The train route to Machu Picchu has been reopened by Peruvian officials following a resolution to end over a week of demonstrations that were obstructing entrance to the renowned Incan destination and leaving tourists stranded.
According to a statement from PeruRail, limited train service resumed on Wednesday and a full service will resume on Thursday for travel from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, a town near the historic site.
Last week, demonstrations started due to a newly implemented ticketing system, preventing numerous tourists from accessing the elevated ancient ruins in the Andes.
The demonstrators expressed concern that the implementation of the new electronic ticketing system would harm small businesses by giving control of ticket sales to a single private company approved by the ministry of culture.
The streets, hotels, and restaurants near Peru’s top tourist destination were abandoned due to the blockade.
Roger Monzón, a staff member at the Inkas Land hotel in the Machu Picchu district, remarked that it feels like the time of the Covid-19 pandemic due to the lack of people. Currently, the 18-room hotel is only accommodating two tourists from Portugal.
On Wednesday, the two parties entered into an agreement that includes a transition phase towards the new platform.
Peru’s Minister of Culture, Leslie Urteaga, stated in a recent radio interview that we must take action to revitalize our economy.
Organizations in charge of safeguarding the Unesco world heritage site have raised concerns about excessive crowds and tickets being sold beyond capacity. As travel resumes following the Covid outbreak, authorities are seeking solutions to regulate the number of visitors.
Source: theguardian.com
