With Ecuador’s new “Life at its Purest” campaign,
officials hope to see tourism surpass banana exportation as the
country’s highest source of income.
With a $9 million budget, the campaign aims to
boost advertising and marketing of the region as well as increase
the number visitors to Ecuador and lengthen their stay.
The campaign, which kicked off Oct. 11, also
promotes “the four worlds” of the country: the Andes, Amazon,
coastal area and Galapagos Islands. Since Ecuador is about the size
of Nevada, clients can experience each part of Ecuador in one
vacation.
Aimed at U.S. travelers, the new campaign
emphasizes how simple and stress-free a trip to Ecuador can be. The
recently launched Web site offers sample itineraries and
trip-planning tools, plus information about passports, customs,
tipping practices, transportation and holidays.
Ecuador-bound travelers should know that the U.S.
dollar is the official currency, and the country is about a
five-hour flight from Miami or New York.
Once in Ecuador, officials say travel between
regions is fast and easy. Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil, has
built a modern infrastructure, including an international airport,
while retaining its historical and cultural charm.
“The Malecon 2000 development was an $80 million
project that has transformed the city’s riverside into a
magnificent public space,” said Patricio Tamariz Duenas, Ecuador’s
minister of tourism.
Officials also want travelers to lengthen their
stay by promoting must-see regions beyond the popular Galapagos
Islands. The Andes region, for example, includes the country’s
capital, Quito. Other tourist draws there include the hot springs,
festivals, the archaeological site of Ingapirca and active
volcanoes.
For those seeking ecotourism, send them to the
Ecuadorian Amazon, but for beach-bound clients especially families
the coastal area of Ecuador is a top spot.
Beyond the region’s geographical attributes, the
campaign also promotes the country’s hospitality.
“Ecuadorians are honest, warm, and service-oriented
people who truly enjoy welcoming foreign visitors to their
country,” said Duenas.
To encourage travel agent participation, officials
created the Travel Agent Ecuador Specialist program. Offered
through the Travel Agent University Web site, agents can receive
six credits and are entered to win a trip to Ecuador.
www.purecuador.com
