by 2029: “Breezes and Tradition”, a route between waves, historic squares and estates with a legacy; “Maleño Roots”, where agriculture and folk art tell their story; “Breathing Summits”, to explore the hills of Mala and connect with nature; “Zen and Honey Routes”, to enjoy serene beaches, ancestral beekeeping and culture; and “Mala on the palate”, an experience to savor the authentic.
The activity also presented the profile of the visitor to Mala, 65% of whom are women, mainly between 25 and 44 years old, and coming from metropolitan Lima (80%). According to the study, 66% of the visitors make a fullday, while 24% have a stay of 2 to 3 days and the average expenditure during their visit is S/ 109.
Among the achievements already attained by the Mala Sostenible project, the following stand out:
- The registration of 26 tourism resources in the inventory of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR), which strengthens the promotion of the destination under sustainability standards, aligning directly with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 8, 12 and 14).
- The start-up of two organic waste valorization plants has made it possible to transform more than 12 tons of waste into innovative products, avoiding the emission of more than 12 tons of CO₂ and protecting more than 17 million liters of water, by taking advantage of residual oil and bovine blood.
- The promotion of 3 eco-businesses led by women, which produce banana snacks, biofertilizers, soaps and other sustainable products, directly benefiting more than 50 families.
- In addition, a biological inventory of the Lomas de Mala has been carried out, identifying more than 130 species of flora and fauna, several of which are endemic, and protecting more than 5,000 hectares of fragile ecosystems.
Inclusive swings have been installed in Bujama Beach
Photo: Profonanpe
“Since 2023, Mala has advanced as a sustainable tourist destination thanks to the joint work with Profonanpe. The tourism inventory was updated, the Local Tourism Development Plan was developed in a participatory manner and the official route “Sendero Maleño: between sea, culture and valley” was created. In addition, two tourist booths were implemented and sustainable eco-businesses were integrated that articulate tourism, circular economy and environmental awareness from the community”, Marquinho Espichán, mayor of the district of Mala, highlighted
With this roadmap, Mala is projected as a model destination for sustainable tourism in Peru, with an articulated management focused on people, nature and the future.
For more information about the Mala Sostenible project go to https://profonanpe.org.pe/proyectos/proyecto-mala-sostenible/.
