Early morning view of Machu Picchu, before tourists arrive at the site. The New7Wonders group warns Machu Picchu may lose its status as a world wonder. CNN
Machu Picchu became one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. It earned this title after a global vote with more than 100 million participants. But now, the organization behind this title warns the famous site might lose its place on the list.
The group, New7Wonders, says the problem comes from too many tourists, weak conservation efforts, and ongoing social conflicts. These issues put the sanctuary’s “credibility” at risk.
Calls for Action
New7Wonders said the future of Machu Picchu depends on key leaders in Peru. These leaders have been offered a plan to change how the site is managed and preserved. The organization stressed that being a wonder means sharing the responsibility to protect it carefully.
Jean-Paul de la Fuente, New7Wonders’ director, said it’s too early to say if Machu Picchu will lose its status or if another place might replace it. He called the warning a “wake-up call” for all involved to work on fixing the problems.
An adviser in Peru is ready to help with both quick fixes and long-term solutions, de la Fuente added.
UNESCO World Heritage Status
Machu Picchu is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. This status is separate from the New7Wonders campaign and remains safe.
Peru’s Ministry of Culture did not comment directly on the New7Wonders warning. But it said UNESCO is the only group responsible for protecting cultural sites like Machu Picchu.
The ministry assured that the site’s protection is not at risk. It noted that UNESCO praised improvements made to visitor management during a meeting in July.
Tourism Disruptions and Protests
Recently, protests have caused big problems around Machu Picchu. Demonstrations over transportation rights have left thousands of visitors stuck near the area. The protests began in early September and escalated when locals blocked train tracks to the sanctuary.
The Peruvian Ombudsman said on Wednesday that protest leaders agreed to pause demonstrations for three days. This would let travel services restart.
The Ministry of Commerce and Tourism planned talks with tourism groups to find solutions to the “complex situation” at Machu Picchu.
Long-Standing Issues
New7Wonders said these problems are not new but have grown over time. They include too many tourists, rising costs, risks to heritage, ticket-selling problems, transport troubles, and weak conservation rules.
Social conflicts, poor coordination between groups, and visitor complaints add to the challenges.
Machu Picchu is expected to have over 1.5 million visitors this year, breaking the pre-pandemic record of 2019, according to Peru’s Culture Minister Fabricio Valencia.
