The National Chamber of Tourism of Peru calls for dialogue and reconsiderat

The National Chamber of Tourism of Peru calls for dialogue and reconsideration of the carrying capacity at Machu Picchu

05-11-24

The Peruvian National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR PERU) has issued a statement to the public expressing its position on Ministerial Resolution No. 000404-2024, issued by the Ministry of Culture, which establishes the maximum capacity of visitors allowed in Machu Picchu for the year 2025. Although the measure, which limits daily visitation to 5,600 visitors in high season and 4,500 the rest of the year, is a step in the country's tourism planning, CANATUR has expressed its concern about the lack of dialogue with key stakeholders involved in the management of the site.

CANATUR considers that the decision of the Ministry of Culture was unilateral and did not take into account the opinion of the Machu Picchu Management Unit, which has also expressed its dissatisfaction with this resolution. The National Chamber of Tourism highlights that the limited discussion among the relevant entities generates concerns about the sustainability of the measure and its impact on the experience of visitors and the development of tourism in the country.

“The carrying capacity of Machu Picchu should be reviewed based on a thorough analysis and an open discussion with all those involved,” stated the Executive Council of CANATUR in its communiqué. For the guild, it is essential that this measure be based on international parameters applied in other UNESCO heritage sites, such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, where inclusive management has allowed not only to preserve the heritage, but also to improve the experience of tourists.

In addition, CANATUR highlighted the central role of Machu Picchu in the recovery of tourism in Peru, considering it an engine of employment and development for local communities. In this context, the Chamber stresses that a well-founded and consensual decision on carrying capacity could contribute to a positive and sustainable impact, allowing tourism to become a tool for social transformation.

The statement includes a public call to the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) to establish an open dialogue on this measure. CANATUR reaffirms its willingness to contribute to a consultation process that considers both the needs of the tourism sector and the preservation of Machu Picchu. The Chamber proposes that decisions on the flow of visitors be aligned with international best practices, so that Machu Picchu continues to be an icon of sustainable tourism and an example of good heritage management.

CANATUR's statement comes at a crucial time, given that decisions on Machu Picchu's carrying capacity could directly affect the economic recovery of Peru's tourism sector, especially after the crisis generated by the pandemic. The Chamber of Tourism hopes that its request for dialogue will be heard and that, with the participation of all stakeholders, a solution will be reached that benefits local communities, preserves the heritage and offers visitors a unique experience at one of the world's most emblematic sites.

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