14:02 | Cusco, Feb. 11 (ANDINA).
A four-day conference highlighting orchid conservation and education will be held on February 25-28 in Cusco, with the aim of promoting Peru as an ideal destination for orchidologists and orchid specialists.
Carlos Canales, president of Peru's National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur), said this first scientific conference on orchid conservation holds special significance as it coincides with celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of Hiram Bingham's discovery of Machu Picchu.
"We usually promote the Inca citadel as a cultural attraction, and now we want to offer added value with orchids, birds and spectacled bears," he continued.
Canales added the this added value will help attract tourists who are not sure where to go and spend up to 3,500 dollars on every trip.
Home to the largest collection of indigenous orchids in their natural habitat in a single facility (AOS), Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel will play host to the event and will allow guests to participate in the various workshops and activities taking place in the hotel's meeting facilities and expansive orchid gardens.
In attendance and leading these workshops will be international orchidologists and personalities including Dr. Franco Pupulin, University of Costa Rica; Dr. Henry Oakeley, The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, London; Dr. Carlos Fighetti, former President of the American Orchid Society (AOS); Dr. Robert Pemberton, University of Florida; Mr. Benjamín Collantes, renowned Peruvian orchidologist; Carmen Soto, Peruvian biologist at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel; Dr. Robert Dressler, North American taxonomist; Dr. Günter Gerlach, German taxonomist; and Dr. Eric Hágsater, Mexican taxonomist.
In addition to viewing Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel’s 60 to 70 orchid species in bloom, guests will also have the opportunity to take part in a special drawing workshop with celebrated orchid artist Angela Mirro.
(END) LTO/JOT/CRB/EEP
Publicado: 11/2/2011