Rumors That Disney Will Build New Park in Peru Spark Debate
Earlier this month, one of Peru’s major newspapers reported that Disney might open a park about an hour south of Lima on Peru’s coast. Would a Disney theme park be good or bad for Peru?
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But it’s not even a sure thing that Disney will build a park in Peru. Reports indicate that last year Disney attempted to buy Lima’s Parque de Las Leyendas (Park of legends): the country’s major zoo that is built around archaeological sites. Disney’s offer was turned down by Peru’s National Institute of Culture, who recognized the importance of protecting the country’s cultural assets. The latest round of reports (or rumors) suggest that Disney is eyeing land south of Lima, near the beach known as “Asia.” A Disney representative has curtly denied the reports, although this denial could most likely be a strategic business move.
What’s interesting to me is that many of the comments on Peruvian news sites stress the economic merits of the Disney possibility for Peru, but fail to discuss another important issue. From Disney’s perspective, it’s not hard to imagine why Peru would be a good location for a park, given its central location in South America, positive relationship with the United States, and cheap labor. But I personally wonder about the environmental issues that would be created by building a new theme park. Would Disney be good stewards of the environment in Peru?
As mentioned, the potential park would be located along Peru’s coast, which is also one of the driest deserts in the world. In other words, from Disney’s perspective they probably see the beach and ocean as great for tourists, and the desert as an area of land no one cares about anyway (if it’s not obvious, I don’t think the desert is a wasteland). Like one of my colleagues, I’m skeptical that Disney would do a good job protecting the environment given their history, and despite their recent effort to release a plan that would make green standards part of the company’s corporate responsibilities.
My thinking is that Disney would have a tremendous number of questions to answer. For instance, where’s all the toilet water going to go? Not in the ocean I hope. The Humboldt current off of Peru’s coast is thought to help produce 20% of the world’s fish. And how is Disney going to purify water for its guests without carting in millions of plastic bottles that also might end up in the ocean or desert, or even the Amazon? And let’s not forget that there would be a huge need to provide transportation south from Lima in a way that would help curb air pollution in a city where traffic officers must now wear gas masks.
Even with my environmental concerns, I also feel a personal dilemma summed up by this question: should Peru give a shit about going green? More specifically, how can you argue against a possibility that might mean thousands of additional jobs for people that really need them in a developing country (without providing a better alternative)? Would the wages Disney provides be good for Peruvians, or indeed just another way for an American company to exploit people in a developing country?
So that’s what’s on my mind. What are your thoughts on Disney building a new theme park in Peru?
Photo Credit: Thomas Jung on Flickr under a Creative Commons license
I personally think this would be great for Peru and its economy. Peru is a country that’s growing quickly and could use all the job opportunities. With all the money Walt Disney Corp. makes in profits, they should have no problem creating something like this, even if it is in an arid area. Peru is a major tourist country and I think it could definitely be a success. Being a Peruvian, I also believe that the majority of Peruvians think this is a great opportunity to boost their economy and we would all be proud to say we have the first and only Disney Park in Latin America.
I believe that if Disney Corp. turned down this opportunity, then it would be waste because Peru would be the best place to create a successful theme park.
Disney is extremely concerned about the environmental side of things. It seems that there would be much bigger issues to deal with (and they would handle them well, too).
Maybe they are working toward a theme park on every continent.
It would be a questionable thing to do, right now, until things get worked out a little more in Asia. With the right financial deal, anything could be possible.
As a peruvian I must say that this would be a great opportunity for Disney Corp to invest in my country. You know, in the first place every company has to take a look on profits and reliability on every step they take.
You might know that us, latin american people need to get a Visa in American Embassy to go visit Disneyland Park in Florida, and many many people who have the money to go, just can´t because of the paperwork and the problems to get a visa.
For latin american people it would be great to enjoy a disney park next to them, in a country where they are welcome and need no visa!!!! I think Disney Corp is thinking on that, because they can get even more people than they ever thought.
Asia beach is a gorgeous location with the most beautiful buildings and luxury stores in Lima. Is a fact that the transportation is a problem, that would be something else to think about.
About the exploitation, if they want to provide a quality service, they have to pay quality salaries.
For us would be in tourism field a great thing, tourists who don’t care about culture, when they come to visit disney park, they can also take a little trip around to see Machu Picchu, the Nazca’s Lines, Señor de Sipan, and so much more attractions and awesome places we have.
I think this would be a win - win situation that Disney Corp. and peruvian authorities have to think very well.
