Ecuador consolidates the National Network of Best Tourism Villages with its First National Meeting
Ecuador marked a milestone in strengthening rural and community tourism with the First National Meeting of Best Tourism Villages, held in the Aguarico canton, Orellana province
The event brought together five of the six communities recognized by UN Tourism. Under this initiative, authorities and representatives from the following localities: Aguarico (host), Angochagua, Mindo, Oyacachi, and San Rafael de la Laguna gathered for this grand event.
The meeting served to consolidate the National Network of Best Tourism Villages, Ecuador Chapter, providing a space for sharing experiences, strengthening capacities, and working together to promote the national and international presence of these rural destinations, which stand out for their commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage.
During the workshops, thematic roundtables focused on local governance, digital promotion, community strengthening, solutions to socio-environmental challenges, and the exchange of best practices were developed. This generated a shared agenda for tourism management in the regions and the implementation of an Action Plan promoted by the Ministry of Tourism.
The event was accompanied by cultural, craft, and culinary displays that showcased the richness of the participating communities. It coincided with the commemoration of the centennial of the cantonization of Aguarico, adding additional symbolic value to the process.
As a result, it was established that the next meeting of the National Network of Best Tourism Villages will be held in Mindo in May 2026, ensuring the continuity and sustainability of this initiative, which strengthens Ecuador's leadership in sustainable rural tourism at the regional and global levels.
The event was organized by the Decentralized Autonomous Government of Aguarico, with the support of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism and the Corporation of Amazonian and Galapagos Municipalities (COMAGA), reaffirming the importance of collaborative work between communities, local governments, and national institutions.
Source: Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador.