Visitas a Machu Picchu continuan creciendo

Peru: Tourism to Machu Picchu to continue strong growth throughout the year

The influx of visitors to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu will continue its strong growth throughout the year, as seen since its designation as one of the new seven wonders of the world on July 7 2007, said Peru's National Institute for Culture (INC).The deputy director of INC-Cusco, Jorge Prado, said there are no longer specific crowded days at Machu Picchu because several visitors arrive at this archaeological site almost all year long. He mentioned that between 1,100 and 1,800 tourists visited Machu Picchu everyday before being named among the seven wonders of the world and that the number of visitors had increased to some 2,500 daily after its election.When asked about media reports that state there are extended opening hours to visit Machu Picchu, Prado clarified that the sanctuary continues to be open from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Machu Picchu (Quechua: Machu Picchu, "Old mountain") is a pre-Columbian Inca site located 2,400 meters (7,875 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Cusco.

News source: ANDINA