What strategy did you have to use to achieve success in your business during the hardest times in Peru, in the midst of a prolonged war between the State and the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso)?

We lived through turbulent times in the 80s, when my family detected a business opportunity with soft drinks, inaccessible in Peru due to the action of the terrorist group that attacked trucks. I came to be immersed in the middle of a confrontation between the Shining Path and the Army. To have come out of the terrorist period in Ayacucho with flying colors was complex and I acquired the fundamental principle of business performance thanks to my mother, who instilled in me the concept of modeling (example). 

When you want to do something, just to command does not work. Working and sacrificing with your people, in a team, with a whole staff that radiates good spirit, allows you to gain a certain degree of authority and respect. The self-esteem of my employees is the success of my companies. Without dreams and hope you can't build a solid team.

How can the public and private sectors work together to improve the tourism experience in Peru?

In 2020, AJE GROUP is changing its corporate identity to highlight its commitment to the environment. One of the efforts is oriented in this direction, so a Spanish group has made a donation of 700 pieces of equipment for forest firefighters. In Peru, we are developing training programs in the jungle area that we want to take care of. Certainly, there is a lot to do and other priorities in the High Andes. My dream is to help the Peruvian jungle communities to develop economically.

How does your company integrate social responsibility and sustainability practices?

I want to improve the quality of life in the High Andes. I want Peruvians to have the opportunity to keep dreaming. Jobs in agriculture amount to 2.5 million people. If we managed to distribute potatoes around the world, tens of thousands of hectares would generate hundreds of thousands of jobs. If we value 300,000 hectares, we would create more than one million jobs. The plantations, which are planted once a year, at 3,600 meters above sea level, are irrigated with rainwater. We use the fallow concept, and with the greening of the meadows, we improve the rain cycle.

How can Peru's tourism offer be diversified to attract different types of tourists?

In 2016, Ayacucho received a total of 56,000 tourists on three flights per week. We have reached 300,000 tourists per year and seven daily flights. Ayacucho absorbs more than 32 tourist destinations. 

We are prepared for much more. Tourism boosts the economy and at the same time, allows us to consume the jewels of the High Andes, gastronomy, customs, and a specific way of living together. The two axes of transformation are agriculture and tourism. 

I am talking about national tourism, although what we are implementing are strategies to attract foreign tourism so that they can get to know the 20,000 years of Ayacucho's history, still to be told.