Developing sustainable tourism through adaptive resource management: a case study of Machu Picchu, Peru

An adaptive management approach, rooted in the UN World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) sustainable tourism framework, emerges as a viable solution to balance the competing demands of conservation, economic growth, and cultural preservation at Machu Picchu. This strategy synthesizes diverse stakeholder goals—encompassing those of the Peruvian government, international conservation groups, tourists, private operators, regional authorities, and indigenous communities—while addressing persistent challenges such as failed carrying capacity proposals (ranging from 800 to 4,000 daily visitors). By integrating multiple perspectives, the approach offers a practical path forward for Machu Picchu, with broader implications for other developing-world tourism destinations grappling with similar socio-economic and political complexities.

Larson, L. R., & Poudyal, N. C. (2012). Developing sustainable tourism through adaptive resource management: a case study of Machu Picchu, Peru. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 20(7), 917–938. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2012.667217