The alarm was raised after reports pointed to a series of problems: irregular ticket sales, rising prices, transport difficulties, and poor coordination between tour operators and state institutions. Experts warn that these issues not only threaten Machu Picchu’s reputation but could undermine the livelihoods of millions of Peruvians who depend on tourism. According to industry data, more than 6.5 million people in the country are tied to the sector.

Local leaders in Cusco, including the regional governor, have criticised the central government’s management and called for greater decentralisation or even an autonomous authority for the site. Former foreign minister Óscar Maúrtua argued that poor services and overlapping responsibilities are damaging the visitor experience and stressed the need for urgent reforms. He and others have suggested that Peru request technical assistance from UNESCO or the World Tourism Organisation.

Machu Picchu remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a status that is not currently under review. However, the potential loss of its ‘Wonder of the World’ designation carries symbolic and economic weight. Business leaders warn that the site has become a “political prize” in domestic disputes, and that ongoing mismanagement risks eroding Peru’s global standing as a leading tourist destination.

In terms of continental and regional breakdown, while Europe continues to dominate overall arrivals, Kenya and South Africa stood out as key African markets. Kenya led with 4,515 visitors, a 78.9 percent leap from last year, making up 4.3 percent of all arrivals. South Africa followed with 2,802 visitors, or 2.7 percent of the total, despite a year-on-year decline. Together, the two countries contributed over a third of all African visitors, The Citizen reports.

Europeans accounted for 61.5 percent of arrivals, indicating Zanzibar’s appeal to long-haul holidaymakers. Italy topped the charts with 16,507 visitors (15.6 percent of the total), followed by the UK at 7.7 percent.

Leisure remains Zanzibar’s biggest draw. An overwhelming 99.2 percent of visitors cited holidays as their reason for travel , with most staying about a week. The average length of stay was 8.2 days, fueling high hotel demand. About 913,911 hotel bed spaces were sold, which also represents an 88.5 percent occupancy rate.

Roughly 90 percent of visitors arrived by air, with 68,331 flying in on international flights and 26,964 arriving via domestic routes. Another 10,211 travelled by sea from mainland Tanzania.