Tourist's disrespectful Machu Picchu act slammed
<p>A tourist has been slammed online after she was filmed sprinkling her loved one's ashes at Peru’s Machu Picchu. </p>
<p>The clip posted to TikTok by Peruvian tour operator IncaGo Expeditions has been taken down amid fierce backlash, but not before it was reshared on other platforms online. </p>
<p>In the video, the woman stood atop one of the 15th-century Inca citadel’s terraces as she scattered the ashes. The footage ended with her taking a bow and embracing another person. </p>
<p>Her actions have been slammed online, with one person saying: “may the full weight of the law fall on the person who did this act, there was no respect for Machu Picchu." </p>
<p>“What is the need to do it in a universal jewel, such as Machu Picchu?” another commented. </p>
<p>The sacred landmark, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage landmark in Peru, and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. </p>
<p>Peruvian cultural officials have also criticised the behaviour and called for greater action in preserving the history of the landmark. </p>
<p>T’ika Oregón, a lawyer with the Cusco Commission of Jurists, told local media that “archaeological areas are not repositories of any type of ashes, much less of a deceased person,” reported the <em>Daily Mail</em>. </p>
<p>She also claimed that the ceremony could've been a promotional stunt orchestrated by the tour operator. </p>
<p>“It must be determined if it is an agency that is dedicating itself to this objective or if it is a person, and according to the level of participation, of seriousness, the maximum penalty will have to be given,” she said.</p>
<p>The Ministry of Culture is currently trying to identify the woman and tour agency responsible for the desecration. </p>
<p>“Machu Picchu deserves respect and protection from visitors and tourism operators, who are obliged to comply with the provisions contained in the regulations for visiting the Inca city of Machu Picchu,” they said in a statement. </p>
<p><em>Image: TikTok</em></p>
<p> </p>
