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Protesters blocked access to the Inca site in Peru due to a new ticketing system. Tourists have been evacuated, but riots may still break out. Here’s what you want to know.
By Mitra Taj
Hundreds of tourists were stranded near Machu Picchu, Peru’s top tourist attraction over the weekend, after protesters blocked rail and bus lines leading to the city and shut down local department stores and restaurants in Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu in the Cusco region. He posted videos on social media asking for help. Police evacuated about 700 tourists on Saturday. Many were left without seeing the Array
The protesters had taken to the streets on Thursday to demand the government rescind a contract that allows a company to sell tickets to Machu Picchu for the first time. Tickets had previously been sold through the office of culture in Cuzco, which is controlled by the regional government.
Protesters agreed to a 24-hour “truce” on Tuesday to take part in talks with government officials. While Machu Picchu is officially open, train service to Aguas Calientes and buses that take tourists to the citadel remain suspended. The U.S. Embassy advised travelers who want to try to reach the site by other means to make sure they take enough food and any medicine they might need.
Machu Picchu, a haven of 15th-century Inca royalty, gained about 2. 2 million climbers last year, down from 4. 6 million before the pandemic. Peru is seeking to inspire tourists to stop at other ancient sites, in part to avoid overcrowding, which UNESCO says could damage parts of its structure.
Protesters include tour operators, guides, activists and residents in the region of Cuzco. They are opposed to a private company profiting from sales of tickets to Machu Picchu and claim that the company, Joinnus, an events marketing platform, was chosen to administer the sales last year through a corrupt deal with the culture minister, Leslie Urteaga, which she denies.
Elvis La Torre, the mayor of Aguas Calientes, said the government had consulted the local government or citizens about the new online system.
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