A local collective claims the contracted company, Joinnus, stands to earn millions in annual commissions.
MACHU PICCHU: Visitors to the iconic site of Machu Picchu in Peru were greeted by protesters angry at the government for privatizing the sale of price tickets at the Inca citadel.
Launching what they called an “indefinite strike,” tour operators and citizens closed and blocked the tracks of a hiking train, forcing others on board to put on raincoats and walk the remaining 3 kilometers to the entrance.
“We are against the systematic privatisation of Machu Picchu. The people are not in agreement; this (ticketing) company was contracted illegally,” community representative Darwin Baca told AFP.
The demonstrators banged on drums, waved flags, and demanded the minister of culture resign.
A collective says the company that won the contract to sell the tickets, Joinnus, will earn up to $3. 2 million a year in commissions thanks to the new system, which went into effect on Saturday.
In the late afternoon, police used tear gas to disperse an organisation of protesters blocking the train tracks, an AFP journalist at the scene reported. Authorities have reported arrests.
Railway operator Trans-Andean Railway announced that it will suspend service between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu due to clashes between protesters and police.
“We have followed this measure in front of passengers and railway staff and after taking note of the call for additional protest movements by social organizations,” the company said in a statement.
Tourists described their routes as disrupted by the protest.
“In a way, we perceive the explanation of why the unemployment is happening but, as tourists, we are paying for a service or a stopover and it is a little difficult for us to cross the unemployment,” said Colombian tourist María José Medrano.
The Ministry of Culture, however, stated on social networks that visits to Machu Picchu are taking place “with total normality. “
Ana Peña, an adviser to the Ministry of Culture, said the ticketing formula aims to maintain and control the number of visitors to the popular ancient site.
“There is no privatization. We will have to make sure that everyone who enters our citadel is absolute,” he said.
“There is a danger that Machu Picchu will be removed from the UNESCO World Heritage List,” given that an “excess of visitors” can lead to deterioration, he said.
Last September, Peru temporarily closed three sectors of Machu Picchu due to the impact of the increased volume of visitors to the site.
Located northwest of the city of Cusco, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century at an altitude of 2,500 m by order of the Inca ruler Pachacutec.
It is considered a marvel of architecture and engineering and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Tourism is key to Peru’s economy, as the country attracted around 4. 5 million people before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
The number of entrances to the citadel has risen to 4,500 since the start of this month, from a peak of 3,800 previously.