Protests in Peru are blocking access to Machu Picchu, one of South America’s most popular heritage sites, with local anger over a new ticketing system halting rail transport to the iconic Incan site and leaving some tourists stranded.
Train services to the ancient ruins high up in the Andes have been suspended since Saturday (Jan 27) due to safety concerns over demonstrators blocking the railway line. Travel links were still not reopened on Monday, two tour operators told Reuters.
The protests, that began late last week, have left hundreds of tourists, who flock to Machu Picchu from all over the world, unable to reach the site.
The latest dispute has delivered a fresh blow to Peru’s tourism industry that was hit hard last year by widespread civil unrest, especially in the southern Andean region that is a key zone for the country’s huge copper industry.
Round-table discussions entered a second day on Monday to resolve the dispute between the authorities and protesters angry at the government for consolidating ticket sales.
READ SOURCE
