Few organizations have done as much to redefine the future of tourism as Inkaterra, a true pioneer in sustainability, Peru ecotourism, and biodiversity conservation across Latin America.
This year, as Inkaterra celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Green Initiative team is honored to recognize and celebrate our partner’s extraordinary journey — one that has transformed not only the way we experience travel, but also the way we connect with nature and contribute to a more climate positive and nature positive future.
Joe Koechlin: A Visionary Behind Inkaterra’s 50 Years
At the heart of Inkaterra’s 50-year journey is Joe Koechlin, its founder and driving force. Since establishing Inkaterra in 1975, Koechlin has redefined what tourism can mean for both travelers and the planet. His conviction was clear from the start: hospitality must be inseparable from conservation, scientific research, and cultural preservation.
Guided by this vision, Koechlin transformed Inkaterra into one of the world’s most respected models of sustainable hotels and regenerative tourism. Under his leadership:
- Inkaterra became a pioneer of biodiversity research in Peru, with over 1,700 species recorded across its lodges and reserves.
- He spearheaded landmark achievements such as the certification of Machu Picchu as the world’s first Carbon UNESCO’s Heritage Site (2017) and led Inkaterra to be recognized as the world’s first Climate Positive hotel brand (2021).
- Through his efforts, ecotourism in Peru became more than an industry — it evolved into a movement for environmental restoration and community well-being.
Koechlin’s work has also had profound international resonance. His voice has been instrumental in showing how the private sector can align with global climate goals while delivering unforgettable travel experiences. With Inkaterra soon reaching its 50th anniversary in 2025, his leadership continues to inspire new generations of hoteliers, conservationists, and travelers committed to a climate and nature positive future.
Inkaterra: A Legacy of Conservation and Innovation
Since its founding in 1975, Inkaterra has been at the forefront of ecotourism and environmental preservation. Through scientific research, reforestation, and community engagement, the organization has created a model where hospitality, ecotourism, and conservation walk hand in hand. Over the decades, their projects have become international milestones, showing the world that protecting biodiversity and generating social value are not only possible, but essential.
The August edition of Inkaterra’s newsletter highlights this remarkable legacy in the article “Inkaterra 50th Anniversary Milestones”, celebrating half a century of achievements in protecting Peru’s natural and cultural heritage. From pioneering sustainable tourism in the Amazon to creating conservation projects in Cusco and Cabo Blanco, Inkaterra continues to inspire destinations worldwide.
A Strategic Alliance for a Climate Positive Future
Our collaboration with Inkaterra is built on a shared vision: that the tourism industry can be a driver of climate action and ecosystem regeneration.
Together, we have celebrated achievements that resonated across the globe:
- In 2017, Inkaterra led the public–private partnership that made Machu Picchu the world’s first Carbon Neutral UNESCO´s Heritage Site, certified by Green Initiative.
- In 2021, Inkaterra became the world’s first Climate Positive hotel brand, a milestone that has redefined standards for sustainable tourism and Peru ecotourism worldwide.
- Through ambitious reforestation programs in the Amazon, Cusco, and northern Peru, our alliance has contributed to the restoration of critical ecosystems, the conservation of biodiversity, and the empowerment of local communities.
Forest Friends at the Economy of Francesco
We are deeply grateful to Inkaterra for highlighting our project Forest Friends in their newsletter article “INKATERRA AND GREEN INITIATIVE: GLOBAL RECOGNITION FOR ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION”.
Forest Friends was recently selected to be showcased at the Economy of Francesco Extraordinary Ideas Global Event 2025, a gathering inspired by Pope Francis that brings together leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to build a new economy rooted in social justice, environmental sustainability, and the common good.
This recognition is not just about our work — it is a testament to a shared commitment with Inkaterra: proving that tourism can be a powerful tool for climate and nature positive transformation.
Facilitate your businesses journey towards value-driven climate and nature positive impacts with Forest Friends.
Through Forest Friends, individuals, companies, and institutions can calculate and offset their carbon footprint by planting native trees, protecting biodiversity, and generating social benefits in regions of high ecological importance such as the Osa Peninsula (Costa Rica), Madre de Dios (Peru), and beyond.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Path Toward 2050
As Inkaterra steps into its next 50 years, we celebrate their pioneering role in uniting science, tourism, and conservation. Together, we are building replicable models for sustainable tourism that inspire global action and directly support the goals of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
On behalf of the Green Initiative and our global Forest Friends community, we congratulate Inkaterra on this historic milestone. May the next decades bring even greater achievements in climate action, biodiversity conservation, and regenerative tourism — for Peru, Latin America, and the world.
This article was written by Yves Hemelryck from the Green Initiative team
