The Management Unit of the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu (UGM) has confirmed the increase in visitors to the llaqta or Inca citadel of Machupicchu; that means, the figure will climb from 3,044 to 4,044.
This measure will accelerate the reactivation of tourism in Cusco and throughout Peru, Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Roberto Sanchez announced.
“The capacity for admission to the llaqta or Inca citadel of Machupicchu will increase from 3,044 to 4,044 visitors per day following the approval of the proposal by the UGM Steering Committee, made up of Mincetur (Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism), Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Environment, Regional Government of Cusco, and Machupicchu District Municipality,” the Cabinet member stated.
The increase will be in effect automatically from the publication of the corresponding ministerial resolution by the Ministry of Culture and will be valid, exceptionally, until December 31, 2022.
“During this time, the measure of increase in capacity will be evaluated, all this based on the implementation of the commitments assumed by UGM member institutions,” he added.
The UGM meeting was also attended by Ministers Alejandro Salas (Culture) and Modesto Montoya (Environment), as well as Cusco Region Governor Jean Paul Benavente and Machupicchu Mayor Darwin Baca.
UNESCO Recommendation
Before the COVID-19 pandemic began in Peru, the Inca citadel used to welcome a maximum of 5,940 tourists a day.
In 2020 the Ministry of Culture, following a recommendation by UNESCO, reduced this figure to 2,244 guests.
However, considering the need to reactivate the tourism sector, without neglecting the recommendations by UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture has crafted a technical report which proposes to once again increase the capacity to 4,044 tourists per day.