The 68th edition of the Regional Commission of the Americas of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was inaugurated yesterday in Quito, Ecuador.
President Guillermo Lasso welcomed UNWTO authorities and representatives from 26 American member countries, highlighting Ecuador’s recognition as the host country for its favorable tourism policies.
The two-day event, jointly organized by the UNWTO and the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador, aims to foster dialogue and knowledge exchange on innovative tourism products and destinations.
It also seeks to position Ecuador as a sustainable and responsible tourism management champion.
President Lasso emphasized Ecuador’s immense tourism potential, with its diverse attractions ranging from the Galapagos Islands and the Pacific coast to the Andes Mountains and the Amazon.
Hosting the regional event is seen as a significant opportunity for the country’s development.
Lasso underscored the importance of the tourism sector, which contributes significantly to non-mining non-oil revenue and generates 600,000 jobs.
The government has implemented measures to promote tourism, including reducing Value Added Tax (VAT) during holidays to encourage spending by local and international tourists. VAT on hotel accommodations for foreigners has also been eliminated.
Other initiatives include the elimination of the Tax on the Exit of Foreign Currency for airlines and the reduction of certain taxes to lower air ticket costs and enhance connectivity.
The government has invested $47 million in tourism promotion and provided financial relief to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Lasso highlighted Ecuador’s successful efforts in recovering international and domestic connectivity, with visitor numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili praised Quito as a demonstration of the region’s tourism power and commended Ecuador’s commitment to sustainability and the protection of the Galapagos Islands.
In the post-pandemic era, Ecuador also became the first country to approve the International Code of the Law for the Protection of Tourists.
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