Machu Picchu has reopened to tourists after violent protests caused its 'indefinite' closure. AFP
Machu Picchu has reopened to tourists after violent protests caused its 'indefinite' closure. AFP
Machu Picchu has reopened to tourists after violent protests caused its 'indefinite' closure. AFP
Machu Picchu has reopened to tourists after violent protests caused its 'indefinite' closure. AFP

Machu Picchu reopens to tourists to the relief of local guides


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

Peru's most famous landmark, Machu Picchu, has reopened to tourists after almost a month-long closure caused by violent protests against the country's new president.

"The reopening means that tour operators may fully resume sending clients to Machu Picchu," Manuel Sanchez-Palacios, who works for Peru for Less, confirmed to The National.

A circular from the country's Ministry of Culture said the site could reopen from Wednesday "under the same conditions, schedules and circuits established".

"This decision reaffirms the importance to opt for dialogue and peace," it said.

The site and famous Incan trail hike leading up to it were closed last month "indefinitely" as protests raged, leaving many citizens and tourists stranded for hours due to railway damage.

Protests continue in Lima, the country's capital, and other regions in the south, but officials promised to ensure the site and transport links leading to it are safe.

"Now that Peru's prized site is now open, we are hopeful that travellers will be more inclined to travel here," he adds. "This is positive news for all agencies and operators."

Protesters have been demanding the resignation of Peru's President Dina Boluarte, since she was sworn in in December after serving as vice president, with 59 deaths reported as a result. They want her predecessor, the ousted left-wing Pedro Castillo, to be released from jail where he's facing charges of rebellion and conspiracy.

While the site was closed, demand for travel to the country dropped "dramatically", says Sanchez-Palacios, whose company, which experienced a deluge of cancellations following the closure, began offering customers solutions such as lower fees, extended or transferable travel credit and alternative itineraries with other brands in the group.

"Sadly, this will affect tourism for the next few months and all people involved," Sanchez-Palacios told The National at the time. "This includes everyone from the local artisan who depends on selling handmade goods to tourists, to the tour guides and then larger agencies like us.

"As a country, we are hurting socially and politically, and seeing the image of Peru being damaged as well is painful," he added. "I know this is a dream destination for many travellers, and as a Peruvian, I only want to share the beauty of experiencing my country."

How to keep control of your emotions

If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.

Greed

Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.

Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.

Fear

The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.

Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.

Hope

While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.

Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.

Frustration

Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.

Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.

Boredom

Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.

Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.

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Updated: February 16, 2023, 6:02 AM