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Peru has opened the ruins of the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu to a Japanese tourist who has waited almost seven months to visit the majestic World Heritage Site.
Jesse Katayama was scheduled to visit Machu Picchu in March, but was blocked in the South American country during the coronavirus pandemic, reports BBC News.
Culture Minister Alejandro Neira said that Katayama had gained access to the ruins after a special request he wrote while being forced to stay in the city of Aguas Calientes.
The Japanese became the first visitors to the cultural landmark in seven months. The ancient Inca citadel, Peru’s biggest tourist attraction, is expected to reopen at reduced capacity next month.
Katayama originally planned to stay in Peru for a few days to see the citadel, which was built more than 500 years ago. But travel rules and bans imposed during the coronavirus pandemic trapped the Japanese tourist in the country for nearly seven months.
“I had come to Peru with the dream of being able to enter the city,” Neira explained in a virtual press conference on Monday.
Katayama was allowed to enter the ruins on Saturday with the park manager, “so that he can make his dream come true before returning to his country,” the minister added.
In a video recorded at the top of Machu Picchu, the tourist celebrates his long-awaited visit.
“This tour is really amazing, thank you,” Katayama said.
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