Fears iconic Wonder of the World site could lose its title rubbished | World | News

Panic has been spreading that one of the world’s most iconic sites could lose its status as one the New Seven Wonders of the World. Alongside the likes of the Giza Pyramids, Rome’s Colosseum, Petra in Jordan and the Great Wall of China, Peru’s Peru’s Machu Picchu Inca sanctuary was awarded the title in 2007 after receiving more than 100 million votes in the global competition.

However, nearly 20 years on, the project which organised the vote recently warned that Machu Picchu is at risk of losing its “credibility” as one of the wonders due to overtourism, limited conservation policies and social conflicts. New7Wonders said that while it is too early to determine whether it would actually lose its spot, it should be taken by local authorities as a “wake-up call”. Its statement said: “The designation implies a shared commitment to the conservation and responsible management of the site, as well as the implementation of international preservation and management standards.” However, the founder of a Peruvian travel agency has slammed the rumours, stating that this scenario “simply will not happen”.

Speaking to The Express, Hedder Quispe Puente de la Vega, Founder of Machu Travel Peru – a leading tour operator with over 15 years of experience in creating travel experiences throughout Peru and South America – said there is “no real possibility” that Machu Picchu could lose its status as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

“The Ministry of Culture of Peru has emphasised that UNESCO is the only international body competent in identifying, protecting, and preserving heritage sites of Outstanding Universal Value. Within this framework, Machu Picchu has maintained its designation as a Mixed World Heritage Site (both cultural and natural) since 1983,” the CEO said.

The ministry added that Machu Picchu’s preservation and protection remain intact and emphasised that the site is not on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger. During the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in July, UNESCO praised the progress made in visitor management and its use of monitoring and conservation measures.

Hedder Quispe Puente de la Vega said that this “confirms that the international discussion is not about losing its title, but rather about strengthening the sustainable management of the sanctuary”. 

When asked if he or any of his colleagues were worried about a potential crash in the number of visitors, even just because of the threat of the loss of status, he said: “For us, this is not a threat but an opportunity – a reminder that the preservation of Machu Picchu depends on the joint commitment of authorities, communities, and tour operators.

“In this sense, we do not foresee any decline in tourism. On the contrary, we are convinced that ongoing conservation efforts reinforce Machu Picchu’s image and ensure that it will remain an iconic destination for generations to come.”

Speaking on any potential impacts the loss could have on his business, Hedder Quispe Puente de la Vega said: “From our perspective, there would be no real impact because this scenario simply will not happen.

“Even if such rumours came to pass, Machu Picchu and Peru hold a cultural and natural value that is unique in the world and transcends any classification. For this reason, neither our business nor that of our colleagues in the sector would be affected. Travellers will continue to come, because Machu Picchu is not only a tourist icon but also a World Heritage of undeniable significance.”

Last month, the site suffered from a wave of unrest that left hundreds of visitors stranded. On September 14, authorities reassigned transport company Consettur’s 30-year Machu Picchu bus concession to another operator. In response, local tourism companies clashed, generating blockades and halting services that marooned tourists in Aguas Calientes, the remote town which serves as the gateway to the 15th-century citadel.

The protests – which sparked a travel alert from the US Embassy in Peru – saw residents place logs and rocks along the train tracks, effectively blocking the primary route to the ruins. The Peruvian government were forced to step in and mediate, evacuating 1,400 stranded tourists. Train service resumed on September 17 and both bus companies have since agreed to restore operations under a contingency plan.

Hedder Quispe Puente de la Vega said: “We do not believe these protests will permanently discourage tourists. Such things occur in many countries – they do not reflect the true experience of visiting Machu Picchu. Peru and its local authorities have protocols in place to ensure visitor safety and to restore normality quickly.

“It is understandable that embassies, such as the US Embassy, issue precautionary alerts, but this does not mean Machu Picchu is unsafe. On the contrary, those who arrive encounter hospitality, organisation and a unique setting unlike anywhere else in the world.

“As operators, we stand by our travellers at all times, providing immediate solutions so that, even in the face of unforeseen events, their experience remains unforgettable.”

Chinchero International Airport is set to open late next year in the Sacred Valley, even closer to Machu Picchu than the current airstrip in Cusco. Its opening will double passenger capacity and has led to an increase in concerns about overtourism at Peru’s archaeological sites. Yet, Hedder Quispe Puente de la Vega said that the new airport “has great potential” and sees it as a positive move for the local economy.

“However, it is also true that a higher passenger capacity must be managed responsibly. It is not just about bringing in more visitors, but about ensuring that their experience is orderly, safe and respectful of cultural and natural heritage. At Machu Travel Peru, we are convinced that the real challenge lies not in the infrastructure itself but in the sustainable management of tourist flows.

“For this reason, we support the modernisation that Chinchero represents, but emphasise that it must go hand in hand with capacity limits, destination diversification and a strong commitment to conservation. Only then can tourism remain an opportunity without becoming a threat.”

Hedder Quispe Puente de la Vega said that sustainability is a core part of Machu Travel Peru’s proposal: “We work in line with official regulations to manage visitor numbers at Machu Picchu and have also implemented our own policies for responsible operation. One of them is […] operating only with small groups of no more than six to eight travellers, which ensures exclusivity, safety and a lower environmental impact.

“Rather than seeing this as a limitation, we view it as an opportunity to deliver authentic and responsible travel experiences. We design itineraries that better distribute visitor flow, combining Machu Picchu with other destinations in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, which helps diversify the journey and reduce pressure on a single site.”

He said that despite adopting the sustainable management strategies pushed by the site, the company’s profits have not been affected.

“We work closely with local communities, hire expert guides and design tailor-made itineraries that not only provide our clients with an authentic and enriching experience but also generate direct economic benefits for the people of Cusco and surrounding regions,” he continued. “In short, we do not engage in mass tourism. Our mission is to offer exclusive, personalised journeys that protect Peru’s heritage, respect local communities and inspire travellers to become ambassadors of responsible tourism.”

Machu Picchu welcomed over 1.5 million tourists in 2024, a figure that matched pre-pandemic levels and represented a staggering 58% increase from the 950,000 visitors in the previous year.