Machu Picchu Could Lose New World Wonder Status Amid Overtourism

Machu Picchu, Peru's ancient Inca citadel set high in the Andes, could be stripped of its New World Wonder status after the New7Wonders Foundation questioned its credibility amid mounting visitor numbers and concerns about conservation. Last year the site drew about 3.4 million visitors. UNESCO has listed Machu Picchu as a World Heritage Site since 1983. The foundation's director, Jean-Paul de la Fuente, criticized Peru's Ministry of Culture for allowing overtourism to damage the country's image and signaled that the site may fail to meet conservation and sustainability criteria. The foundation also noted that ticket prices can be out of reach for many travelers and called for urgent action by the Peruvian state. Meanwhile, protests around Machu Picchu this week left hundreds of travelers stranded after demonstrators blocked railway lines leading to the citadel. The Peruvian Ministry of Culture responded that the site is not being violated and is not on UNESCO's danger list.

The debate over overtourism extends beyond Peru. The fight against crowding and its environmental footprint has sparked protests in major European destinations this year and left residents in some UK beauty spots frustrated by intrusive, phone-wielding visitors. In interviews with travel industry professionals, several iconic sites were named as increasingly difficult to enjoy and, in some cases, applicants for a rethink of where to visit first.

Stonehenge in England drew about 1.3 million visitors in 2023, roughly 36% of the country’s tourism share at times. British travel writer Mark Porter called the experience draughty, crowded and overpriced, noting the practical annoyances of arriving after a long hike only to find the stones partially fenced off and the car park packed. Fellow travel expert Mark Jones said Avenuebury, a nearby 4,000-year-old site with fewer crowds, offers a more intimate connection to Britain’s prehistoric landscape and avoids the sensory fatigue of a packed ritual site.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris frequently surfaces in such conversations. Long queues and crowds are commonplace, according to travel writer Laura Millar, who argued that there are many other perspectives on Paris that can rival the tower’s views. “Once you’re up there, you can no longer see the tower itself,” she said, adding that the overall experience—while magnificent—can feel hollow amid repetitive queues and mass tourism. Millar also highlighted the Mona Lisa in the Louvre as an example of how crowds can diminish the encounter with great art.

Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza also attract millions, but travelers report a chaotic atmosphere and intense crowds. Jowena Riley, a Daily Mail travel journalist, described the experience as awe-inspiring yet exhausting, with moments inside tight, hot spaces that test even the most enthusiastic visitors. Travel consultant Lucinda Faucheux urged exploring alternatives such as Saqqara and Dahshur, which host the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the Red and Bent Pyramids, respectively, offering a more relaxed immersion into ancient Egypt’s heritage.

Italy’s Colosseum remains a symbol of Rome’s ancient grandeur, but pickpocketing and scams have grown more common as crowds swell. Elaine Warren, founder of The Family Cruise Companion, suggested Ostia Antica, a Roman site reachable by a short train ride, as a way to experience the empire’s past with fewer people and less risk of disruption. The broader message, she and others emphasize, is that timing, alternate sites, and a willingness to wander off the brochure can transform a well-trodden pilgrimage into a meaningful memory.

The Grand Canyon, while globally famous, can disappoint visitors who expect a dramatic, tightly framed vista. Nicholas Smith, Holidays Digital Director at Thomas Cook, recommended a helicopter flight over the West Rim to see the canyon’s vast scale from above and to catch glimpses of nearby Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. This approach provides a different perspective and reduces time spent in crowded overlooks.

India’s Taj Mahal, one of the most-photographed monuments in the world, also suffers from long lines and heat in peak season. Hugh Fraser, founder of UK travel company Corinthian Travel, noted that a night-time tour—when permitted in limited numbers—offers a more contemplative, less claustrophobic experience and can transform the visit into something profoundly tranquil rather than a race against the clock.

Niagara Falls, straddling the Canadian and U.S. borders, attracts about 14 million visitors annually. While the spectacle remains free to view, crowds can feel relentless during peak periods. Thomas Cook’s Nicholas Smith advised visiting midweek and choosing smaller boat excursions to get closer to the falls with fewer people around, or basing a stay in the quieter nearby town of Niagara-on-the-Lake for a calmer backdrop to the iconic cascade.

Taken together, these recommendations reflect a broader shift in travel preferences: as overtourism intensifies, travelers and tour operators are recalibrating where and how spectacular sites are experienced. The Machu Picchu debate underscores a broader tension between preserving fragile cultural heritage and accommodating large numbers of visitors in ways that are sustainable, equitable, and environmentally mindful. Experts argue that the path forward will require coordinated policy responses, investment in conservation and visitor management, and a willingness from destinations to diversify experiences so that heritage sites remain viable long into the future.