Machu Picchu’s ‘Wonder of the World’ status is at risk
Warning overtourism is threatening one of the world’s ‘New 7 Wonders’
- The New 7 Wonders of the World organisation has warned that Peru's Machu Picchu risks losing "credibility" as a wonder due to concerns over mismanagement, overtourism, and instability.
- The warning follows recent protests by locals regarding transport concessions, which resulted in around 900 tourists being stranded near the ancient Inca citadel.
- Jean-Paul de la Fuente, director of the New 7 Wonders Foundation, said that unaddressed high tourism pressure could damage the site's historical heritage and Peru's image.
- The Peruvian Ministry of Culture, however, said Unesco is the only competent body for heritage preservation and that Machu Picchu is not currently on Unesco's "World Heritage in Danger" list.
- Machu Picchu was awarded the "New Wonder of the World" title in 2007 and has been a designated Unesco World Heritage site since 1983.