Machu Picchu Tourism Disrupted by Protests Over Ticketing System

Protests against the outsourcing of entry ticket sales to a private company have led to a significant drop in tourism at Machu Picchu, with train service to the area canceled and small businesses and workers in the tourism sector fearing the new ticketing system will benefit big companies at their expense. The government's decision to outsource ticket sales to a private platform has sparked concerns about data privacy and transparency, leading to demands for the new system to be canceled and the resignation of the Minister of Culture. The protests have caused significant economic losses in the tourism sector, impacting not only large operators but also small businesses, taxi drivers, and peasant communities.