MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Peruvian government promises to revamp Machu Picchu ruins

The Peruvian government will invest an estimated 35.7 million US dollars in archeological research in the Machu Picchu ruins area of influence.

The announcement was made this week by Fernando Astete head of the Machu Picchu Archeological Park who indicated the money will be spent on a ten year plan and will mostly come from the revenue by visiting locals and foreign tourists to the former Inca citadel. Once the plan begins rolling the whole heritage area will receive an "extraordinary boost and will enable us to diversify the tourist activity in the area", said Astete. Machu Picchu, located in the Cuzco Andean region, approximately 1.200 kilometers south east of Lima the capital, was the hub for prayer, cult, astronomical observation and private interests of the royal family of Inca Pachacutec. Since 1983 the citadel ruins belong to the UNESCO Historic and Natural Heritage of Humanity.