The Issue of Over-Tourism at Machu Picchu

Introduction of Tourism & Over-tourism

Tourism is the world’s largest industry preserving and managing the natural environment and become the most important strategy future growth and development of the tourism industry (Edgell, D. L. 2016). It is one of the major service industry as well as source of job creations. Its contribution to both Gross Domestic Profit and Gross National Profit increasing involved; investment in tourism infrastructure: buildings, transport services, services at destination.

As tourism is a fast growing than rest of economy in terms of export, import, value added, capital investment as well as enjoyment (UNWTO 2015 Annual Report). Adequately managing tourism enhances and enriches its natural, heritage and culture values and embraces the need to preserve them so that the community and visitor have a quality tourism experience now and in the future. Sustainable tourism, properly managed, can become a major vehicle for the realisation of humankind’s highest aspirations in the quest to achieve economic prosperity while maintaining social, cultural, and environmental integrity (Edgell, D. L. 2016).

Overtourism have made headlines in recent times. With the massive growth in visitors leading to overcrowding the Historical Park, it has lead to changes in the amenities and the well-being. They reflect challenges of managing growing tourism flows into urban destinations and the impact of tourism on cities and its residents. Under the UNESCO World Heritage List, The Historic Sanctuary – National Archaeological Park of Machupicchu (SHM-PANM) is a cultural and natural area inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. With an extension of 37302 hectares, it is one of the most biodiverse areas in Peru and harbors more than 60 archaeological monuments linked by a complex Inka road network. It was designated as UNESCO’s World Heritage site in 1983 as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Over-tourism & Machu Picchu

The Quechua term Machu Picchu basically translates into 'Old Mountain' or 'Old Peak'. As a place name, the term initially referred to the name of a mountain located on the eastern slope of the southern Peruvian Andes about 70 km east of the city of Cusco. However, over time and through a multifaceted social process, a political district, a rural town, an archaeological site, and a nature reserve also came to be called Machu Picchu.

The district was established in 1941, some 40 years prior to the state's creation of the historical and natural sanctuary, 42 years before it was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List. The district comprises a town (pueblo) which is the capital, and four major rural farming communities. 1 Like the district, the town capital is also called Machu Picchu or el Pueblo de Machu Picchu; many in Peru and even in the city of Cusco, not to mention foreigners, often refer to it as Aguas Calientes (Hot Springs). In addition, Machu Picchu refers to the famous Citadel. The Citadel of Machu Picchu rests on a ridge cradling the mountains Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu (Luciano 2005).

UNESCO had first recommended a daily limit of 2500 visitors, a significant numbers that would ensure the sustainability of the site and allow the site to be adequately policed for misbehaving tourists. “Many tourists do things they shouldn’t do,”. “For example, some people climb the structures. Some take the stones. Some mark up the floor, do things they shouldn’t. … It’s chaos.” said Nelson Huaman Quispe, a Machu Picchu tour guide quoted by the Chicago Tribune.

Since 2007, Machu Picchu has been recommended under the UNESCO’s World Heritage as “in danger” due to the increasing of visitors each year. Buses packed with visitors zigzag up and down the road leads to over tourism for The Historical Sanctuary. The massive growth of visitors leads to overcrowding in areas where residents suffer the consequences of temporary and seasonal tourism peaks, which have enforced permanent changes to their lifestyles, access to amenities and general well- being” (Milano et al., 2018). With the mass tourism disruption of the traditional cultural, diminished the natural beauty and environment. In 2008, more than 5000 visitors visited the historical site daily during the peak season between July and August. It has exceeded the recommended numbers of daily visitors by UNESCO’s World Heritage.

Instead of reducing visitor numbers visiting to the site, the Peruvian Ministry of Culture introduced a new system to better distribute tourists throughout the day, while increasing the daily visitor limit of 5940 people – over double the UNESCO recommendation. Under the new laws, entrance will be split into two times, a morning (06.00 – 12.00) and afternoon (12.00 – 17.30) session. Visitors will have a maximum of 4 hours to visit the site. Afternoon tickets will be sold at a reduced rate to encourage more visitors in the afternoon and even out visitor numbers throughout the day. Morning visits will be capped at 3,267 people, while afternoon visits will be capped at 2673 people. Visitors must be accompanied by an official or licensed guide with group sizes capped at 16 people. The Ministerial Resolution also stipulates the creation of 3 defined routes. The route will be defined when purchasing the ticket and visitors will not be allowed to leave these defined areas.

Conclusion

With the increase of tourist, it has also increasing a fair share of significant revenue for Peruvian’s economy. To up keep the increasing growth, the government come up with new strategy by implementing new system to keep the crowd in control as well as safety measure in placed. The w new system helps to fairly spread put the numbers of visitors by implementing visiting time and allow the security on site to better manage the crowd.

It seems like the Peruvian Government is trying to do whatever it can to not reduce visitor numbers to 2500 a day as recommended by UNESCO. Reducing visitor numbers would allow for a better visitor experience without the added restrictions.The Peruvian Ministry of Culture has hinted at future restrictions after 2 years. In today’s interconnected world, culture's power to transform societies is clear. Its diverse manifestations – from cherishing the historic monuments and museums to traditional practices and contemporary art forms – enrich our everyday lives in countless ways. Heritage constitutes a source of identity and cohesion for communities disrupted by bewildering change and economic instability. Creativity contributes to building open, inclusive and pluralistic societies. Both heritage and creativity lay the foundations for vibrant, innovative and prosperous knowledge society.