Machu Picchu could lose New World Wonder status amid overtourism concerns

Machu Picchu could be stripped of its New World Wonder status as overtourism prompts scrutiny of the site’s future and the integrity of the World Wonder designation. The Peruvian Inca citadel, perched about 50 miles northwest of Cusco and dating back roughly 600 years, drew about 3.4 million visitors last year. The New7Wonders Foundation, which awarded Machu Picchu its New World Wonder title in 2007, has questioned the site’s credibility amid the millions of guests who crowd into its ancient walls each year. Foundation director Jean-Paul de la Fuente criticized Peru’s Ministry of Culture, saying the country’s image is being damaged by overtourism. The debate comes as demonstrators this week blocked the train routes that ferried visitors to and from Machu Picchu, leaving hundreds stranded and highlighting how tourism can disrupt local life.

Peru’s Ministry of Culture responded that the site “is not being violated” and is not on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger. New7Wonders also signaled concerns about conservation and sustainability, including ticketing that some say is expensive for certain travelers, and urged urgent action by the Peruvian state. The clash underscores a growing international reckoning over how to balance safeguarding cultural heritage with the economic benefits of tourism.

The power of overtourism to shape travel choices has already reverberated through other famous sites, with observers warning that some iconic destinations could become less must-see as pressures mount. Travel writer Laura Millar told the Daily Mail that it is “really sad” when places “that are absolutely incredible to visit have become at risk of being shunned and passed over just because they’re too popular.” She said while sights are stunning at first glance, the crush of crowds can ruin the experience for first-time visitors. The broader argument, she noted, is not to discard these sites but to rethink how and when people visit them and to consider alternatives that offer a more intimate encounter with history and nature.

Across the travel industry, experts were asked which world wonders or heritage sites they would sidestep and where they would instead go. The responses suggested a pattern: overcrowding, high prices, and poor visitor management can sour even the most celebrated experiences.

Stonehenge is “draughty, crowded and over-priced,” according to travel writer Mark Porter. In 2023, Stonehenge drew about 1.3 million visitors, accounting for a sizable share of Britain’s tourism. Porter described arriving after a long hike with confiscated items and the sense that the stones, while historic, do not meet the awe of their reputation when viewed through the lens of crowds and fees. His verdict is not that Stonehenge should vanish from itineraries, but that the experience is compromised by the logistics and the commercial environment surrounding the site.

An alternative nearby could offer a more serene experience. Travel expert Mark Jones, former BA High Life editor, recommends Avebury, a 4,000-year-old monument complex about a 40-minute drive north of Stonehenge. He notes that Avebury is largely free to visit and allows visitors to walk among the stones without the crowding that characterizes the English Heritage site. “Why go to Stonehenge when you can go to Avebury? You can walk among the stones and feel the landscape’s history without the A303 bottlenecks,” Jones said. The pitch is not to dismiss Stonehenge but to broaden the itinerary to lesser-known sites that still convey the sense of ancient significance.

When it comes to iconic urban views, the Eiffel Tower often disappoints visitors who arrive to long queues and crowded platforms. Laura Millar, a travel writer, said she has visited Paris frequently but finds the tower’s queues to be exhausting and the vantage often blunted by the city’s other elevated viewpoints. “There are plenty of better views of Paris,” she said, arguing that the broader city provides equally striking perspectives without the same level of congestion. She also criticized the Mona Lisa experience at the Louvre, where crowds can rush guests past the painting, reducing the chance for a meaningful encounter with the artwork. For Millar, the lesson is that crowd-management and alternative gallery routes can preserve the magic of seeing world-class art and architecture.

Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza also attract millions, but observers describe the scene as chaotic and crowded, with vendors and the heat amplifying the slog. Jowena Riley, a travel journalist, described the experience as awe-inspiring yet challenging, noting that the inside walkways can feel congested and hot. Travel consultant Lucinda Faucheux suggested that visitors seek alternatives such as Saqqara and Dahshur, which feature pyramids of striking design but offer a more relaxed atmosphere and shorter lines. These nearby sites provide a connected sense of Egypt’s ancient innovations without the stampede of the main complex.

Italy’s Colosseum presents a different set of challenges: fame attracts crowds and opportunistic scammers. Elaine Warren, founder of The Family Cruise Companion, warned that pickpocketing and scams have become a real hazard near Rome’s premier ruin. She suggested experiencing the Roman world at Ostia Antica, a nearby site with expansive ruins, fewer crowds, and a chance to explore mosaics, baths, and bakeries in relative solitude. The takeaway is not to abandon Rome’s history but to diversify the itinerary to better protect visitors’ experiences while preserving the sites themselves.

America’s Grand Canyon is another example where scale can overshadow spectacle. Nicholas Smith, Holidays Digital Director at Thomas Cook, recommended taking a helicopter ride to view the canyon from above, which can convey its vastness more vividly than standing near the rim. He argued that a different vantage point—along with a mix of helicopter and boat tours—can transform this iconic landscape from a potential disappointment into a memorable, immersive experience.

The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site and another New7Wonders defender, similarly emphasizes timing and crowd management. Hugh Fraser, founder of UK travel company Corinthian Travel, noted that a nighttime visit can be transformative, with far fewer visitors and an atmosphere of quiet reverence shining through the marble. He cautioned that heat, crowd noise, and constant photography can degrade the experience during the day, but the moonlit tour offers a more profound sense of the monument.

Niagara Falls serves as a case study in the paradox of accessible beauty and relentless crowds. The falls attract about 14 million visitors to the Ontario and New York region each year. While the spectacle is free to enjoy from the shore, mid-visit crowds can overwhelm the experience. Travel advisor Nicholas Smith recommended midweek trips, closer boat tours, and possibly basing travelers in nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake to avoid the dense crowds while still enjoying the falls’ power and beauty.

Taken together, the discussions around Machu Picchu and these other sites reveal a broader shift in travel culture. Overtourism is spurring calls for sustainable visitation and smarter distribution of crowds, with some advocates urging destinations to diversify their offerings and spaces to alleviate pressure on fragile ecosystems and archaeological remains. The New7Wonders Foundation’s questions about Machu Picchu reflect a broader insistence that preservation and accessibility can coexist if planning, governance, and pricing are aligned with conservation goals. The Peruvian government has acknowledged the need to address these concerns, underscoring a growing expectation that popular sites will adopt more sustainable practices and more nuanced visitor management.

In the near term, travelers, operators, and governments may increasingly favor responsible tourism that emphasizes quality experiences over sheer numbers. That shift could alter travel itineraries, encouraging people to visit a wider range of destinations and to participate in conservation-minded tours and community-led initiatives. Whether Machu Picchu retains its New World Wonder designation or not, the conversation about how best to balance heritage, accessibility, and sustainability is likely to continue shaping how the world experiences its most treasured places.