Elizabeth Galdo, new Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru

02-04-24

Elizabeth Galdo Marín recently took office as Peru's new Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, in a ceremony held on April 1, succeeding Juan Carlos Mathews Salazar, who led the ministry since April 23, 2023.

Galdo, a prominent lawyer trained at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), furthered her academic training with a master's degree in Corporate Finance from Harvard University. This appointment marks her first foray into the ministerial cabinet, after a notable career in the private sector. For more than 15 years, she contributed in various capacities to the Telefónica Group, reaching the position of Executive Director in 2014, in addition to holding significant roles as Director of Regulation and General Secretary, among others, both locally and internationally. Prior to her time at Telefónica, Galdo offered her expertise as a consultant in Arthur Andersen's offices in Lima and Caracas.

Her public service record includes her work advising the Vice Minister of Communications. In addition, Galdo is registered as a member of Avanza País - Partido de Integración Social since September 30, 2020, according to the Registry of Political Organizations of the National Jury of Elections (JNE).

Minister Galdo assumes office at a crucial time for Peruvian tourism, immediately after Easter Week 2024, an event that, together with the Fiestas Patrias, plays an essential role in the promotion of domestic tourism and in the consolidation of Peru as a destination of great diversity. 

Although official figures from the recent Easter Week period have not yet been released, preliminary estimates, cited by former Minister Mathews, point to a significant increase in tourism inflow, with an estimated flow of 1.4 million visitors in 2024, up from 1.2 million the previous year. This increase represents an economic impact of approximately US$195 million, surpassing the US$157 million generated last season, underscoring the dynamism and potential growth of the sector under Galdo's new administration.