2.3 Rural hotspot: Machu Picchu

Tourism resources in Machu Picchu

The heritage sites that form the primary resources are densely concentrated in the Inca City of Machu Picchu. Meanwhile, the secondary resources are located very far from the primary resources. They are densely concentrated in the town of Aguas Calientes, northeast of Inca City. Bus shuttles are the main transport to the primary tourist resources.

Primary tourist resources

* El Templo del Sol
* Huayna Picchu
* Intihuatana 
* El Templo del Cóndor
* Water Mirrors

Secondary tourist resources

* Inkaterra Machu Picchu  Pueblo (hotel)
* Sumaq Machu Picchu (hotel)
* Tree House Restaurant 
* Julian Restaurant
* Estación de Machu Picchu

Trend in tourism

Number of visitors is increasing massively each year

* reached 1 million in 2011, and only increased ever since
* peak tourist season in June to August, when the weather is at its best

Problems of rising tourism

* deforestation
* risk of landslides
* uncontrolled urban development
* illegal access to sanctuary

Management strategies

All foreign visitors must:

* hire an official guide to enter the Inca Citadel; this helps to ensure hat hikers abide by trail conservation rules
* follow one of the three predetermined routes through the complex
* face time limits at specific points to keep the traffic flowing
* limit of 500 people daily on the Inca Trail (reduced from 1000)