New7Wonders foundation offers aid for Machu Picchu crowding

A global heritage foundation has offered to assist Peruvian authorities in addressing severe overcrowding and logistical problems at the famed Machu Picchu archaeological site. The New7Wonders foundation, which designated the Inca citadel as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, announced the offer this week, citing a lack of progress since it first warned last September that the site's "wonder" status was at risk.

Jean Paul De la Fuente, the foundation's director, said tourists are facing hours-long queues, severe overcrowding, and unreliable local transport, turning a dream visit into a nightmare for many. He attributed the lack of improvement to Peru's political paralysis and stated he has seen no progress on the ground since the initial warning. De la Fuente, who is currently in Peru for talks with tourism officials, expressed a willingness to meet with the country's next administration to explore solutions.

There was no immediate response from Peruvian authorities. The nation is preparing for a presidential runoff election on June 7, which will decide the country's ninth president in a decade. The race is between Keiko Fujimori, daughter of a former president...