Ecuador and Quito are consolidating their position as leaders in innovation and tourism intelligence in Latin America

Ecuador reaffirmed its commitment to tourism innovation during the Tourism Innovation Summit (TIS) 2025 in Seville, Spain, with the prominent participation of the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade and Investment, through the Vice Ministry of Tourism, and Quito Turismo. Ecuador's data-driven strategy for sustainable development and tourism competitiveness received significant international recognition at the "Tourism Awards 2025," while the Ecuadorian capital presented its smart destination model to global industry leaders, highlighting the commitment of Ecuadorian governments to technological innovation and sustainability as pillars of its tourism development.

The project "Tourism Diversification with Big Data and AI: Promoting Sustainable Experiences and National Competitiveness," by the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade and Investment and the Vice Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador, was recognized as one of the three best international initiatives in the "AI & Digital Innovation Excellence" category of the "Tourism Awards 2025."

Ecuador was the only Latin American country recognized in this category this year, thanks to the implementation of a comprehensive tourism intelligence system that combines advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and open data for decision-making, to diversify offerings, and improve the destination's competitiveness. Both the project recognized with this distinction and Ecuador's tourism intelligence system are supported by Mabrian, a global tourism intelligence and destination consulting firm, whose technology facilitates the integration of diverse sources of information and the monitoring of key indicators.

This recognition consolidates Ecuador as a regional leader in the strategic use of tourism intelligence as a lever for more sustainable and efficient management, based on data and knowledge, an aspect that Mabrian and the Ecuadorian Promotion Institute (PROECUADOR) addressed in a meeting with the representative of the Spanish office of this entity, Borys Alfredo Mejía Aguirre.

Furthermore, it reflects the success of the collaborative vision promoted by the Vice Ministry of Tourism, which combines the efforts of the private sector, educational institutions, and local governments, committed to the creation and promotion of responsible and authentic experiences throughout Ecuador.

Quito Tourism: A Smart Destination Model

Also during the Tourism Innovation Summit 2025, the Ecuadorian capital showcased the achievements of its smart design project in a presentation that was part of the conference agenda.  

At the roundtable discussion "Smart Territories in Latin America: Real Solutions for Global Challenges," Amelia Alejandra Ordóñez Muñoz, acting general manager of Quito Tourism, reviewed the Metropolitan District's strategies for promoting a smart tourism model based on sustainability, citizen participation, and the efficient use of technology.

During the panel, which featured experts such as Valeria Méndez Vizcay, General Director of the Municipal Tourism and Culture Agency of Mar del Plata; Federico de Arteaga, President of the Ibero-American Network of Smart Destinations; and Patricia Albanez, State Tourism Coordinator of SEBRAE Brazil; the representative of the metropolitan tourism agency of the Ecuadorian capital also shared the actions that consolidate Quito as an innovative, resilient, and connected destination.

Thanks to this international platform, which has highlighted the work of Ecuadorian tourism authorities, Ecuador reaffirms its regional leadership in tourism innovation, demonstrating that the integration of data, technology, and a sustainable vision are fundamental pillars for the future of the sector.

Source: Mabrian.