Diego Andrade: "FITUR 2024 has been a landmark event for Ecuador".
FITUR 2024 has been a landmark event for Ecuador, according to Diego Andrade Murtinho, Undersecretary for Tourism Promotion at the country's Ministry of Tourism. "It’s the first time we have been a Partner Country and we have had the largest participation in our history". Moreover, he adds, all this has come "at the most appropriate time, when we have to say to the four winds and to the whole world that it is safe to continue to travel to our country and enjoy all its wonders".
How has tourism between Spain and Ecuador evolved in recent years?
Spain is the main country in terms of tourists visiting Ecuador. This means that our Spanish brothers and sisters are the ones who visit us the most compared to other European countries, even adding them together. In 2023, around 115,000 Spaniards travelled from Madrid, which is the connecting airport to Guayaquil and Quito on two direct international flights. And everything points to a growth of more than 10% in the Spanish market in 2024. We know that Spaniards feel at home in Ecuador. Cuenca and Quito reflect the Spanish architecture and culture. And the Amazon, the coast and the Galapagos are fascinating places for the Spanish visitor.
Which tourism segments have the most potential this year?
The type of tourism that Ecuadorians are seeking the most is nature and leisure tourism, which has connections with culture, including gastronomy, architecture and contact with the people. And all of this is linked to a more mature traveller, who recognises that it takes at least ten days in a country to understand it, appreciate it, absorb it and fall in love with it. This is the tourist we are looking for and who we are sure we can convince that Ecuador is a safe place, that there is peace and tranquillity on the streets, and that it is a safe place to visit.
What boost has being a partner country of FITUR 2024 given to Ecuador's tourism?
FITUR 2024 was a historic event for Ecuador. It is the first time that we have been the host country of a trade fair, so we have sponsored, supported and had more coverage, in addition to being the largest participation ever in our history. And all of this has come at the most appropriate time, when we have to say to the four winds and to the whole world that it is safe to continue to travel to our country and enjoy all its wonders. Having a platform like FITUR has helped us immensely in order to put the right narrative in place in this regard.