Cusco: Machu Picchu, the Inca citadel declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the modern world, began 2026 with a new visitor management system that seeks to balance tourism recovery with preservation of the archaeological site. Peru's Ministry of Culture set a limit of 4,500 visitors per day, distributed across four shifts, and established the requirement of digital reservations at least 72 hours in advance.

Tourism at Machu Picchu has historically been a source of tensions. The site received more than 1.5 million visitors per year before the pandemic, a figure that archaeologists and structural engineers considered excessive for the conservation of the Inca terraces and structures. The effects of mass tourism, combined with landslides favored by heavy rains in the wet season, create real risks for the integrity of the site.

The Impact of the Political Crisis

The political instability that has shaken Peru in recent years negatively affected tourism: the country lost about 25% of its international visitors between 2022 and 2024. The Balcázar interim government has declared tourism a priority for economic recovery and announced an international campaign with investment of 80 million soles to reposition Peru as a safe and attractive destination.

The campaign includes partnerships with digital platforms like TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and Google Travels, and agreements with airlines to increase connectivity with European, North American, and Asian markets. Bookings for the second half of 2026 exceed those of the same period of 2025 by 18%.

Cusco Beyond Machu Picchu

Peruvian authorities are also seeking to diversify Cusco's tourist offering beyond the Inca citadel. The Sacred Valley of the Incas, the city of Cusco with its colonial architecture on Inca foundations, Lake Titicaca, and the Inca Trail route are experiences that offer sustainable alternatives and ease tourist congestion toward Machu Picchu.