I marvel at the stunning scenery of the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, one of South America’s most popular tourist destinations, against the blue sky as alpacas “mow the lawn. “Originally designed to house about 750 people in the Andes Mountains, the Incas abandoned Machu Picchu when the Spanish arrived in South America in the mid-16th century. It remained intact for centuries until it was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham III.
During my tour, I still couldn’t ask myself to what extent my footprint, among the millions of people who flock here, contributes to the sacrifices that this vital but fragile treasure represents for some economic benefits for Peruvians.
Millions of tourists have flocked to stopover at the extraordinary home of the Incas since the 1980s. When it was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, Machu Picchu recorded 145,566 stopovers.
By 2000, that figure surpassed 420,000, and by 2019 it reached its all-time high of 1,585,262 visitors, according to the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism. This year, more than two million tourists are estimated to visit Machu Picchu following the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, tourism has added to the adverse effects caused by the erosion of the ruins, in addition to the natural effects added by heavy rains and constant landslides. Cultural anthropologist Lynn Meisch said, “Vibrations at thousands of feet knock down walls and venturing tourists erode the soil. “
As a reaction to the influx of hikers year after year, which adds to the immense weight and pressure, Machu Picchu sinks between 2 and 3 cm each year, according to my tour guide. To curb the subsidence, UNESCO has advised blocking some spaces and limiting the number of daily visitors to 2,500, as hikers are also vandalizing and damaging the site.
Despite UNESCO’s recommendations, the Peruvian government has done nothing to restrict the daily capacity of tourists. In addition, with more than 130,000 citizens dependent on tourism in hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops, Machu Picchu has only increased its sales and has the cornerstone. of the Peruvian economy, generating more than $40 million in profits each year from the site’s initial fees alone. But is the damage caused by tourism valuable?
Given the apparent erosion and subsidence of Machu Picchu, it is very important for Peru to know the long-term consequences of the monetary gains derived from the preservation of this ancient wonder. The public’s desire to push for the preservation of Machu Picchu is more powerful than ever.
In 2022, former Foreign Minister Manuel Rodríguez Cuadro tweeted in Spanish: “The expansion to 5,000 tourists per day. . . violates foreign regulations that force Peru to maintain it, to destroy it. ” Cuadro added that this “paves the way for UNESCO to claim “It is a World Heritage Site in Danger. “
Other leaders like Cuadro push for preservation.
Prioritizing Preservation
My visit to Machu Picchu made me realize that tourism should not come at the expense of a nation’s natural and cultural history. Certainly, the economic benefits are undeniable, but it is imperative to find a balance at this precarious moment in history.
The implementation of sustainable measures by the Peruvian government to mitigate the negative impact on this historic site, the alleviation of the guest quota, and the awareness of the importance of guilty tourism would usher in a new mentality of respect among visitors and citizens that may only help curb Machu. The shipwreck of Picchu.
Here are some tactics to pave the way for the progress of this herbal monument. Until a more restorative way of stopover at Machu Picchu is discovered and implemented, finding a way to reduce operators’ daily stopover quota is a logical position to start. Balancing the source of income and preservation is challenging, but it leaves open the option of sharing an exclusive culture with the world and generations to come.
Other historical monuments, parks, and cultural sites like Machu Picchu, including the Galápagos Islands, suffer similar effects of a tourist economy and visitors who inadvertently contribute to the destruction of the environment and its biodiversity. The tradeoff of achieving overall lower revenue is worth ensuring a better future for all.
Each of us can play a role in preserving these beautiful places by staying informed and taking action, recognizing the lasting effect our visits have on these natural treasures. Resources are full of tactics to lessen the effects of our tourism footprint, including The National Geographic, The New York Times, and Wanderlust.
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