Peru’s Machu Picchu introduces new permit system
Tourists planning trips to Peru’s most famous visitor attraction, Machu Picchu, must apply for a new permit from July 1.
Under the new system, each permit will only allow visitors to remain at the ruins for half a day, either from 6am to midday or from midday to 5.30pm.
Those who want to stay for a whole day must buy two permits.
Permits must be bought online from the Machu Picchu website or from local or UK tour operator.
From July 1, visitors will only be allowed to enter the site with an official guide and each guide will be allowed a maximum of 16 clients.
Latin America specialist Journey Latin America believes that Machu Picchu will remain just as popular as it was prior to the new system and will allow authorities to closely manage footfall around the site whilst controlling visitor flow.
Latin American Travel Association (LATA) CEO Tony Mason said: "LATA brings together a number of Peruvian tour operators who organise tours to Machu Picchu and also has a wealth of experience working with Peru’s officialtourism body, PromPeru.
"Machu Picchu is one of Peru’s most important tourist sites, attracting millions of visitors every year. We anticipate that the new system introduced by the Ministry of Culture will regulate the flow of travellers entering the site and help to preserve the authenticity of this national treasure.
"This new system emphasises the importance of tourism to Peru as well as the efforts being made by governments to improve the visitor experience at the destinations’ tourist attractions."
For the first six months of the new permit system, Machu Picchu entry tickets booked using the old system for visit between July and December 2017 will be honoured.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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