The global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 Coronavirus has undoubtedly left the tourism industry devastated. Experts in the world economy warn that it will be the worst year for this sector and it will be very difficult to get up from this hard economic blow. In Peru, tourism has an impact of 7% on GDP and is one of the sectors that grow the most year after year and according to the latest statistics from INEI in 2019, it employs 11% of the national population.
In the last days years, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world has been the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, according to «El Comercio» sources the fifth wonder of the world received more than four thousand tourists a day in the highest eras and more than two thousand in the least favorable, however after the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus these figures fell to zero.
No reopening date
Despite the fact that the reopening date of Machu Picchu is uncertain, a month ago, during the inspection visit of protocols in the Inca citadel, the regional governor of Cusco, Jean-Paul Benavente, explained that the Historic Sanctuary is projected to receive 75 visitors per hour, that is to say, a total of 675 daily visitors, and they will enter the sanctuary in groups of 8 people including a tour guide. This measure will be mandatory during the first phase of its reactivation.
The Regional Directorate for Culture announced that the 675 visitors per day projected to receive one of the most revered wonders in the world, represent only 30% of the 2,442 of the maximum carrying capacity of visitors. Later and gradually, it will gradually fulfill the capacity established in the ministerial resolution of the Ministry of Culture.