Machu Picchu, the remains of a 15th Century Inca city, is Peru's most popular tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Yet a continuing dispute over the buses that take visitors up to the mountain-top site recently saw some 1,400 stranded tourists needing to be evacuated.
Cristian Alberto Caballero Chacón is head of operations for bus company Consettur, which for the past 30 years has transported about 4,500 people every day to Machu Picchu from the local town of Aguas Calientes. It is a 20-minute journey, and the only alternative is an arduous, steep, two-hour walk.
Conflicts have arisen recently as Consettur lost its license to a rival bus firm, creating tension among the local communities reliant on tourism for income. To get to Machu Picchu without walking, tourists must first take a train to Aguas Calientes, which takes from two to three and a half hours, before transferring to a bus for the final leg.
In September, protests against the bidding process to award the bus license led to blockades, impacting tourists and showcasing the complexity of local governance and tourism management. Consettur's continuous operation despite losing its license has raised questions about fairness and accessibility for local communities.
Tourist experiences are further complicated by complaints regarding the high costs of train tickets and entry fees for the archaeological site. Local leaders argue that the majority of revenue from tourism does not benefit the surrounding communities, prompting calls for reforms and greater oversight of public transport.
As negotiations and legal challenges continue, the future of transportation to Machu Picchu and the impacts on local communities and tourists remain uncertain. There are hopes for a balanced solution that supports both profits from tourism and the needs of local populations.
