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, held from October 22 to 24 in Seville. With the participation of the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade and Investment, through the Vice Ministry of Tourism, and Quito Turismo, the country stood out among global leaders in the sector thanks to its focus on sustainability, data intelligence, and competitiveness.

The project “Tourism Diversification with Big Data and AI: Boosting Sustainable Experiences and National Competitiveness,” led by the Ministry and Vice-Ministry of Tourism, was recognized as one of the three best international initiatives in the “AI & Digital Innovation Excellence” category of the 2025 Tourism Awards.
Ecuador was the only Latin American country to receive an award in this category, thanks to the implementation of a comprehensive tourism intelligence system that combines advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and open data. This system optimizes decision-making, diversifies the tourism offering, and strengthens the competitiveness of destinations.

The project, developed with the support of Mabrian, a global tourism intelligence firm, has enabled the integration of multiple data sources and the monitoring of key indicators of sustainability, visitor satisfaction, and economic performance. This achievement positions Ecuador as a regional leader in data-driven tourism management, promoting a sustainable and innovative model.

The distinction also reflects the success of the collaborative vision promoted by the Vice Ministry of Tourism, which coordinates efforts between the public, private, academic and local sectors, fostering responsible and authentic experiences throughout the national territory.

Quito: a smart and sustainable destination

During the same international meeting, Quito Tourism presented the progress of the Ecuadorian capital in building a smart tourist destination model, based on sustainability, citizen participation and the efficient use of technology.

At the round table “Smart Territories in LATAM Key: Real Solutions for Global Challenges”, the acting general manager of Quito Tourism, Amelia Alejandra Ordóñez Muñoz, shared the strategies implemented by the Metropolitan District of Quito to consolidate a resilient, inclusive and digitized tourism.

The panel brought together prominent figures from the region, including Valeria Méndez Vizcay, General Director of the Municipal Tourism and Culture Entity of Mar del Plata; Federico de Arteaga, President of the Ibero-American Network of Smart Destinations; and Patricia Albanez, State Coordinator of Tourism for SEBRAE Brazil.

Thanks to their participation in the Tourism Innovation Summit 2025, Ecuador and Quito are consolidating their position as regional leaders in innovation and tourism intelligence, demonstrating that digital transformation, sustainability and the use of data are fundamental pillars for the competitive and responsible development of tourism in Latin America.