Ecuador seeks to grow in Brazil with its proposal of megadiversity and gastronomic tourism
Arianna Cevallos, Ecuador’s Deputy Minister of Tourism Promotion, highlighted the destination's potential at WTM Latin America and the need to gain greater visibility in the Brazilian market
During WTM Latin America, we spoke with Arianna Cevallos about the country's strategy to attract more tourists and position its offerings in the region.
What are Ecuador's objectives for this edition of WTM Latin America?
We come with a very clear objective: to increase awareness of Brazil. Currently, Brazil represents only 1.5% of tourists visiting Ecuador, and we want to significantly increase that share.
What proposition does Ecuador seek to highlight in this market?
Ecuador offers a unique combination of vibrant culture, geographic diversity, and gastronomy. Within the same country, you can enjoy the Pacific Coast, the Andes Mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and the Galapagos Islands, all within very short distances. This megadiversity is one of our main differentiators.
What advantages does the country offer in terms of tourist experience?
We are a compact destination where you can completely change your surroundings in just a few hours. Furthermore, we have a relatively stable climate year-round, allowing you to enjoy the destination in any season and access fresh produce and a variety of experiences.
What role does gastronomy play in promoting the destination?
It's key. We're strongly promoting products like Ecuadorian coffee and cacao. At every trade fair, we include spaces dedicated to these experiences, and the public response has been very positive. High-altitude coffee and Ecuadorian chocolate are gaining international recognition.
What's new in this segment?
We're promoting routes like the cacao and coffee routes, which allow visitors to experience the country from a productive and cultural perspective. We're also making progress in developing finished products, such as chocolate, to position ourselves not only as exporters of raw materials, but also of value-added products.
How do you see the evolution of tourism demand?
Arrival numbers are growing. However, the global context presents challenges that require us to rethink our strategies. It's a scenario that affects all destinations, but we maintain an optimistic outlook and continue working to sustain and increase demand.