The objective of the research is to analyze the determining factors in business in the historic center of the city of Cusco - Peru. The study uses the descriptive-cross-sectional scope, because it independently characterizes the variables (Sampieri, 2014) at a certain moment. The infrastructure and economic determination of the business were identified as variables, being detailed by means of indicators. To determine the population, data provided by the Municipality of Cusco was used, with 912 operating licenses in the historic center, referring to formal businesses (this study excludes informal businesses). Of the total of 912 businesses, a sample of 270 interviewees was considered. In addition, representative roads of the 7 neighborhoods (sectors) of the Historic Center of Cusco were selected, to later apply the information collection instruments.

The results in the infrastructure variable with the indicators of occupation, number of rooms used, material of the premises, style of the dwelling, condition and maintenance of the premises explain that 79% of businesses use rented premises. The representative occupied area is from 36 m2 to 64 m2 with 42% and 24% respectively, so the number of rooms used highlights that 74% use 1 room for their businesses, followed by 18% with 2 rooms. The material of the premises is stone base in 40%, adobe in 37% and the style of the house is transitional 68% (Inca base). The state of the house is 73% good and maintenance is carried out in a period of 1 to 3 years. The second variable is the economic determination of the business with indicators on legal status, operating time, source of investment and rental cost.

This second variable explains that 60% of the businesses with natural status, with a period of operation of 3 to 5 years represented by 54% and 5 to 10 years represented by 15%. Similarly, the source of investment is 66% local, followed by national and foreign investment. Rental costs range from $ 1000.00 to $ 3000.00 per month, represented by 57%.

Similarly, from 2016 to 2019, the granting of operating licenses in the Historic Center of Cusco increased by 14%. So it can be confirmed that business was on the rise until 2019.