Machu Picchu Tourists Stranded: Protests and Blockades
- Here's a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, focusing on the situation surrounding Machu Picchu and tourist access:
- * disrupted Access: Access to Machu Picchu is severely disrupted due to protests and damage to the railway.
- * Stranded Tourists: Approximately 900 tourists are still stranded and need to return to Cusco.
Here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, focusing on the situation surrounding Machu Picchu and tourist access:
The Situation:
* disrupted Access: Access to Machu Picchu is severely disrupted due to protests and damage to the railway.
* Cause of Protest: The protests stem from a dispute over a bus concession.the previous company (Bus Cancetur) no longer has the contract to transport tourists from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu. the new company commissioned by Urubamba cannot operate due to opposition from Aguas Calientes.
* Railway Damage: “Third parties” have damaged the railway line with excavations, further hindering evacuation efforts.
Tourist Impact:
* Stranded Tourists: Approximately 900 tourists are still stranded and need to return to Cusco. Another 100 who planned to visit Machu picchu are unable to travel.
* Evacuations: 1,400 tourists were able to return to Cusco by train after the railway was temporarily unlocked. An additional 156 were evacuated overnight.
* Injuries: 14 people were injured during a clash between police and protesters on Monday night.
Key Players/Information:
* Desilú León: Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, providing updates on the situation.
* Perurail (Transandino Railroad): The railway company, reporting the damage to the tracks.
* Aguas Calientes & Urubamba: The towns involved in the dispute over the bus concession.
* Machu Picchu: built in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary,located in the peruvian Amazon at 2490 meters altitude. It generates over 66,000 jobs.
* Ongoing Issues: Machu Picchu faces ongoing issues with ticket availability,informal services,and road blockages due to local discontent over tourism benefits.
Current Status:
The railroad remains interrupted, and authorities are working to safely evacuate the remaining tourists. The situation is ongoing and sensitive due to the risk to tourist safety and the underlying dispute over local benefits from tourism.