The inauguration of the stand was attended by President Daniel Noboa and the Kings of Spain, along with the Ministers of Tourism, Niels Olsen; Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, Sade Fritschi, and Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries, Sonsoles García, who accompanied the Ecuador stand to strengthen the attraction of investments, sustainable and responsible tourism in the country. 48 Ecuadorian co-exhibitors, GAD representatives and the general public also attended.
This 760 square meter space is the largest that Ecuador has had at FITUR. Suitable with an orchid tunnel and the presence of Mindo butterflies, to offer its visitors a sensory experience, as well as a wall of roses and spaces where the biodiversity and pluriculturality of the country will be shown. Within the cultural activation, attendees were able to enjoy the traditional dance of the Diablada de Píllaro.
Ecuadorian cuisine was also present with gastronomic activations by chefs specialized in traditional food. In the tastings, attendees tried shrimp colonche, figs with cheese, pristiños, coffee, among other national drinks. In addition, the Quito chocolate chef Estefanía Monge performed a cooking show with Ecuadorian cocoa to the delight of those present.
Special activities
UN Tourism (formerly known as the World Tourism Organization – UNWTO), recognized Ecuador for being the first country to adhere to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT). The Minister of Tourism, Niels Olsen, received the distinction.
Likewise, the mayor of Cuenca, Cristian Zamora, received recognition on behalf of the city for his strong commitment to environmental, economic and social sustainability, and his commitment to tourism as a transversal force for the benefit of communities. In addition, UN Tourism awarded the appointment as Special Ambassador of Gastronomic Tourism to the Ecuadorian chef, Alejandra Espinoza, of the SOMOS restaurant, who will strongly promote the gastronomic and tourism promotion of Ecuador to the world.
For its part, the Iberia airline held an Ecuadorian cultural activation at its stand with a dance performance by the Quitus group. Ecuador currently maintains a daily flight between Quito and Madrid and three weekly frequencies between Guayaquil and Madrid, operated by Iberia.
During the second day of the International Tourism Fair FITUR 2024, Ecuador presented its investment portfolio in the tourism sector to more than a hundred businessmen from around the world, within the framework of the Spain-Ecuador Business Meeting, a commitment to the future, organized by the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations and the Secretary of State for Commerce of Spain (CEOE).
President Daniel Noboa attended the event and assured that a series of actions related to security have been implemented to guarantee commercial opportunities in the country.
In relation to investment in tourism, the minister of the sector, Niels Olsen, pointed out that the country has an updated investment guide developed in coordination with UN Tourism and the CAF, which details the new incentives that the country offers for capital. interested in joining the country's tourism development. With this guide, it is intended to encourage the injection of 230 million dollars distributed in 10 new tourism projects that would also benefit rural areas. Finally, he pointed out that his Ministry will continue working on the 4 axes of action determined by the 2024 Tourism Plan, which are: Legal Security, Tourism Development, Competitiveness and Promotion of the destination.
Subsequently, in a meeting with leaders of the Madrid Business Institute – IE University and Spanish businessmen, the Ecuadorian authorities discussed productivity and business issues in general in the country. In that space, chef Juan José Morán gave a presentation on the origin of the domestication of cocoa located in Ecuador and held a tasting of a dessert made with this national fruit.
On the other hand, Ecuador presented its presentation regarding the continuous improvement of legal frameworks in the context of the Tourism Law Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean, pointing out that these efforts will contribute to the progressive harmonization of tourism regulations in the region.