I definaletly think it would be a great idea for there to be a Disneyland in Peru. I am from Peru myself and when i used to live in peru as a little girl, I was always very desperate to visit Disneyland but didn’t get the opportunity to go as we couldn’t travel to the states at that time. I have several cousins I know that live in Peru who would very much like to go to Disneyland, I have travelled through Asia before and it would be an ideal environment to have a Disneyland. It is a very wide desserted area with a lot of land so I don’t think there should be many issues with the enviromental factors of having a disneyland. I definately think it would attract a lot of tourists not only from Peru but from all south american countries. Again I agree it would give many people who need jobs somewhere to work as there are many poor people there and this could defiantely improve peoples lives. Having a Disneyland would bring new great and popular attractions for Peru aswell as Machu Pichu, especialy for families and Disney could make a lot more money than usual. It would make Asia a more well known and better place which would also give other stores around there more buisness.Disney would be suited well to Peru. With the beautiful beaches around and also the fact that visas are required to go abroad for people in south america, it would be a great thing if peru could have a disneyland, and i hope it will.
It would be the smartest thing to do. Location, location and location… Peru is in not only the center but it is the most logical country geographically of all South America to make this happen.
First, surrounding countries would not need the visa (which is cumbersome for most countries in the world to get in order to come to the States). There is plenty to see in Peru and South American countries. Once you’re there, take advantage of the trip, go to Cuzco (Machu Picchu ruins, Inca Trail), Nazca Lines, Iquitos (Amazon), Asia-Lima, and Lima city which you will find the most delicious dishes you ever had, you guys don’t know Auguste Escoffier, “The Chef of Kings and The King of Chefs,” whom after much contemplation, decreed that only three nations have varied and comprehensive national cuisines: France, Peru and China. Last but not least, the majestic Andes. Talk about getting the biggest bang per buck!
In addition, only a couple of hours away, you could be in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, Chile’s Eastern Islands, Colombia’s Santa Marta, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro… need more? One would be wrong to say they don’t have money. You don’t need to be a millionaire to go to DL a couple of times a year.
Peru has been growing consistently for the past 8 years, no terrorists, modern and colonial cities with modern transportation and very affordable for everybody.
Multi millionaire corporate contracts i.e. Siemens for 6 brand new hydroelectric power plants which will be exporting energy to Brazil.
60% of Peru’s public transportation is powered by gas and increasing.
“El Metropolitano” which is the most modern public transportation in South America will be completed soon.
13 new oil exploration contracts with The Norwegian company IOC.
In less than two years Peru’s capital will have the largest multimodal maritime megaterminal in the island of San Lorenzo thanks to Japanese investors.
The Olmos Project will completed soon which is a megaproject using the tunnel boring machine (TBM) to construct the Trans-Andean Tunnel.
So, do not worry for Peruvian economy, yeah they are ready for Disney.
By the way, Disneyland already tried to acquire Peru Lima’s Zoo, but it was rejected due to the enormous archeological area involved in it. The Peruvian National Cultural Institute was forced to decline Disneyland’s offer.
Who told you that if people get jobs and salaries from Disneyland could be bad for the economy? If people don’t have jobs, whatever salary is welcome. If They already have jobs, simply they don’t leave their current jobs to work in Disneyland. Besides, there are other many many economic aspects in favour of the economy … for example DIsney would attract other tourist investments, for example hotels, improvement of transport, restaurants, tours, adventure sports, etc. This place, like many others in Peru have multiple potential toursits attractions not previously used (virgin) …
The environment: what to say man? Environment is a fashion in our days. Whatever intiative has to be questioned iun relation to the environment. Project A environment, Project B environment, environment …. OF COURSE has to be an environmental analysis!!! Peru has a new Environemntal Ministery, they will take care of it.
I think that even if Peru does’nt care about enviroment, Disney is under the international sight and would care about doing it right in Peru. Its part of institutional image which is quite important for the tourist industry.
Still, the enviromental concern exists in that kind of projects. Not mainly because of waste or pollution.. but the shortage of water in a desertic region.
Thanks.
Chris
Being Peruvian and having being raised there and now living in US my opinion is that think Disney would increase tourism and it will provide a lot of job opportunities. Also it would provide an example of how to handle businesses for other growing companies.
However, having worked at Disney for 6 months, I believe if this gets to happen somebody needs to regulate the workforce rights because as any person that has worked for Disney as a part timer or full timer can testify, Disney is a really cheap employee and they don’t really care about the people that work for them whatsoever.