Machu Picchu faces structural, ecological threats amid surging tourism pressure

Peru's national auditor has warned that Machu Picchu, the iconic Incan citadel and UNESCO World Heritage site, is facing structural damage and ecological imbalance due to excessive tourism.

Known as the "City in the Sky," Machu Picchu is not only a symbol of Peru's cultural heritage but also a sacred destination for global travelers. However, recent findings from the Peruvian National Audit Office have raised alarms over the ancient site's future, warning that if growing threats go unchecked, Machu Picchu could be added to UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.

Every day, thousands of tourists arrive at the mountaintop site, bringing significant economic vitality to the region. At the same time, this high level of foot traffic is straining the fragile infrastructure of the 15th-century Incan ruin, far exceeding its sustainable capacity.

To preserve the site, Peru's Ministry of Culture has capped daily visitors at 4,500, with a seasonal increase to 5,600 during peak travel periods. Even so, demand often outstrips supply, with certain ticket routes selling out within weeks on the official website. In response, the government has introduced a staggered entry system with various timed routes to better manage crowd flow.

"In this case my government and also the Minister of Culture are trying to protect [Machu Picchu]. That's the reason they open circuits like No. 2, No. 1, No. 3, and the idea is to preserve and protect Machu Bicchu," said William Sequeircs Chambi, a certified guide.

Despite such protective efforts, the audit report stresses that tourism levels are still exceeding safe limits and could pose long-term risks to the site's preservation if not properly managed.

The U.S. dollar strengthened in late trading on Wednesday.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, added 0.37 percent to 102.554 at 15:00 (1900 GMT).

In late New York trading, the euro was down to 1.1153 dollars from 1.1201 dollars in the previous session, and the British pound fell to 1.3181 dollars from 1.3257 dollars in the previous session.

The U.S. dollar bought 158.2 Japanese yen, lower than 158.3 Japanese yen of the previous session. The U.S. dollar rose to 0.8345 Swiss francs from 0.8325 Swiss francs, and it advanced to 1.4247 Canadian dollars from 1.4215 Canadian dollars. The U.S. dollar was up to 10.0321 Swedish kronor from 9.9618 Swedish kronor.