Ecuador is ramping up efforts to entice more visits from Canadian travellers
BEATRICE ANG
The republic of Ecuador is ramping up efforts to entice travellers to experience its authentic offerings.
“We’re here and we’re back,” enthused Santiago Granda, undersecretary of promotion for Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism at a recent roadshow in Vancouver.
Speaking to Baxter Media’s Beatrice Ang, Granda says that Ecuador is prepared to welcome Canadians to experience its many wonders. According to him, tourism was considered a low priority until 2022, when the government decided to improve infrastructure and identified key markets for tourism. This year, they made their appearance at several international trade shows including Fitur and ITB. They also plan to be at WTM.
Canada ranks among the top 10 in terms of visitor arrivals. “The quality of tourists we attract are important,” says Granda. Looking to welcome FIT and MICE travellers, the ministry is hoping to bring in international events and concerts like the Ultra Music Festival, an international electronic music event that will be held in Quito on Nov. 15.
The Ecuadorian contingent included Gustavo Reyes, Visiting Galapagos; Alexandra Molina, Andean Travel Company; Santiago Granda, undersecretary of promotion for Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism; Pamela Brito, Go Galapagos; Marcel Perkins, Latin Trails & Diego Freire, Galagents
All about connections
On this balmy evening, a contingent of nine Ecuadorian suppliers headed by Granda stopped in Vancouver for a networking cum information session with 40 local travel advisors from B.C.
Granda revealed that he was also in Vancouver in a bid to improve air connectivity between Canada and Ecuador. The country is offering tax incentives and practically eliminating fuel tax, making it more attractive to carriers. Granda, who held talks with Air Canada when he was in town, hopes to reestablish flight connections from Vancouver and Toronto to Quito. These flights stopped in 2020.
Marian Lam, Peninsula Travel; Samantha Uribe, Travel Best Bets & Myrna Bubica, Mexi-Can Holidays
A new international airport has come online at Manta (on the south coast), which receives flights from Costa Rica. There are now three airports that can cater to international arrivals, the other two being Guayauil (gateway to the Galapagos) and Quito.
Generating keen interest at the event was the announcement of a nomad visa (Rentista), which allows foreigners to live and work remotely in Ecuador for up to two years. This was warmly welcomed by One Dream Travel’s operations director Christina Wong, who said that guests were interested in long stays in Ecuador.
Identity matters
Launched this year is new tourism branding, “Expanding Our Light”. This symbolizes the year-round sunshine found in the republic and also showcases the essence of its people, with their deep appreciation for ancestral traditions, cultures and natural environs, says Granda.
Ecuadorian-made Panama hats were given to attendees who happily donned them
As such, locals are encouraged to “shine genuinely” to present Ecuador as a welcoming place with many opportunities for tourism, export, investment and environmental conservation.
For a small country (spanning 283,560 sq. km.), Ecuador is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world due to its four different geographic zones. Attractions include the natural offerings of the Galapagos, the beautiful beaches and marine biodiversity on the Pacific coast and the Andes, with the world’s highest active volcano at Cotopaxi National Park.
For 2025, the ministry hopes to promote food and cooking, artists and tours. With its heritage sites, indigenous ethnicities and many languages, Ecuador advocates authentic experiences where communities are said to still prepare food using recipes developed by their ancestors. These days, there is a generation of younger chefs who offer a blend of new and ancient cooking techniques and recipes.
This road show covered the west coast of the U.S., and Vancouver was the last and only Canadian stop. According to the Ecuadorian team, they promised they will be back soon to visit the other parts of the country.
Troy Knight, South East Travel & David Griffiths, Omega Travel with Ecuadorian suppliers Katie Beckwith, Rebecca Adventure Travel & Diego Freire, Galagents
