Machu Picchu risks losing New Seven Wonders status after protests strand tourists

New7Wonders has warned that Machu Picchu could be stripped of its status as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World after protests in the Cusco region left hundreds of tourists stranded and exposed long-running management and social problems at the Inca site.

The organisation said it sent a letter to Peru's government raising concerns that failures in tourism management, rising prices and damage to cultural and natural heritage — along with social conflicts and poor coordination between institutions and tourism companies — could undermine the site's credibility if the issues are not addressed.

The warning followed a blockade this week in which locals dug up rail tracks and placed boulders and logs on the line, forcing passenger services to be suspended and leaving an estimated 900 people trapped in the town of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Peru's Tourism Minister, Desilu Leon, told local radio that about 1,400 tourists had been evacuated on Monday but several hundred remained when the blockade continued.

The protests began after the expiry of the concession held by Consettur, the bus company that operates shuttle services between Aguas Calientes and the entrance to the 15th‑century citadel. Residents say the process to award a new concession has lacked transparency and fairness and that contracts have been distributed in a way that does not benefit the local community.

New7Wonders said in its statement that "there have also been social conflicts, incoordination between institutions and tourism companies, and repeated complaints by visitors." The group noted that the 2007 designation as one of the New Seven Wonders carries expectations of conservation and responsible management of the site and warned that escalating conflict could affect Machu Picchu's standing.

The US Embassy in Lima issued a travel warning urging visitors to avoid the attraction while the dispute is unresolved, advising tourists to seek refunds or to reschedule and to consult guides and local authorities about travel plans. Some visitors were told by authorities to trek several hours to reach trains or buses outside the Machu Picchu region; others said they were unable to do so because of medical or family reasons.

"In my case, I can't do it because my wife is pregnant," Miguel Salas, a Chilean tourist, told AFP, describing the difficulty faced by those stranded in Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu is Peru's most-visited cultural site and its management has long been the focus of debate over how to balance conservation, local economic benefits and high visitor demand. Officials and international bodies have previously raised concerns about over-tourism, infrastructure pressure and the effects of unauthorized construction in the surrounding area.

Local leaders have argued that control over transport concessions is critical to directing tourism revenue into the community. Protesters in the current dispute have said that new contract awards would concentrate benefits in the hands of outside companies rather than local operators and workers.

Peruvian authorities have not announced a resolution to the blockade, and the situation has drawn international attention both because of the number of tourists affected and because the disruption highlights broader governance challenges at one of the world's best-known heritage sites. Machu Picchu was selected by a global poll in 2007 as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World alongside sites such as the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.

In its weekend statement, New7Wonders reiterated that the designation implies a commitment to conservation and responsible handling, and called on Peruese authorities to address the cited problems to prevent further damage to the site's reputation and visitor experience.

For now, the immediate priorities for authorities include restoring safe access for visitors, negotiating with demonstrators over the concession process and attending to the needs of those who remain stranded. The US Embassy and international tour operators have urged travellers to postpone visits until the dispute is settled and normal services resume.