Riots in Peru scare tourists away from Machu Picchu

The entrance door to Machu Picchu has been closed since January 21, when the Peruvian authorities ordered to remove access to the historic site due to the wave of protests that has shaken the country since December.

Thousands of demonstrators have mobilized towards Lima, the capital of Peru, throughout January, to participate in the violent protests demanding the departure of Dina Boluarte and the closing of the Congress, this after the dismissal of Pedro Castillo, on December 7, who tried to dissolve Parliament when the Constitution did not allow it.

Although Dina Boluarte asked Congress to advance the presidential elections, the institution rejected the advance initiative with 45 votes in favour, 65 against and two abstentions.

In the midst of the political crisis, the tourism sector has been one of the most affected. The economy of the Andean country is based largely on tourisman important source of employment that attracted some 4.5 million visitors before the pandemic.

The crisis is costing the country 25 million soles a day (about 6.5 million dollars)with an 83% drop in hotel occupancy, according to figures from the Ministry of Tourism.

Abel Alberto Matto Leiva, regional director of tourism, explains that in Cuzco “75% of the population works directly or indirectly with tourism, 900 tour guides, 5,000 porters” during the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Between hotels, restaurants and means of transport there are more than 20,000 unemployed due to the situation in Peru.

“We are in free fall and we don’t know when it will stop,” considers Henry Yabar, vice president of the Cuzco hotel chamber, which has also closed its establishment, a three-star hotel with some 15 rooms.

In the midst of the crisis, some 14,000 local artisans should see their opportunities drastically reduced, according to the authorities.

(YO)