CUSCO (Peru), Feb 17 (NNN-ANDINA) — Domestic and foreign tourists returned to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu —whose access had been suspended since Jan 21 due to security measures— amid great expectations and under pleasant weather on Wednesday.
Afterwards, the rejoicing of visitors was immediately heard. About 100 tourists entered the site as part of the first group, of whom over 40 were Peruvian nationals and around 50 were foreigners.
57-year-old Korean citizen Minkyoung Lee, who bought his ticket on Monday, Feb 13, at the Cultural Center located in Machu Picchu Town district, became the first tourist to set foot in the ancient Incan ruins.
Residents and small entrepreneurs of Machu Picchu Town also expressed their joy over the reopening of Machu Picchu, which will allow the reactivation of the local economy.
Until Wednesday noon, more than 700 visitors had been recorded, and this trend was expected to continue in the afternoon, as they arrived by train and then by bus, after traveling nine kilometers along the highway.
The Ministry of Culture stipulated that tourists who bought their tickets as of Jan 1, 2023, will be given all necessary facilities and the chance to enter Machu Picchu without any problem.
To that end, no formalities need to be carried out and visitors only have to show up at the entrance of the llaqta or Inca citadel and bring the unused entry ticket.
Nevertheless, people are not allowed to reschedule their visit or bring the date of entry to Machu Picchu forward if the ticket has been booked for a later date.
The head of the Decentralized Unit at the Decentralized Culture Directorate (DDC) in Cusco, Maritza Rosa Candia, was in charge of welcoming visitors, on behalf of Culture Minister Leslie Urteaga. — NNN-ANDINA
