Since these 14 destinations on the planet became the New 7 Wonders of the World and the New 7 Wonders of Nature, they have experienced notable increases in visits. It is for that reason that most of these destinations implement new strategies to manage the success of growth, taking into account that by obtaining the title of Wonder they are committed to its care and conservation above all things.
To mention some examples, according to Meganoticias, the Christ the Redeemer (Brazil), after being named Wonder in 2007, visitors grew by 107% (which multiplied the income to the place from 1.5 to 3 million per year), this amount led to the collapse of the system they had been using.
But the solution was to install a welcome center at the base to regulate flows and extend train schedules. And in addition, improvements in the maintenance of infrastructure by the Church were promoted.
In Petra (Jordan), the sudden increase in visitors, from thousands to tens of thousands per year, began to erode rocky facades and Nabataean roads due to treads and vibrations, compromising the stability of stone-carved structures.
For this reason, the Jordanian government, with the advice of UNESCO, implemented conservation plans, which included elevated trails to reduce direct contact and seasonal access limits.
For its part, the Roman Colosseum (Italy), before the pandemic had seven million annual visits that saturated the entrances and sands, causing vibrations that accelerated cracks in the Roman arches and congestion in the walkways.
But Rome responded with tickets that have the established time of stay and virtual tours. In addition, the COVID closure allowed restorations, reopening with limited quotas.
While the legendary Mayan city Chichen Itzá (Mexico), closed 2024 as the most visited archaeological site in Mexico, with more than 2.2 million tourists, and the place was consolidated as the main cultural destination of the country, attracting both national and foreign tourists.
In this context, several works were carried out to enhance and improve the services, such as being the new Tourist and Visitor Service Center (CATVI) that not only seeks to improve attention to tourists, but also to coordinate with the Mayan Train project, whose route includes several Mayan sites, such as Chichen Itzá.
The CATVI was designed to offer archaeological, cultural and tourist information, in order to enrich the experience of the users of the Mayan Train and those who visit the archaeological zone. This effort is part of the Program for the Improvement of Archaeological Zones (Promeza), directed by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the Ministry of Culture, in order to modernize and preserve the archaeological sites along the route of the Mayan Train.
The Maya Train, for its part, is another improvement that has been made thinking about better services for residents and visitors, it began operating in December 2023, the train runs through 5 states of the Yucatan peninsula, which implies more than 1500 kilometers of railways, the most traveled route is the one that connects the cities of Mérida and Cancun and has the Chichén Itzá almost halfway. This facilitates transportation for people who are in Quintana Roo to Chichén Itzá and also to continue to the city of Mérida or in the opposite direction as well.
The Iguazu Falls (Argentina) are another example, when the campaign began to vote for the Falls to become one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in the world, the place began to receive one million visitors a year. The increase had continuity and today the destination expects to close 2025 with more than 1.5 million tutistas.
In the place, improvements have also been made in the infrastructure of the Park, in the services and the connectivity of the destination, always taking care of the value and natural richness of the place. In this context, in May of this year, the destination Iguazú, cradle of the Iguazú Falls – one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in the world, officially received the international certification “Biosphere”, which recognizes the city as the first sustainable tourist destination in Argentina. This recognition marks a milestone for the city of Puerto Iguazú and reflects the commitment of the entire community to a more responsible, inclusive and respectful tourism development model with the natural environment.
The other destinations also work to implement new strategies for development and responsible administration, with the aim of protecting these treasures, and at the same time providing an unforgettable experience for visitors who get to know these unique places in the world.