Peru will conduct a new study to determine Machu Picchu’s capacity to receive visitors

It will facilitate better decision-making regarding tourist flow and heritage conservation

Machu Picchu, located in the Urubamba province of Cusco, is Peru’s iconic tourist destination. ANDINA/Difusión

10:44 | Lima, oct. 20.

Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Rogers Valencia announced that an updated "Carrying Capacity and Limit of Acceptable Change" study will be conducted for the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary.

He noted that this research will provide a technical and scientific foundation for making informed decisions regarding the management of the destination—specifically concerning visitor flow, heritage conservation, and the quality of tourism services.

This was stated during a recent regular session of the Steering Committee of the Machu Picchu Management Unit (UGM), where the head of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) reaffirmed the sector’s commitment to the comprehensive management, conservation, and sustainability of the historic sanctuary.

Additionally, the committee reviewed the status of the Hiram Bingham Highway—the primary access route connecting the town of Machu Picchu with the Inca citadel—along with other priority issues for the comprehensive and sustainable management of the destination.

Minister Valencia highlighted the coordinated efforts among the ministries involved in the UGM, aimed at strengthening the comprehensive management of the sanctuary and ensuring its long-term conservation and sustainability.

The session was attended by the Regional Governor of Cusco, Werner Salcedo, who chairs the UGM; the Minister of Culture, Alberto Beingolea; the Minister of the Environment, Vladimiro Huaroc; and the Mayor of the Machu Picchu District, Elvis La Torre.

Also in attendance were the Vice Minister of Tourism, Liz Chirinos; the Vice Minister for Strategic Development of Natural Resources, William Fernando León; the Executive President of the National Service of State-Protected Natural Areas (SERNANP by its acronym in Spanish), José Carlos Nieto.

Also, representatives from the technical teams of the participating entities. The UGM is the multisectoral coordination body tasked with promoting the integrated management, conservation, sustainable use, and protection of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary.