Meet Ecuador Seminar Outline
Speaker - Francisco Dousdebes
A.K.A. "Pancho"
ECUADOR 101
Ecuador: South America in a Nutshell Geographic set up
The country for which ‘small is beautiful’ was named
Ecuador is named after the Equator
Ecuador = Colorado = Great Britain
FOUR NATURAL REGIONS
Ecuador: Four Worlds – One Country
The Andes: Stroll the Avenue of the Volcanoes
The Coast: Enjoy White-Sands, Surfing and Fun
The Amazon: Explore a World-Class Biodiversity Hotspot
Galápagos: Discover the Cradle of Evolution
GETTING ‘ROUND
Short flights connect the country
Easy itineraries using planes and land transport
How much can you fit in to a holiday in Ecuador? A lot!
ECUADOR STATS
BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT
Different Altitudes + Tropical Climate = Biodiversity Hotspot
Measured by square mile, Ecuador is the most bio-diverse country on the
planet
Ecuador is one of the 17 Mega-Diverse countries of the world (UNESCO)
IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK!
How to get there
A short hop from North America via Miami, NY, Houston or Atlanta
Modern, safe and swift airports
REGIONS & ACTIVITIES
Andes
Discover the Avenue of the Volcanoes
Quito: the first city named a World Heritage site by UNESCO (1978)
Discover colonial and architectural gems
Ride a train through the Avenue of the Volcanoes
The wilds of Cotopaxi
Thermal springs and spas
Handicrafts and living culture
Market Mayhem
Cuenca and Inca ruins
Explore by foot, bike or horseback
The Coast
Enjoy White-Sands, Surfing and Fun
Beautiful beaches
Surf Mecca
Whale-watching
Afro-Ecuadorian culture
Hip and dynamic Guayaquil
Rural pleasures
The Amazon
Explore a World-Class Biodiversity Hotspot
The world’s largest rainforest
Continent-leader in community-based tourism and ecotourism
Lodges for all budgets
Explore a mega-biodiverse world with naturalist and indigenous guides
Galápagos:
Cruise the islands which inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution
Unique and fearless wildlife
Dramatic, volcanic landscapes
Snorkelling and scuba diving wonder
Quito Region
Touch the Sky
Historic Center: World-Class Heritage
The first World Heritage city
The largest, best-preserved and restored colonial quarter in the Americas
40 churches with beautiful chapels; 16 convents and monasteries, with
their corresponding cloisters; 12 council rooms and atriums; 17 squares.
The Reliquary of the Americas
Modern Quito: Dynamic and Fun
All the services the traveler might need
Top hotels and dining
Fun, vibrant performing arts and nightlife
Mitad del Mundo and Mindo: Life at Latitude 0
Straddle both hemispheres
Life on the Line
Cloudforest diversity
Cotopaxi: The Volcanic Myth
Discover the Avenue of the Volcanoes
Explore one of the world’s most beautiful volcanoes.
Adventure and adrenaline
Hacienda living
Blazing saddles
Otavalo and Roses:
South America’s largest handicrafts market
Shop till you drop!
Rural worlds, haciendas and adventure
Papallacta: Hot Spring Indulgence
Indulge the senses. Pamper the body.
Relax amid stunning landscapes
Fiestas and Festivals
Quiteños know how to enjoy themselves
Great times to visit:
Easter Week + Sacred Music
Summer in the City (August)
Fiestas de Quito (end Nov-beg Dec)
ITINERARIES
How to Fit it all In
21 day itinerary
15 day itinerary
10 day itinerary
8 day Quito region itinerary
THE INDUSTRY
Tourism at the Heart of the Ecuadorian Economy
International Arrivals to Ecuador
Nationalities Visiting Ecuador
NATURAL BOUNTY
Ecuador – Natural Diversity, Natural Bounty
Handicrafts
Hats
Tropical Fruits
Coffee
Cacao
Flowers and Roses
All Under the Equatorial, Ecuadorian Sun.
EASY SELL NOT HARD SELL
Selling Ecuador Couldn’t be Easier
► Closer than you think to North America
► Same time zone as Eastern Standard Time -6 GMT
► Four US gateway cities to Ecuador
► Two international airports in Ecuador
► Ecuador economy is a dollarized economy. Local currency is the US $
Dollar
► Accessible locations and easy to get around
► Varied habitats, all within Quito
► Diverse and friendly people
► Great shopping. Quality merchandise. Great bargains.
► Food paradise
► Amazing value
► Unforgettable experiences
► Twelve hours of sunlight all year round
►
Very easy to return
