Machu Picchu, the remains of a 15th Century Inca city and Peru's most popular tourist destination, has found itself at the center of a significant dispute over transport services, recently resulting in over 1,400 tourists needing to be evacuated.
For the last 30 years, buses operated by Consettur have transported approximately 4,500 visitors daily from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. This journey, which takes 20 minutes, is crucial since walking to the archaeological site would take tourists an exhausting two hours. Cristian Alberto Caballero Chacón, the bus company's head of operations, acknowledged rising tensions within local communities over service changes.
The conflict arises from Consettur recently losing its license to a rival bus company in a bidding process that some community members deemed opaque. This change follows local protests, including blockades that hindered access to Aguas Calientes, forcing authorities to step in for evacuations.
Tourists wishing to visit Machu Picchu must take a train to Aguas Calientes— a journey lasting between two to three-and-a-half hours— and then transfer to a bus to complete their trip. With a round-trip bus ticket costing $24 for foreigners and $15 for locals, affordability and accessibility are at the forefront of tourist frustrations.
The mayor of Aguas Calientes, Elvis La Torre, expressed concern over the ticketing system, indicating that only 10% of revenues from these sales remain in the local community. He urged for a reallocation of funds to improve local infrastructure and services.
As the licensing dispute continues, the local tourism sector faces an uncertain future. Caballero insisted Consettur does not have a monopoly; rather, it is a consortium made up of 12 partner companies, including the local district council, which holds a 38% stake.
This ongoing situation not only impacts the tourists but also reveals deeper tensions regarding economic benefits within the community, highlighting the need for better coordination and governance in the tourism sector of Peru.
