Residents and business owners called for a total strike to protest against the suspension of ticket sales to Machu Picchu. AFP
In July 2022, Peru increased the quota of daily visitors who could enter the Inca citadel from 4,044 to 5,044, after tourists complained about a lack of tickets. AFP
Demonstrators said the tickets are only being sold in Cusco, leaving those from the nearby town of Aguas Calientes unable to benefit from the surge of tourists. AFP
As travel rebounds in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, destinations around the world are struggling to handle rising demand. AFP
Peruvian and foreign tourists along with tourism workers gather in the streets of the Machu Picchu town. AFP
Challenges are particularly pertinent at historical sites where authorities must balance queues of tourists with preservation and protection. AFP
Tickets to enter Macchu Pichu are priced at about $60 for international visitors and $26 for Peruvians. AFP
There has been a steady increase in visitors to the Unesco World Heritage site since it reopened in October 2020. AFP
The government of Peru increased capacity at the site twice in 2022. Photo: Tomas Sobek / Unsplash
In July, the Ministry of Culture officially increased the daily capacity by 1,000 people. Photo: Junior Moran / Unsplash
The country’s minister of foreign trade and tourism, Roberto Sanchez Palomino, tweeted the number of visitors would be further increased to 5,044 per day. Photo: Nathalie Marquis / Unsplash
The citadel was built in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary for the Incas at an altitude of 2,490 metres. Photo: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos / Unsplash
The United Nations has described it as “probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height". Photo: Jair Garciaferro / Unsplash
