The ecological sanctuary of Machu Picchu has just received a new award, this time from The World Travel Awards, which for the second consecutive year has considered the archaeological citadel of Peru as the “Best ecological destination in South America.

This institution recognizes and celebrates excellence in all sectors of the tourism and travel industry around the world, and according to The Wall Street Journal, the nominations of the tourism world are equivalent to the Oscar awards of the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences.

Machu Picchu, administered by the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (SERNANP), presents an ecology that is extremely diverse and complex, in spite of being only 0.025% of the total area of the Peruvian territory, being a refuge zone that gives around 10% of the biodiversity of the whole country.

Its life zones, genetic banks, ecosystems, and impressive diversity of flora and fauna are among the largest in South America and the world.