Machu Picchu Reopens as Protesters Strike Deal Over Ticketing System

Tourism slowly resumes after a week-long protest against a new centralized ticketing system, with estimated losses reaching $4.7 million.

Peruvian authorities have reopened the train route to Machu Picchu, after an agreement was struck to end more than a week of protests that had blocked access to the famed Incan site and stranded tourists.
The protests began over a new centralized ticketing system, which protesters feared would hurt local businesses by shifting the administration of ticket sales to one private company authorized by the ministry of culture.
The two sides signed an agreement on Wednesday that will see a transition period to the new platform.
Tourism is the main economic activity in Cusco, with more than 200,000 people having direct jobs in the sector. In times before the protests, up to 4,500 visitors entered Machu Picchu every day.
There are no official figures on potential losses during the first week of protests, but some tourism unions estimate the damage at about $4.7 million.