91% of tourists cancelled travel to Cusco and Machu Picchu due to protests and blocking of access to tourist spots (Diario El Sol del Cusco [Spanish] - 2/3/2023)

91% of tourists cancelled travel to Cusco and Machu Picchu due to protests and blocking of access to tourist spots (Spanish)

Drops in tourist income occurred in Cusco, 91%; Arequipa, 82%; Puno, 95%; and Tacna, 72%.


In mid-January, the Cusco Chamber of Commerce warned that the road blockades and protests in that Region had caused more than 90% of tourist reservations scheduled until the end of March to be cancelled, causing millions in losses for the tourism sector. Added to this, according to official figures from the National Migration Superintendence, less than half of the number of foreigners (down 59.1%) entered the country in January compared to the same month of 2020 (before the start of the pandemic).

The south of the country is the most affected, according to figures cited by the daily Gestión. The drop in tourist income occurred in: Cusco, 91%; Arequipa, 82%; Puno, 95%; and Tacna, 72%. All these are Regions where the demonstrations and clashes between demonstrators and the Police have been more violent. Even in Lima, the gateway for most visitors who later travel to other areas of the country, the drop was 41%.

Peru attracted 4.5 million tourists a year before the Covid-19 Pandemic. The sector was expected to recover in 2022 and 2023, but the latest political crisis in Peru has prevented that. In the month of January, only 584 visitors entered Cusco.

Inca Trail closed in February, Machu Picchu remains closed.

The Decentralized Directorate of Culture (DDC) of Cusco and the National Service of Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp) confirmed that from February 1 to 28 the network of Inca Trails to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu will be closed to visitors for maintenance. Entry of tourists to Machu Picchu itself has been suspended since January 21, 2023, after the closure of the Inca citadel by the Ministry of Culture (MINCUL), due to the ongoing National Strike being observed against the government.

Both headquarters informed tour operators, agencies, tour guides, support staff and the public about the temporary closure of this tourist and cultural attraction.

Tags: #Peru #Cusco #Tourism #Protests #MachuPicchu

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