Sustainable tourism in Peru

Elise De Geyter: from East Flanders to the heart of Peru. ‘I want to take tourists on a personal journey through Peru.’

Elise De Geyter from East Flanders always knew that she wanted to travel. An international exchange has altered her life forever. Whilst in the next-to-last year of her law degree at KU Leuven, she was chosen to spend a six-month period in Singapore. This adventure abroad along with trips to Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangkok and Hong Kong marked the beginning of her international career that eventually led her to Lima.

To South America via the Prince Albert Fund

After completing her traineeship at the bar, Elise didn’t opt for a traditional legal career. Instead, she embarked on an adventure with the support of the Prince Albert Fund.

In October 2021, she settled in Peru and worked for Durabilis. Durabilis is a Belgian group where innovative companies active in the fields of sustainable agriculture and healthy nutrition meet and cooperate. She quickly felt at home in South America.

‘With the Prince Albert Fund, you can go on a one-year project outside Europe for a Belgian company. After that, I just stayed.’ She obtained a local employment contract and started working as a legal expert. She assessed contracts and organized projects. All the while, she discovered life in Peru.

Tourism with Peruvian eyes

Her love of travelling kept playing a major role in Elise’s life. During her holidays, she showed her friends and family around the country. Nature, culture and hospitality left a lasting impression and led to a new project: a travel agency specialised in sustainable tourism working closely with local guides, drivers and small entrepreneurs. ’I want tourists to experience the real Peru and take them on a personal journey with me.

Elise speaks Spanish and understands the local mentality. This is, of course, a great benefit.

Of course, there are also some specific challenges. ‘People don't always stick to deadlines. And if a tour guide comes late, things can become difficult. Fortunately, the people here make up for it with their warmth and smiles.’

There’s practically no pension system in Peru.

Return to Belgium or not?

Does Elise want to stay in Peru forever? ’I love life here, but I also realise that financially, Western Europe offers more safety. Elise has private insurance and also the basic OSS package, so she’s already building up her pension. ‘There’s practically no pension system in Peru.’

Elise travels to Belgium a couple of times a year, often for special occasions, such as a wedding or a birth. In Peru, she daily talks to her grandmother by video call: ’These are precious moments, even if the time difference sometimes creates confusion. Elise also misses certain Belgian products: ‘I like to share Belgian chocolate with my friends in Peru.’ A train trip through the Belgian countryside is also always on the programme when she visits Belgium: ‘Peacefully travelling by train through fields and towns isn’t possible in Peru.’

For the adventurous

Elise doesn’t regret her decisions and encourages others to follow their dreams. ’Belgium isn’t running away. Just take the plunge and discover what the world has to offer.’