Machu Picchu allows 4,500 tourists per day

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Machu Picchu is one of the most famous and iconic tourist spots in the world. It is an enigmatic citadel which the ancient Inca empire built. It dates back to the 1400s.

Since experts have voiced concerns about damage to the historic site, about 3,800 tourists can visit the site.

This, however, will change soon.

From January 2024, Peru will allow as many as 4,500 tourists every day at the site. That’s not all.

The officials also have plans to eventually increase the number to 5,600.

This move is being taken in order to boost the tourism industry of Peru which is still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.

Increasing the number of people allowed to the site might help in that respect.

According to an article which was recently published a news agency estimates suggest that merely 2.2 million people may visit Peru by the end of 2023.

This is less than 50 per cent when compared to pre-pandemic levels. Settled high in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Is It Ecologically Responsible?

Though it may provide impetus to the tourist industry, it is well worth asking if damage to this historic site is too high a cost to pay for it.

The entire reason why there is a limit to the number of tourists allowed to the site is to minimise the damage that results from erosion caused by tourists’ feet.

This erosion will increase significantly once more people are allowed.

What is more, the Urubamba River is polluted as heaps of garbage from hotels is disposed of in the river.

The number of hotels is also increasing to accommodate for the high tourist footfall.

This will only generate more waste which will increase the river pollution.

The hiking trail also is quite littered with garbage. An increase in footfall will only worsen the situation.

There is no denying that if officials don’t implement better means of waste management, irreversible damage will be incurred by Machu Picchu.

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