The readers of this blog know that destinations such as Cuzco are getting further away from our pockets and the reach of backpackers or travellers aware of everyday’s expenses. Now, at Tim Leffel’s Cheapest Destination blog, the author spreads the word about Peru not being considered among the cheapest destinations for travellers anymore, and lists a series of relevant costs -how much does it cost to do the Inca trail or to ride the train to Machu Picchu, among other things. I don’t think this is surprising news. A few months ago, Peru’s Economics office chief, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, declared quite openly in an interview to a local newspaper -El Comercio- that “I’m in favor to backpackers who will become the industry’s leaders of tomorrow, but for now they have no moneyâ€?. In itself, the progressive distance of backpackers from Cuzco is part of an strategic plan, designed by the government, that seeks to have the tourists that visit Cuzco spend as much as possible. This increase in costs will decrease the number of tourists visiting Peru, but the profitability per visitor will be higher.

At least for now, if we consider the demand that this touristic destination has, things are going quite fine. Although this bothers many of us who don’t get our paychecks in dollars, but in devaluated local currency.

More articles on this blog, about Cuzco:

Cuzco
Tips to visit the world’s navel
Tips and international tourism: Cuzco as an exclusive destination

I found Tim Leffel’s article through a note published at El Sur.