The Issue of Over Tourism in Machu Picchu

Introduction

World population is rising and the number of people around the world has reached terrifying levels in recent years. The growth in population has had a major impact on famous tourist spots around the world. These popular tourist places have experienced the phenomenon of “over-tourism” in the recent past.

The worst affected lot has been the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites because of the popularity that they enjoy among the people. Over-tourism has not only over-crowded the tourist sites, but has also increased the prices of traveling to these locations and staying around them. This paper discusses in details, the impact of “over-tourism” on the World Heritage site of Machu Picchu.

Literature Review

Khullar, 2014 analyses the details of the World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu and the factors that attract the huge number of tourists to the destination. The site is the remains of the citadel that was prevalent a few centuries ago and depicts the remains of the Inca civilization in Peru.

The paper presents the reasons for the recent rise in fame of the destination and why it attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. There has been a shift in the way people perceive a tourist spot and people make their choices differently as compared to the tourism trend a few years ago. The paper stresses on the fact that a few years ago, people were not attracted to visit such places that do not offer any excitement. However, the rise in awareness about history is the key factor in the growth in tourist numbers in recent years.

Singh, 2018, focusses on the overall ideas of mass tourism which has been on the rise throughout the world. The paper focusses on the fact that the idea of mass tourism affects the upkeep and maintenance of World Heritage Sites such as Machu Picchu. The fact brought forward by the author is that of the damage which is caused at such sites and the damage of landscape which it brings along.

The author comments that mass tourism is a global phenomenon and there are certain organized private bodies and associations that are formed to promote tourism in these locations. The associations are formed in conjunction with the local businesses and they control the prices that are prevalent in these places. The overall impact of this activity is negative in terms of implications.

Boonpat & Suvachart, 2014 focused on the fact that the growth in tourism of such places is based on the cultural knowledge that these places offer. More and more people have become culturally aware and wish to know more about different cultures and history. This curiosity has led to the growth in the number of people visiting these places and hence these places have become overcrowded and the places are getting damaged because of it.

Conway, 2014 highlights the impact of overcrowded tourist places, especially the world heritage sites that are swarming with the inflow. The research points out the fact that the influx of tourists at these places harm and damage the heritage that is held by these places. The report also highlights the factor of ignorance on the part of the tourists visiting these places. One particular tourist destination might hold a certain degree of importance for a class or segment of people, and yet not hold the same importance for the people visiting these places. The tourists cannot be expected to treat the place in the same way the local population treats it. Vainikka, 2013, focusses majorly on the function of mass tourism and how it has become a channel of ‘milking money’ out of the tourists and exploiting the sentiments of people.

Critical Analysis

One specific vacationer goal may hold a specific level of significance for a class or section of individuals, but then not hold a similar significance for the general population visiting these spots. The tourists cannot be relied upon to treat the spot similarly to how the neighborhood populace treats it.

An ever-increasing number of individuals have turned out to be socially mindful and they wish to find out about various societies and history. This interest has prompted the development in the number of individuals visiting these spots and thus these spots have moved toward becoming packed and the spots are getting harmed as a result of it. The way that is presented by the research is that of the harm which is caused at such sites and the harm of the scene which it brings along.

The research remarks that mass tourism is a worldwide wonder and there are sure sorted out private bodies and affiliations that are shaped to advance tourism in these areas. The affiliations are framed related to the nearby organizations and they control the costs that are pervasive in these spots. The general effect of this movement is negative as far as suggestions (Singh, 2018).

Conclusion

There are many implications of the growing population and the ever-growing number of people on the planet is a serious threat to the resources that are available to mankind. The cities that were earlier populated at an optimum level are now over-crowded and it is a great challenge for the local governments to provide the necessary facilities to the citizens. This has also increased the level of competition among fellow citizens as more people are availing the same amount of resources. In short, the growth in population has also distorted the normal social fabric of the world.