Cusco protest against tourism draft law

February 8th, 2008

According to El Comercio, a demostration in Cusco that draw some 25.000 protesters ended without consequences. The protest was called after knowledge of a draft Law that would make it easier for private investors to build near famous ancient sites in Cusco.

Roads were blocked and the train service from Cusco to Machu Picchu was suspended, as had been previously announced by Peru Rail, the company managing the railway. Flights in and out of Cusco, though, continued to operate normally.

The proposed law, number 20167, will make it easier for private investors to be awarded concessions for building hotels near Cusco’s historic centre and in areas adjacent to archaeological sites. But Cusqueños –including the regional authority– fear that the law would just make it easier for foreign investors to grow rich from the old Inca Capital’s cultural heritage.

The controversy, though, is far from coming to an end. One of the leaders of the protest announced they will call for a new demonstration if the central government in Lima didn’t revoke the law.

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