Previously, the U.S. government had issued a warning advising its citizens not to visit the locality due to allegedly high crime rates.
"At the request of the Regional Government of Cusco, the Government of the United States of America, through its Embassy in Peru, specified that it is safe to travel to the llaqta (citadel) of Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley of the Incas, the imperial city of Cusco, among other areas," a statement from Cusco's Regional Government said.
Last July 8, the Regional Government asked the U.S. Embassy to lift the alert urging its citizens not to visit the Peruvian city due to its allegedly high crime rates.
Finally, the U.S. reviewed its previous recommendation indicating that "there are regions such as Cusco that represent a safe option as a tourist destination for visitors," the Regional Government said.
A Commission from the US Embassy reported that the US government now considers Cusco a safe city to visit. However, it has not yet raised the alert level for our country.
Tourism is a significant economic activity for the department of Cusco, where the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is located. It accounts for 14 percent of the department's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).