13:26 | Cusco (Cusco region), Dec. 28.
Peruvian Culture Minister Rogers Valencia on Friday affirmed that an increase in the fee to visit the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu throughout 2019 has been ruled out.
This applies to both domestic and foreign tourists.
"The fees Peruvians pay to enter
Machu Picchu nowadays are promotional. There are flat and promotional fares, depending on the season. However, an increase has been ruled out for the moment," he affirmed.
This way, adult visitors coming from all over the country (except for
Cusco) will continue paying S/64 (around US$19) each, while university and non-university higher education students, school students, and children up to 12 years of age will pay S/32 (around US$9.40).
Valencia indicated there is an ongoing debate about the possibility of offering a promotional fee for a few months and days only.
"This is what we call visitor flow management, and several factors are taken into account to do this. The principal factor and main task is the conservation of
Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary," he told RPP radio and TV news station.
The minister also noted that the promotional campaign featuring a video clip of the song Mañana (Tomorrow) —by Colombian singer-songwriter Carlos Vives— is estimated to result in an economic impact of US$16 million.
"The effects are perceived and valued. The investment was less than US$500,000. So far, the impact of this investment is estimated to be US$16 million, thus providing profits and positive results for Peru," he expressed.
(END) LZD/MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 12/28/2018