What Impact Has Tourism Had On Machu Picchu?

Tourism has significantly impacted Machu Picchu, an ancient city in Peru, both positively and negatively. The site was awarded Unesco World Heritage status in 1983 but has long suffered from overtourism, which has led to pollution problems, soil erosion, and damage to the ancient ruins and local agriculture. Peru’s government announced that it will allow more tourists to Machu Picchu from next year, but this growth has also led to the development of pollution issues due to human waste contaminating rivers and garbage littering the area.

The pandemic has spurred changes to Machu Picchu, some of which may last long after the global outbreak ends. Over-tourism has led to the loss of traditional values and culture through imitation of visitor behavior or cultural diffusion resulting from normal interactions. The tourism of Machu Picchu has become a major source of income for the Peruvian government, but its ever-growing presence risks harming the city and the fragile site.

Machu Picchu faces various threats, including excessive tourism, solid waste generation, and unsustainable practices. Tourists have been deported and arrested in the past for sneaking into Machu Picchu outside of visiting hours and causing damage. The ground of Machu Picchu is slowly being eroded everyday at the costs of over 2500 daily tourists. Peru announced on Thursday that it would be suspending tourist visits to parts of Machu Picchu due to the erosion of certain stone structures. Overtourism in Machu Picchu causes deforestation, erosion, and pollution if handled incorrectly.

What is the biggest threat to Machu Picchu?

Urbanization in the surrounding area, including Cusco, is causing erosion of Inca ruins like Machu Picchu. Visitors are threatening the surviving stone structures and platforms, which have survived wars, earthquakes, and bad weather. However, UNESCO is the only organization that can declare a monument at risk, and plans to expand the entrance to Machu Picchu pose no threat to the region’s conservation. Travelers should understand the impact of their actions on the environment and research the influence their trip will have on culture, people, and the environment.

Adventure companies like Mountain Lodges of Peru, which uses local operators, environmentally friendly lodges, and sustainable tourism methods, ensure minimal impact on the environment and Machu Picchu, ensuring the preservation of Peru’s beautiful landscapes for future generations.

Is Machu Picchu overrun with tourists?

In response to the deterioration of select stone structures within the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, Peru has temporarily restricted tourist access to certain areas of the site. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, Machu Picchu has been the subject of extensive research and conservation efforts.

How did tourism affect Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu, a sacred site in Peru, faces significant challenges due to its steep slopes, frequent erosion, and frequent landslides. The recovery of original terraces helps stabilize the slopes and ensure conservation, but it is costly. Timber has been cut along the Inca trail for cooking fuel, and forest fires have threatened the site. Until now, visitors have been controlled through railways, but plans to build a road from Cuzco and a cable car could cause irreparable harm.

Why was Machu Picchu abandoned?

The Inca Empire, a civilization that thrived between the 15th and 16th centuries, held Machu Picchu as one of their most sacred sites. The city, built in the mid-15th century, is a testament to the architectural prowess and advanced civilization of the ancient Inca Empire. One theory suggests that diseases brought by Spanish conquistadors, such as smallpox and influenza, devastated the Inca population, leading to a drastic decline in the inhabitants and contributing to its eventual abandonment.

The Incas, known for their remarkable architecture, agriculture, and societal organization, ruled over a vast territory stretching across present-day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and parts of Chile and Argentina. At its peak, the empire boasted a highly sophisticated society with a centralized government, an extensive road network, and awe-inspiring architectural achievements.

Is Machu Picchu safe to visit now?

Machu Picchu is a safe area to visit, but altitude sickness and proper gear are essential for safety. The Inca Trail hikes in Machu Picchu offer steep inclines and uneven terrain, so politeness is key. Local governments and tourism operators ensure the safety of their communities, especially in tourist areas like Cusco and Machu Picchu. Having a guide is beneficial, especially if you don’t speak Spanish, as they can provide advice on safe areas, especially in the city center of Lima. Peru is experiencing an exciting time with tourism returning, with guides and hotel staff being genuinely happy to welcome tourists.

