A new tourism initiative in Cusco is helping local residents discover Machu Picchu for the first time through a special social tourism program called “Expreso Imperial.”
The program, organized by Cusco’s Regional Management of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Gercetur), selected 50 residents who had never visited the Inca citadel before. Winners were chosen through a social media registration process and will enjoy a full-day trip that includes bus and train transportation, entrance to Machu Picchu, visits to the archaeological parks of Chinchero and Ollantaytambo, meals, and a guided tour.
According to regional officials, the initiative is designed to help more local people connect with their own cultural heritage. Authorities explained that many international travelers visit Machu Picchu every year, while some Cusco residents have never had the opportunity to experience it themselves. The program aims to change that by making access easier and encouraging pride in the region’s history.
The Expreso Imperial program is held regularly and also promotes other important destinations across the region, including the South Valley, Vinicunca, Waqrapukara, and several Baroque Andean churches. Officials say Cusco has thousands of tourism resources beyond Machu Picchu, and expanding local awareness is part of strengthening sustainable tourism in the region.
For travelers, this initiative reflects a broader effort to make tourism more inclusive while encouraging both visitors and residents to value and protect Peru’s cultural heritage.
Source: https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-cusco-50-habitantes-conoceran-machu-picchu-programa-expreso-imperial-1072681.aspx