Machu Picchu Visitor Numbers Could Be Slashed

Machu Picchu, the 'lost' Inca City at the end of the Inca Trail may be limited to 500 visitors a day according to the Guardian who got the story from Peruvian paper, El Commercio.

The Peruvian National Institute of Culture is reportedly considering halving the number of permitted visitors from 1,000 to 500 per day as part of a plan to curb 'tourism damage and uncontrolled development' in the world heritage site. Statistics show that there were some 238,644 visits in the first eight months of this year.

Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail have become a focus for ecological concerns over the past few years. Until recently there were no real controls on the numbers of trekkers on the Inca Trail, but new government regulations limit both the numbers allowed on the trail and oblige walkers to use an accredited guide.

In addition concerns about litter and damage to ancient ruins have become a hot issue. The South American Explorers organise an annual clear-up of the trail and the situation has reportedly improved dramatically compared to, say, five years ago.

The problem for the Peruvian authorities is balancing the tourist income from trekkers and visitors to Machu Picchu and Cuzco against the need to preserve the ecology of the area and protect ancient ruins from damage.