How does tourism affect Peru?

The Inca Trail faces environmental issues due to camping activities, soil deterioration, loss of exotic vegetation, and isolation of natural fauna. Increased visitors generate solid waste, deforestation, environmental pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, slope erosion, and landslides. In 2013, SERNANP collected 1, 360 kilos of waste from the Inca Trail, with 136 workers and young volunteers from Cusco participating in a campaign to clean the trail.

In 2014, the inorganic waste collected by park rangers was reduced to 950 kilos, thanks to awareness campaigns and the commitment of local people, visitors, public and private institutions. SERNANP is responsible for protecting the natural environment and landscape of the Inca Trail, conserving natural ecosystems, native flora and fauna species, and restoring them if necessary. It also seeks to conserve the use of ecosystems, soils, water, and constructions from the Inca culture and its predecessors.

Is Machu Picchu safe to travel now?

Machu Picchu is a safe area to visit, but altitude sickness and proper gear are essential for safety. The Inca Trail hikes in Machu Picchu offer steep inclines and uneven terrain, so politeness is key. Local governments and tourism operators ensure the safety of their communities, especially in tourist areas like Cusco and Machu Picchu. Having a guide is beneficial, especially if you don’t speak Spanish, as they can provide advice on safe areas, especially in the city center of Lima. Peru is experiencing an exciting time with tourism returning, with guides and hotel staff being genuinely happy to welcome tourists.

How many tourists does Machu Picchu attract?

Machu Picchu, the most visited tourist destination in South America, attracts 1. 5 million visitors annually, with a steady increase from 1. 6 million in 2018 to 1. 5 million in 2019. However, the number significantly decreased during the coronavirus pandemic, with 270, 000 visitors in 2020 and 450, 000 in 2021. In 2022, it saw a slight recovery with 980, 000 domestic and international visitors. The Peruvian economy generates an estimated $40 million annually from visitors from Chile, the United States, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil, with European, Asian, and Central American tourists accounting for 20 percent of total visitors.

Why has Machu Picchu been closed to tourists?

The COVID-19 pandemic caused Machu Picchu to temporarily close in February, a two-year closure, until its reopening on July 20, 2021. Despite potential closures, Machu Picchu’s allure and importance make it a captivating destination. Visitors should plan their visit accordingly, considering seasonal dynamics and external factors. The Inca Trail, which has been closed since 2002, temporarily closes its doors in February due to rainy conditions.

Regardless of the season, Machu Picchu remains open year-round, welcoming travelers throughout the year. It is essential to stay informed and plan your visit accordingly, considering seasonal dynamics and potential external factors.

What are the economic benefits of tourism in Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu, the Inca city in Peru, is a significant economic hub, generating an estimated $40 million per year in entry fees alone. However, its increasing popularity and profitability are also causing ecological, political, and socioeconomic problems for the country. Visitors, who provide funding for the city’s maintenance, are causing damage to the city and the environment. Vibrations from thousands of feet are loosening walls and eroded soil. In 1982, archaeologists had to rope off the city’s Intihuatana, an astronomic clock, due to people climbing it, carving initials, and chipping off rocks for souvenirs.

What is responsible tourism in Machu Picchu?

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a responsible tourism experience that involves protecting the flora and fauna of the area, respecting the cultural aspects of the trip, and complying with the rules in Machupicchu. Visitors must enjoy the walk while respecting the environment and the diversity of flora and fauna. They should not leave trash anywhere other than designated trash cans in authorized campgrounds, and should keep garbage with them until a bin is found.

They should not damage or uproot flowers and plants along the way, especially orchids, which have 300 varieties on the Inca Trail. Additionally, they should not disturb or remove wildlife species found along the trail, such as the spectacled bear, Andean deer, river wolf, cock-of-the-rocks, torrent duck, Andean frog, giant hummingbird, and hundreds of types of butterflies. The biggest problem is garbage, which can be addressed by collecting and disposing of non-combustible garbage left by visitors. The South American Explorers Club has organized a cleaning of the route to address this issue.