Culture and Heritage Tourism

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Positive Impacts of Tourism

There are a number of positive impacts that emerge from tourism of this heritage site, including social, environmental and economic benefits to the country. The increase in visitor traffic over the years has encouraged conservation of the natural, cultural and historical resources, including preservation of the actual site as well as local festivals and cultural events (Geography Field Work, 2013). The boom in tourism encourages local involvement and a sense of pride and provides a means of cultural exchange between travelers and local citizens.

In terms of economic benefits, Machu Picchu attracts high-spending tourists from first world countries that belong to ‘higher socio-economic groups’ (Geography Field Work, 2013). Governments are able to attain additional tax revenues each year through accommodation and restaurant taxes, airport taxes, sales taxes, Inca trail and Machu Picchu entrance fees and employee income tax (Geography Field Work, 2013). Tourism also creates job opportunities for the locals, including jobs in accommodations and tour services, as well as food production and housing construction (Geography Field Work, 2013).

Despite the negative impacts to this historical site mentioned earlier, tourism in third world countries will always generate a positive effect on the economy and development of that area. By focusing more on educating and enlightening the traveler on the culture of the destination they are visiting, it can open their eyes to the world outside of their home and perhaps, motivate them to engage more with the social and economical problems the rest of the world faces (Class Adventure Travel, 2014).

Visitor Management Techniques

Management Unit of Machu Picchu

Historical sites that are being named under the UNESCO World Heritage Group conveys a lot of meaningful history behind the site itself, as well as the culture for that region. A historical site in Peru, known as the state-owned Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu attracts many tourists each year. Of course, with any contact between the site and humans, there is a chance of destruction. The site established a Management Unit of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (UGM) in 1999 and reactivated in 2011 to regularly update governing documents for the management of the property (UNESCO, 2016). The different representatives are engaged to ensure proper revenue from tourism is invested into planning and management of the site. Part of the planning includes organization of transportation and infrastructure construction, along with sanitary and safety conditions.

Facilities

Constraints are in place for the world heritage site of Machu Picchu in Peru due to various reasons of damage being located on site. The United Nations had brought up concerns about the visual quality of the area being damaged by tourist infrastructure such as small hotels, bathrooms, terrace restaurants and bus parking lots. They suggested in reducing the number of facilities, but it has not been implemented as of late (Geography Field Work, 2013). In April 2015, a master plan for Machu Picchu was approved for $43.7 million in a makeover of its tourist infrastructure from 2015-2019 (Vecchio, 2015). Part of the plan will include a new exit ramp for better control of crowd flow, a help center and installation of toilets at both ends of the ruins (See Appendix A). The plan for these services will help tourists venture around with less confusion, as well as to reduce the amount of litter on the ruins.

Visitors

UNESCO suggested that the number of visitors walking the Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu should be reduced to 500 visitors per day and that soft shoes should be worn to ease pressure on the ruins. The footsteps of large groups of people cause large boulders to shift, creating an effect similar to a small-scale earthquake, which causes the structure to be unstable and deemed unsafe (Chilman, 2016). With the increase in visitors annually, this is a great plan to limit the number of visitors to the site as well as being able to preserve Peru’s cultural and natural heritage site from collapsing. Not only are has the number of visitors been restricted, tour guides must also be present due to overcrowding and improper garbage disposal as a result of lack of visitor regulations prior to 2001 (Chilman, 2016). In addition to that, park guards and security cameras will be added throughout the park as part of the 2015-2019 master plan (Vecchio, 2015). Due to the overcrowding problem, issuing park guards can easily manage the risk of injuries or vandalism to Machu Picchu. Although tour guides must be present to bring tourists, it is recommended that a security gate be installed at the entrance to ensure tourists are not entering without permission.

Sustainability

The management of Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu had implemented ways to sustain the cultural and heritage site. There was a build up of rubbish, which urged government agencies to relocate garbage elsewhere as oppose to periodically setting them on fire. Meetings took place and they have agreed to transfer 100 tons of garbage elsewhere by train on a weekly basis. Other suggestions that should be put in place is reducing water usage, utilizing renewable energy, buying locally, and creating the social interaction between tourists and local communities (Chilman, 2016). A fair amount of tourism generated revenues goes towards affordable housing, food programmes and job creation (Carroll, 2008). Sustainable tour companies like Peru Treks & Adventure benefits local communities in the area through employment and community projects (Leffel, 2005). Half of the company’s profits goes into local assistance and development grants. It is not only the industry’s responsibility to provide sustainable tourism in this area, travelers should be well informed and understand the importance of giving their business to sustainable tour companies that strive to conserve the historical site while providing fair treatment to their staff.

Machu Picchu has been a treasured site for more than 500 years and in order to preserve it for the next 100 years, all parties involved must take appropriate measures in conserving this world heritage site.

References

Carroll, R. (2008, April 24). Is it OK to visit Machu Picchu? Retrieved February 02, 2016, from http://www.theguardian.com/travel/blog/2008/apr/24/isitoktovisitmachupicchu

Chilman, T. (2016). How can tourism at Macho Picchu be sustainable? Sustainable