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Spring 2026 Charlas con Café | Reimagining Tourism in the Colca Valley: Regenerative Aspirations in the Shadow of Mass Tourism

Event Poster

When

1 – 2 p.m., Feb. 27, 2026

The Center for Latin American Studies is partnering with the Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry this spring to host the Charlas con Café Speaker Series – a weekly space to hear lectures from a wide variety of experts and discuss topics relevant to the Latin American region, Fridays from 1-2 pm (unless otherwise specified). Coffee and snacks starting at 12:30pm!

Reimagining Tourism in the Colca Valley: Regenerative Aspirations in the Shadow of Mass Tourism

Part of this presentation will be in Spanish with consecutive English interpretation available.

In Peru’s Colca Valley, tourism represents not only a vital livelihood strategy but also a site of aspiration and possibility. Yet for small businesses and municipalities engaged in community tourism, there is a need to strategically navigate and reimagine tourism amid the dominance of the “Full Day” tour. Drawing on ethnographic research by the Arequipa Nexus Institute, this presentation examines how local actors pursue regenerative tourism practices grounded in creativity, diversification, and collaboration. While navigating the shadow of mass tourism presents challenges, these efforts demonstrate the potential to redefine Colca as a destination centered on culture, community, and sustainable exploration.

Sarah Renkert
Sarah Renkert is an assistant professor of practice in Purdue University's Department of Anthropology. She is an applied sociocultural anthropologist, specializing in food studies, community development, and tourism. She also works with undergraduate researchers on food security projects across Indiana and directs student internships with regional nonprofits. Her international work includes research on food aid politics and community-based tourism in Peru and Ecuador. She has also led projects on diaper need, food security, and land protection in the U.S. Southwest.
 
Lady Shirley Concha Díaz
Lady Concha is a specialist in business planning and social enterprise design in tourism. She holds two master’s degrees—one in Sustainable Tourism Management from the National University of San Agustín (UNSA) in Arequipa and another in Tourism Management and Consulting from the University of León in Spain. She is currently a PhD candidate in Social Sciences at UNSA, where she is also faculty in the School of Tourism and Hospitality. With more than 20 years of experience in the tourism sector, she mentors entrepreneurs through the JAKU Emprende incubator and the UNSA Technology Park and serves as an external consultant on innovation projects.