16:59 | Cusco (Cusco region), Aug. 21.
Cusco-Machu Picchu preferential tourism corridor was launched on Friday morning aimed at ensuring safety of national and international tourists visiting the most popular destinations in the region.
During the ceremony, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Magali Silva explained the program offers emergency assistance to different types of incidents occurring along the 230 km corridor passing through Cusco, Chinchero, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
The tourist police will be equipped with the Tetra system and computer equipments, and will be strategically placed in specific spots along the entire tourist route.
According to Police General Luis Beltran Pantoja Calvo, Chief at the Cusco Police Jurisdiction, the mechanism will help police officers to ensure security, prevent burglaries and robberies and assist visitors in case of emergency.
This way tourists will feel safe when arriving in air and bus terminals (both close to each other), downtown, the Sacred Valley of the Incas and even the Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu. In fact, they will be able to do it by themselves and inform of any event using an app on their cell phones.
A total of 60 Tetra equipments, 12 patrol cars and 42 permanent police officers have been set to improve police deployment along the 230 km route.
Firefighters, Civil Defense and Municipal security guards will have access to the said communication system, which will work if facing a telephone system collapse, Silva told Andina news agency.
“They will be able to [enjoy access], there will be no interference, and their incorporation will be possible. The system will work independently from telephone lines,” she added.
Highway patrol officers, High Mountain Rescue Unit (Usam) and radio car patrols will be connected, too.
(END) PHS/LIT/RMB/MVB
Published: 8/21/2015