Peru has announced its plans to increase the daily number of visitors to Machu Picchu.
Currently, only 3,800 tourists are allowed to enter the famous tourist attraction every day.
Starting from January, this limit will be raised to 4,500 visitors per day, with the possibility of further increasing it to 5,600 on specific dates.
Officials emphasize that the conservation of the historic sanctuary remains a top priority.
This decision comes as Peru’s tourism industry struggles to recover from the impact of COVID-19.
Estimates indicate that by the end of this year, approximately 2.2 million people will have visited the South American nation, representing a decrease of more than 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Andes mountains.
The enigmatic Inca citadel, constructed in the 1400s, consists of three main structures: Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows.
Even before the recent increase in visitor numbers, there were concerns about potential damage to its ancient stonework due to high footfall.
Earlier this year, Machu Picchu was temporarily closed during protests that resulted in the loss of many lives.