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.
Machu Picchu faces structural, ecological threats amid surging tourism pressure
Machu Picchu faces structural, ecological threats amid surging tourism pressure
The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is emerging as a key engine for China's fast-growing low-altitude economy by leveraging its dense industrial networks, efficient logistics systems, and rapid innovation capacity.
From logistics and manufacturing to urban services, the region is building an integrated industrial chain that allows low-altitude industries to scale up at unprecedented speed, thus turning drone-based applications from isolated trials into large-scale, commercial operations.
China's 15th Five-Year Plan, covering 2026 to 2030, calls for the cultivation of new pillar industries and the accelerated development of strategic emerging industrial clusters, including the low-altitude economy.
At a drone operations center in Bao'an District, Shenzhen City in south China's Guangdong Province, a dozen logistics drones take off and land within minutes. Urgently needed production parts, documents, and small parcels are dispatched from here to cities in the province including Dongguan, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai.
Behind these high-flying aircraft lies what observers describe as an "invisible industrial chain", built on speed and efficiency.
"Look at this aircraft. About 90 percent of its components come from nearby areas. Relying on Shenzhen's strong logistics capabilities and its complete supply chain, these parts can be delivered to our factory within half an hour for assembly, processing, and production," said Li Kunhuang, person-in-charge of Shenzhen GODO Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.
Once a new product is unveiled, testing and calibration begin immediately at the drone testing field. As soon as the process is completed, the new models can be put into real-world operation, realizing almost “zero delay” from research and development to application.
Supported by a robust industrial chain, low-altitude routes in Shenzhen are effectively connecting the urban landscape. From its Bao'an District to Songshan Lake in Dongguan City, production components can be delivered within one hour. Supplies are transported between Zhuhai City's Xiangzhou Port to Dong'ao Island in just 25 minutes. And light industrial goods can travel round-trip within a single day between Guzhen Town in Zhongshan City and Xinhui District in Jiangmen City.
More low-altitude application scenarios are expected to be implemented in the near future.
In Qianhai District, Shenzhen is accelerating the construction of a pilot demonstration zone of low-altitude integrated three-dimensional transportation hub.
"We have built the country's first low-altitude integrated three-dimensional transportation hub, and are gradually developing a pilot flight zone that integrates multiple scenarios such as inspection, logistics, and cultural tourism. This will provide technical support for the next step of commercializing cross-border logistics and emergency rescue services across the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area," said Wu Xuemin, head of the Shenzhen Qianhai Low-Altitude Integrated Three-Dimensional Transportation Hub Pilot Demonstration Zone.
Integrated supply chains propel Greater Bay Area's low-altitude economy growth
Integrated supply chains propel Greater Bay Area's low-altitude economy growth
