When Did Machu Picchu Become a Tourist Destination?

By Michael Ferguson

Machu Picchu is one of the most iconic and beloved tourist destinations in the world. It is a 15th-century Incan citadel located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and has since become an incredibly popular destination for tourists from all over the world. But when did Machu Picchu become a tourist destination?

The first recorded visit to Machu Picchu by a European explorer was in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham. Bingham was so captivated by what he saw that he wrote about it extensively, bringing it to the attention of the world. This led to an influx of scientists and explorers from Europe and America who wanted to study the ruins further and uncover its secrets.

The first real wave of tourism to Machu Picchu started in the 1920s, when Lima’s National Geographic Society began organizing more organized visits for researchers and tourists alike. At this time, there were only rudimentary paths leading up to the ruins, but as more people became interested in visiting this sacred site, more trails and paths were built to accommodate them.

In 1981, Peru formally opened Machu Picchu as a tourist destination, allowing people from all over the world to visit this incredible archaeological site and experience its beauty firsthand. Since then, it has become one of Peru’s most popular attractions, with millions of tourists visiting every year.

Today, Machu Picchu is one of South America’s most visited sites. Its popularity is due largely in part to its breathtaking scenery and rich history that make it so unique among other archaeological sites around the world.

Conclusion:

Machu Picchu became a tourist destination after American explorer Hiram Bingham wrote about it extensively in 1911. Since then, it has grown increasingly popular with explorers and tourists alike with formal tourism opening up in 1981. Today, millions of people visit each year making it one of South America’s most visited sites.