The New7Wonders foundation has offered to collaborate with Peruvian authorities to address persistent problems at Machu Picchu, including long queues, overcrowding, and unreliable transport. The announcement on Tuesday follows a warning last September that the site's designation as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World was at risk due to these issues.
Jean Paul De la Fuente, the foundation's director, said he had seen “no progress” at the archaeological site since the warning, attributing it to Peru’s “political paralysis.” He is currently in Peru for talks with tourism officials and expressed willingness to meet with the next administration to explore solutions.
Peru will hold a presidential runoff on June 7, with candidates Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sanchez vying for the presidency. The winner will appoint the next government, and De la Fuente hopes to work with new leadership to improve conditions at Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu, a 15th-century Inca citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site, was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. De la Fuente noted that tourism has surged since then, but authorities have not made adequate adjustments. He stressed that stripping the designation is not currently under consideration, but he wants the government to consider the foundation's improvement plan.
