IAN STALKER
Air Canada’s again adding Quito to its network has Ecuadorean tourism officials hopeful about attracting more Canadians to a country that they proudly state is found in the “middle of the world.”
The carrier suspended its service to the Ecuadorian capital several years ago but now plans to start three-times-a-week service to Quito from Montreal on Dec. 4 and weekly service from Toronto on Dec. 5, news that’s exciting to those in Ecuador’s tourism trade. The routes will run through March.
“We are so happy to have Air Canada returning to our beautiful country,” Ecuadorean tourism consultant Francisco Dousdebes told a Sept. 29 Toronto event. “You will love this country from any angle.”
Air Canada’s Stefano Mastrantonio, who recently visited Ecuador on a fam trip, in turn said he has high hopes for the upcoming service, thanks to the nature of the destination.
“Rarely am I this excited for a new route… Our ultimate goal is to get this to be year-round,” said Mastrantonio, who cited adventure opportunities and historical attractions as being among Ecuador’s draws.
Last year saw about 35,000 Canadians visit Ecuador – the name of which is Spanish for Equator, with the country sitting right on that dividing line – and Dousdebes said he expects the upcoming non-stop service will make his homeland more attractive to Canadians.
Tourism officials promote Ecuador’s Andean, Amazon and Pacific coastal sides and the Galapagos islands as well, prompting Dousdebes asking, “What makes Ecuador special? It’s four worlds.”
Much of Ecuador’s tourism revolves around lofty Quito, with Dousdebes noting the Andean city dates back to 1534 and which received UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1978.
“This is a living historic center. People live there,” he said of Quito’s old quarter.
Quito has around 3,400 four-and five-star hotel rooms.
Area attractions include the Middle of the World Monument, which marks the Equator and has a line that enables people to have their pictures taken with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are seven volcanoes close to Quito, and the Quito area has diverse biodiversity, prompting Dousdebes to declare that, “Proximity to anything could be the slogan for Quito.”
UNESCO World Heritage Site status was also given to Cuenca, also found in the mountains.
Some 43% of Ecuadorian terrain is Amazon jungle, with Dousdebes noting that short flights from Quito will take them into that region, where they can stay in jungle lodges or go on cruises.
Those who visit the Pacific coast in the June-September period can see humpback whales with their calves, and beaches await those visitors, who can opt for such sports as surfing.
Dousdebes praised the Galapagos — which have also received UNESCO World Heritage Site status – as “one of those unique places on Earth.”
Ninety-seven per cent of the archipelago is protected from development, he noted.
Those visiting the Galapagos can go diving in a part of the world that has abundant marine life, he continued.
The Galapagos were made famous by naturalist Charles Darwin, with the islands inspiring his Theory of Evolution.
“He saved us a lot of marketing dollars when you think about it,” Dousdebes said of Darwin’s making the Galapagos internationally famous.
Among participants in the Ecuadorean delegation was Juan Villalua of Quito’s Patio Andaluz hotel, who praised Quito’s colonial architecture.
“When people visit the historic center, they will find amazing churches, beautiful museums and Ecuadorean gastronomy,” he said.
Villalua also praised his own hotel’s culinary offerings.
“We have a very nice culinary experience,” he said. “We show you how our people make traditional food with local ingredients.”
The hotel has two restaurants and a bar. More information can be found at hotelpatioandaluz.com.
